Clutches????

[Ward]

I need some help from the many TDR enthusists out there. I have 96' 3500 4-wheel drive, 215 hp. , 5 speed w/ us gear overdrive, extended cab, dually that has been mildly bombed.



I had Wentland Diesel in Milton Freewater Oregon do the work. He installed the 350 hp TST plate (which TST plate # I'm not sure) a 14cm waste gated turbo housing, a 4 in. complete exhaust, 60lb. exhaust springs, bd brake, and gauges. The installtion of the fuel plate was done by removing the pump from the engine and setting it up on a pump stand. He tuned in the power curve to get maximum tourqe in the 1,500-1,750 rpm range and did not tune for maximum horsepower. I think we calculated approximatly a 30% gain in hp over stock based on the original fuel delivery readings and the re-tuned readings again while the pump was on the pump stand. This should have me in the area of 300hp. The truck runs great! Like driving a completly different truck!



The problem appears to be with the clutch. In 5th gear if I push to the floor rpm increases to about 2,250 but vehicle speed only slowly increases. The rpm does not seem to climb any further but engine speed vs. vehicle speed is out od wack. I mean normally at 2,250 rpm in 5th over gaer I should be traveling at 70 plus miles per hour usally when I've done this test I'm at about 55-60 miles per hour. So what gives I believe I'm gettting clutch slippage. I also pull a very heavy goosneck horse trailer loaded wieght of 16,000lbs. I don't want to get stuck with a burned out clutch when I least need it pulling a fully loaded horse trailer do the long way to my question is what clutch should I be looking at??



I've talked to the guys at South Bend and it seems they have a pretty good product in the MU0090 CON 0 but I wnated to hear from some of you real world users and get your opinions. I would rather spend good money now and have a clutch that will hold up for a long time then spend a few dollars only to have the same problems happen again in a few months. The truck only has 20,000miles on it so I have to believe that the combination of the increased horspower and the heavy load of the trailer were more than the stock clutch could bear.



Thanks for any help you can provide!



My email is -- email address removed -- if you prefer to respond to me directly.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Peter at South Bend gets my vote. I tried a disk with a ceramic face on the flywheel side and organic on the pressure plate side (not a South Bend clutch) prior to talking with Peter and it chattered quite a bit on launch from 2nd gear. He suggested a Con-D for my application and it works very well. I'm sure you will get a lot of responces in favor of South Bend. Good luck on whatever direction you go.

Happy Trails

Bob

 

[drawson]

I have the Con O and it is one Super clutch, it holds my HP and is Smoooooth as silk. Peter will fix you up with the right set up!!!!

 

[Dieselnut59]

I am going to be neding a clutch in my '98. Do any of yall know what has been changed in these trucks so far as clutches through the recent years? The clutch in my '96 has held up well. I have 165,000 miles on it with the stock clutch and this thing is making some real power. My '98 has a clutch that seems weaker to me. I bought the truck used and it has 107,000 miles on it. The clutch will not disengage properly. It does not slip, but chatters and jumps when the clutch pedal is to the floor. I replaced the master/slave cylinder thing thinking it may be the problem, but no help there. I know there were minor changes made to the transmission between 96 and 98, but what else is different? I want my clutch to work as well on my 98 as my 96 has. Any ideas? Thanks, John

 

[BigBadDodge]

Con O

I only have 325 RWHP (right now) and I have had the Con-O for a few months now and love it. Holds great !!!! especially with my 4:10's and 36x14. 5 tires

 

[BigBadDodge]

Con O

I only have 325 RWHP (right now) and I have had the Con-O for a few months now and love it. Holds great !!!! especially with my 4:10's and 36x14. 5 tires

 

[Ward]

Thanks for the info so far. I think I'm leaning toards the South Bend set-up. I'm not completely sure yet whether it should be the con-o or the con-fe.



Also can anyone from the San Francisco or Sacramento area reccomend a good shop for clutch installation?

