Clutch By Any Other Name!!!!

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I am doing some research on clutchs to determine which one that would meet my needs without loosing near stock pedal pressure. I have read about CenterForce,Northbend and a couple of others. On one of the posts I read about the clutch slipping after 4 mons use and the clutch was ruined. When backing a trailer, sometimes you can't release the clutch all the way, is this a problem?
As you can see by my signature, I use the truck to pull a 5th wheel plus it is a daily driver. The only additions that I plan is a cam plate in the 235/605 range, but nothing to go over the 700 lbs of torque.
I need some input from the clutch monitors as to what would work. I don't want to spend $500 on a clutch and one slip and its toast. .

Thanks
Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

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I know a lot of people don't like them, but so far so good with my CenterForce. I did the break in as required. After that it had a little chatter. Towed a 10,000 lb. enclosed car trailer to AZ. and back, no more chatter. #ad


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Paul A. Schmidt
95, 4X4, SLT 2500, 5 spd. , 4. 10, 270 hp. ,675ft. lb. TST, AFC spring kit,215hp. injectors,16cm2 turbo housing, Pacbrake, Walker muffler,
GearVendor O. D. , CenterForce Dual Friction clutch.
Eastern PA.

 

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RHARVEY
I'm in the same position as you. Looking at clutches.

If you are going to stay at the 700 ft. lb rating, the Centerforce will be fine (IMO). It rated for 850 ft lbs.

Once you get to 1000 + ft lbs torque & up, Things get expensive and choices are
limited #ad


I'm searching for the $600 Clutch & pressure plate that will hold 1000 ft. lbs. It dosen't exsist #ad
... . lol

Good info here. I think the higher horsepower clutches are Southbend: http://drivetrain.com/heavydutyclutch.html

Bill R
94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust, Autometer Pyro, Boost & Water temp gauges, Bosch 215 HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7º, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit, Scotty Air, Bully Dog Propane Injection, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Optima Red Tops, Geno's Exhaust Blanket, Espar Heater (won it!), Synthetic lubes throughout.



[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 01-22-2001). ]

 

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RHARVEY, you may want ot give South Bend clutch a call. 800-988-4345, talk to Andy. This may be what you are looking for.

 

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Has anyone tried the diesel dynamics clutch?

 

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I did make a couple of calls yesterday to Centerforce and also South Bend. I needed some answers before I layed down the cash. My question to both vendors was the break in time and miles and some what if's.
What would happen to the clutch if I installed it and then left on a trip pulling my 5th wheel(across I40). A tech at Centerforce said that he would not recommend it, but if I would be careful 'it might be ok'. That was not the words that I wanted to hear!
Then I called South Bend and talked to Woody for about 30 min. And I ask him the same question, and without even slowing down he said 'do it'. This was the answer that I wanted to hear, not that one you might not hurt anything, but of one go for it.
First let me add that Centerforce is a good clutch, I'm not here to knock the company. If I am going to lay out around $500 for a clutch, I want some straight answers on what it will do. Both clutches would do what I want to do, but the first one has to be 'seated in good' before it can be used like I may need to use it after the install.
Thanks for the input... .

Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

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00,
I heared they are Luk Pro Gold clutches. They won't hold in a high torque/horsepower application. Probably not even in a medium fueled truck.

RHARVEY,

From what Iv'e heard & read, the Southbend is far superior to the Centerforce. Did you get any prices by chance? (email me if you want)

I emailed Blue Chip Diesel about their clutches. He wouldn't tell me who is the manufacture, but said I wouldn't be dissapointed at any torque/hp level. He also said they would stand behind their clutch. Even if it did give us problems. #ad


http://www.bluechipdiesel.com/diesel_transmission_products.htm
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Bill R
94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust, Autometer Pyro, Boost & Water temp gauges, Bosch 215 HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7º, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit, Scotty Air, Bully Dog Propane Injection, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Optima Red Tops, Geno's Exhaust Blanket, Espar Heater (won it!), Synthetic lubes throughout.



[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 01-23-2001). ]

 

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A centerforce is a "worked" LUK clutch. I helped another TDR member put in a Centerforce DF in his heavily bombed 12V. We noticed on the presure plate side all the rivets had LUK on them. On the flywheel side they have a CS on them. If you look at the pics of the DF clutch it has not near as much material but it is obviously a different kind. So IMO a Centerforce clutch starts life as an LUK and then one side of the disc is upgraded to the CS style and the centrifigul wieghts are added to the LUK pressure plate. Which is were the stock pedal pressure comes into play. The thing worked great. We knew the break in was good but as soon as the motor was warm we were flying at 50psi down the road and have no trouble since. I also had one in my turbo gasser that would slip a new OEM clutch on the cruise. And the CF held it hard!Ooops long post sorry #ad


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Clark
1999 2500 QC SB 5spd Flowmaster 3 chamber
1968 Barracuda Formula S Viper Blue 11. 98@112

NHRA member for life

 

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I had the Diesel Dynamics clutch in my 99 and loved it. I towed a 15k 5er and never once had the clutch slip. The power was right at 320hp at the rear wheels. The pedal pressure was a little more than stock, but it sure did hold. My new Cummins has a 6speed Allison auto behind it. But it's an 8. 3 in a motorhome. I sure do miss my Dodge, but couldn't justify it with nothing to tow.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 5sp / made in Mexico /
3. 54LSD 285 75X16 AR Atlas / Hadley airhorns ISSPRO guages/Hitchhiker 5er

 

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I spun four clutches to date. The stock one died at 2,000 miles, the Mopar upgrade lasted an additional 10,000. Moving up to the Centerforce, even after properly breaking it in, it too lasted only about 3-4 months. Next came a ceramic clutch, which had terrible chatter and was poor in traffic. It lasted just shy of 40,000 miles in 500 hp usage. I am currently running a McLeod Dual Disc clutch from Jim Leonard. Price was not an option. Having a reliable clutch is the only option, and it engages smoothly, has less pedal pressure than stock, and gets my seal of approval. This is from 4 years of research and development on my part.

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Chris Timochko
AUTO WURKS DIESEL R&D TEAM
1997 5sp 4X4, Rhino Linings, Espar Heater, A. W. D. HX40 turbo, ATS 3pc Manifold, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, A. W. D. Custom Tuned Injection Pump, A. W. D. Intercooler, A. W. D. 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, A. W. D. Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, A. W. D. 6" Chrome Exhaust System, BD No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s.
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Project U96 - 1996 3500 2WD racer. A. W. D. Marine Ultra Low Compression, A. W. D. Teflon-coated Pistons, A. W. D. High Lift Camshaft, Ported and Honed Cylinder Head, Intake and Exhaust manifold; A. W. D. HX40 Turbocharger, ATS 3pc Exhaust Manifold, A. W. D. Water Injection, A. W. D. Custom Fabricated Fuel System, Race Spec A. W. D. /BD P7100 Injection Pump, A. W. D. Custom High Flow Fuel Injection Nozzles, BD Auto transmission and Custom TC, Weld Draglites, Goodyear Eagle Drag Slicks, 5" Single Stack Through The Bed, Mag-Hytec on Rear and Transmission.