Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Clutch advice needed

[Black-Smoker]

Ok here is the deal my clutch started slipping about a year ago and i called around and everybody said the centerforce was the way to go. So i bought it. I now need a clutch bad and I am leary of putting the centerforce in based on what i have read here. What should i do get a southbend like everyone says and eat the 600 bucks that i already spent or put the centerforce in and swap it out in 6 months when it dies? I hate to loose the money and throw a brand new clutch away but i dont want to have to do the job twice in six months. Anybody whant to buy a centerforce?

 

[MCummings]

See if ou can sell the Centerforce to somebody with a gasser. It should work well with either the V-8 or V-10 (Peter at SBC should know)



Get a South Bend Clutch. Peter's clutches are specifcly designed for our Diesels, and our Powerband.



The Centerforce clutch will work ok, as long as you are not running much HP. A COMP box will kill your Centerforce.



If you plan on running more than 100HP over stock, get a South Bend, if you will be running less than 100hp over stock, your Centerforce will hold out for awhile. (not as long as a South Bend though).



Merrick

 

[Got Smoke?]

Centerforce's pressure plate's are designed to hold better @ highER rpm's than our CTD's make. Therefore with such brute TQ at low RPM's they do not last very long in our trucks.



Have a buddy in Ohio that bought a Dual Friction Centerjunk a couple of years ago, put it in his 94 (160HP pump) with a TST #10 and 300 Marine injectors. Started slipping a month afterwards and centerforce said "tough!"... . he nursed it along for about a year and finally upgraded to a South Bend Dual Disk (he pulls this truck).



An old saying that holds very true to our trucks is "you get what you pay for. "



Spring for the South Bend, you won't be disappointed. Call SBC and talk to Peter and he will ask you what you intend to do with the truck, as well as what HP/TQ levels you will be at and he will sell you the correct clutch for your needs. He won't try and sell you more clutch than you need either.

 

[boydo]

Southbend is the way to go, I had mine in for 60000km now and works great. Always hooks up good and firm.

 

[Black-Smoker]

So which southbend clutch should i get I am pretty stock now with a va box, 275 injectors, and a four inch exhaust. But i do have a set of dd2's and a mad ecm on the way. I also have plans for a bigger turbo or possiably a set of twins. I do tow alot and usually heavy, over 10,000 pounds.



Thanks for your help.

 

[Got Smoke?]

So which southbend clutch should i get I am pretty stock now with a va box, 275 injectors, and a four inch exhaust. But i do have a set of dd2's and a mad ecm on the way. I also have plans for a bigger turbo or possiably a set of twins. I do tow alot and usually heavy, over 10,000 pounds.



Thanks for your help.

Call SBC and talk to Peter he will ask you a bunch of questions and then sell you the correct clutch for your application.

 

[MCummings]

Do you have a 5-speed or 6-speed?



If you have the 5-speed, get the 5-conversion clutch (it's a 6-speed clutch for your 5-speed)



An OFE will probably work really good in your situation. I ran an OFE for 20,000 miles at 457RWHP. Worked Real good, but, I think because I would slip it into oblivion occasionally (building boost in the dirt, or wet pavement to spin the tires) I created some hot spots that made it chattery when backing up curbs with the 20,000Lbs trailer I used to pull around. (plus truck)



I have an FE right now, and it's great, no chatter, light pedal, and it grabs what it needs to.



If you like to build boost before lettin' the clutch all the way out,, get an FE. If you are one to always let the clutch all the way out before gettin' on the fuel, try an OFE.





Don't get too much clutch. A dual disc clutch would suck in your application. It would be grabby, would chatter, and all sorts of funny things.



As Peter says, You have to be able to "Drive Through" your clutch. Being able to slip it when needed. A big Dual Disc on a 350-400HP truck would make life a bummer. It would be like a on/off switch.



If you are going to DD2's, and staying away from a COMP box, then the OFE should be fine, even with the twins.



If you are going to be running DD2's, and a comp box, with twins, then go for an FE. (Also consider how much you slip your clutch)



Merrick

 

[Black-Smoker]

Thanks Merrick



I have a 5 speed and your post helped me alot. I was wondering if i should go to a dual disk or the Fe. I do like to build boost sometimes if i launch from a red light. And yes a comp box is in my future. So I think that the Fe conversion looks like the right clutch for me. I also e-mailed southbend this morning to see what they say. They probobly say the same thing go with the fe conversion. Who has the best price on this clutch right now I know a lot of you guys are running them just wanted to know the best place to get it.



Thanks, Pat