 

[BigBadDodge]

not to make your decision making process any harder but did you know they make a Con-OFE as well.



If you can't find a shop in San Fran or Sac we can put in for you up here in Santa Rosa in a day.

 

[JGK]

Ward,



I'm getting an Con O put in my '98 tomorrow. Let Peter be your guide.



BTW: I had Wentland set up my pump last spring. Good guys. Sounds like you're happy.



-Jay

 

[radixr]

I'm very happy with my Con O clutch from Peter.

 

[Sled Puller]

My sig says it all!

 

[Ted Jannetty]

I am using a Stage 2 Chatter free Star Performance engineered clutch in my truck and love it.

Smooth engagement, Stock like pedal pressure, holds 400+ hp with ease, and cost HALF of what some others cost.

 

[BPINE]

I have the South Bend con O and it holds 450 hp+ so far it is a smoth as stock. I tried 3 other types of clutches so far and this one has found a home in my truck.

 

[Garry Verheyden]

MGM,

I read your sig. " 1-3/8" input shaft " in a 5 speed?? Is this custom made, or is the 6 speed input shaft interchangable with the 5 speed? How much $$ and if it's custom made , where do I get one?

I already broke one and would like to have something stronger if I can afford it, thanks,

Garry.

 

[Blackdog]

Garry,

The clutch and input shaft that MGM has are both from Dave Mitchell (Enterprise Engine) and yes it is a special assembly for your NV4500. Their number is (740)246-6329 or look for yourself at www.enterpriseengine.com. Hope this helps.

 

[Sled Puller]

They are custom made, not 6 speed shafts. The only place to get them is www.enterpriseengine.com



They used up their stock, rebuilding Hot Shot 5 speeds last week. They ordered a new batch, and they went up in price. I would suggest ordering ahead.



The price? It HURTS.



But we know the stock one fails.

In my case, I could not afford to buy that clutch without the insurance that the input shaft would stay put.



I have heard of stockers breaking and taking everything, clutch, flywheel, bellhousing, transmission, clutch hydraulics, everything.





Enterprise sells parts to FIX problems, not to create more.

It seems that the trucks making serious horsepower end up at Enterprise eventually. I wish I would have started there, I would be $$$$$$$ ahead right now!!!!



Gene

 

[Garry Verheyden]

Thanks Eric and Gene,

I can totally relate to what Gene said about one broken part leading to the next. When I snapped my input shaft I had to buy a new clutch. The ceramic clutch I had in was only 2 months old and had to be replaced because part of the input shaft was stuck in the clutch disc and it looked more like a gear the way it was twisted. Of course I now had to resurface the flywheel for the third time (third clutch) While the transmission was out I decided it was time to put new bearings in , since there was 140,000 miles on it.

Total bill with towing , trans. parts, clutch etc. etc. was close to $2000.

Had I spent the money on a stronger input shaft all this might not have happened. Thanks for the info. I'll give these guys a call.

Garry.

 

[BigBadDodge]

I am intrested in the larger input shaft as well, looks like I better give them a call, didn't see the info on the site unless I am blind.

 

[Sled Puller]

BBD,



They don't have everything on their site, it always pays to call them, things change in the real world a lot faster than they change in cyberspace,LOL. Funny, it should be the other way around???

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Gene,



I am not sure what you paid for your input shaft upgrade but I have done some business with another company that offers a kit for the do it yourselfers. I believe it runs around $400. for everything... ... ..... 1 3/8" input shaft, throw out bearing retainer with seal, front bearing of transmission and a shim kit. With the transmission out it should only take a average joe about 15 minutes to change. I also carry a clutch that will except the 1 3/8" input in three different levels of performance. The company is called Blumenthals out of Oklahoma. They have been in business for 40 years and specialize in Dodge diesel transmissions.



I will get the exact $ amount on the input upgrade with a phone number and contact name if that price sounds good. Or, can the company that you deal with do better? What did you pay?



Peter