Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Clutch Sugestions Please , OFE, FE ?

[Sea01Cummer]

My goal is to get to 425ish, I do tow quiet a bit so keep that in mind. I do have to tear up a kid in one of those bumble bee cars from time to time. I would appreciate if you guys could point me to some venders aswell. I called six states , a luk vender and they had 2 kinds , stock replacement, and ceramic on both sides 600. 00. I had theLUK OFE on my Ferd and i liked it held good no problems but we all know the Cummins is a different animal. Will the cerammic be too much for me?



Thanks Steve

 

[darkhorse]

My goal is to get to 425ish, I do tow quiet a bit so keep that in mind. I do have to tear up a kid in one of those bumble bee cars from time to time. I would appreciate if you guys could point me to some venders aswell. I called six states , a luk vender and they had 2 kinds , stock replacement, and ceramic on both sides 600. 00. I had theLUK OFE on my Ferd and i liked it held good no problems but we all know the Cummins is a different animal. Will the cerammic be too much for me?



Thanks Steve

I'm running South Bend's Con OFE at that power level. It works great. No slipping & very smooth. For a little more power capacity go to the Con FE. Some find it a little grabby for backing a heavy trailer however.

 

[JLinder]

I'm running South Bend's Con OFE at that power level. It works great. No slipping & very smooth. For a little more power capacity go to the Con FE. Some find it a little grabby for backing a heavy trailer however.

I agree. I had an OFE in my last truck, one of the shelf for my 98 and I wouldn't want it any other way. When I tow it's usually pretty heavy and lots of short trips = lots of backing. I have driven FE trucks and the grabby clutch would be tolerable when empty, but not when towing IMO. Of course, lots of guys tow with a FE.

 

[Sea01Cummer]

I liked the OFE in my last truck but i was not clear if it will hold 425ish, it held 425ish in my Ferd but the torque will be alot higher with the Cummer. The OFE was as grabby as i would want when towing, it does get a little irritating when trying to back up.



Steve

 

[Scrappy]

the OFE is going to be at its limits @ 425, the FE can be used to tow but is grabby while backing. that is my experience since I have the FE and am working toward 500+ hp. (not there yet but not too far off)

 

[Jetpilot]

Steve,



Not to change the subject but are you palnning to upgrade your turbo? 425 on a stock turbo is gonna be hot plus towing with 130 HP injectors is going to produce some heat issues even with the box off... .



As for the clutch, how heavy do you tow? The OFE 425HP and towing heavy is going to right about its limit... . The FE would be a good choice but you may find it a little grabby. Personally I like the FE to be about the best clutch available for the 400-525 HP guys.



We have all of South Bend Clutch products available, if we can answer any questions please feel free to phone.



Doug Smith

www.performancedieselwarehouse.com

717-557-7060

 

[Sea01Cummer]

I will give you a call this week. I do plan to upgrade turbo, the one i want is the hx 40/35. I need to stay with the 35 exhaust housing because of my brake. If i go with the FE will this be a one time thing on my flywheel or can you turn it and go again. I hate the thought of having to buy a new flywheel in the future. I plan to keep the truck till the wheels fall off.



Steve

 

[Jetpilot]

Steve,



Your flywheel will work fine with this clutch. I would get it milled flat during the install but other than that SBC makes a FE clutch that bolts right in.



Doug

 

[J.Keith]

I've got the FE in my 2000 and the most I've ever towed is about 27k gross and I thought it was just fine.

I didn't have any problem's backing up either.

Of course I put it in low range to back up, so that probably makes a difference.

Driving empty is no sweat either. Good pedal pressure and smooth engagement.

I've never tried like a 3 pedal burnout (i baby my truck) but I think it would be WELL up to the task.

I went with the FE because I will be adding Mach 4's and water/meth or propane soon and I only wanted to buy 1 clutch

In my opinion it's a great clutch and I would buy another one

 

[GOT-Torque]

I just had to make the same decision. I however don't tow very often so I went with the SBC CON FE. I've got the old clutch out and the new one should be in by wednesday.



Olee Poole has the South Bend Clutches on sale thru today, so hurry! Oo. Oo. Oo.



www.powerbypoole.com

 

[Rman]

I tow with the FE without problems. It is touchy, but it's made me concentrate on doing it right the first time, and it also helps to put it in 4 wheel low to slow down. I didn't check to see if yours is 2wd or not though.



I'm very happy with my Southbend FE, i'm glad I chose it over the OFE. I could easily run the OFE with my current setup, but I was planning to upgrade down the road.