Con FE question

[mgoncalves]

How does the South Bend con FE feel/behave compared to a stock clutch?



What I mean is, how drastic is the difference in engagment? Is it really an on/off type feel or is there some give to it? I've driven a 6 speed with the OFE, and I couldn't tell a difference from a stock one. I'm expecting to give up a little smoothness, I just don't know how much. I've been having visions of the old lady running people over in parking lots because of the swift engaging .





Well FE drivers, give it to me straight, is it a bear to deal with or not that much different from stock?



On another note, I once put in a rusty junkyard clutch in an old truck. That thing was extremely grabby for the first 5 minutes, you literally could not start out with out slipping the tires, that's probably what my fears are based on.





Matt

 

[rubberneck]

What do you plan to do with the truck. The FE is too grabby when trailering IMHO , not too bad when driving empty. The best way i could describe it is that when you start to let the pedal out, you get a bump bump engage. You learn how to drive around it. I had one for 30 K miles



As to your analogy, it's not a bear to deal with, but yes it is very different than stock. I would tell you it's not as smooth as the cheerleaders will tell you, but it's not as jerky as the haters are going to tell you. You probably should find sombody who has one and go for a ride.

 

[Got Smoke?]

I've ridden in a 2500 equiped with a FE that had a Comp & DD3's and engagement was a little rough. However it was not comparable to my old TST "button clutch" that was either in or out.



**these are just comments from riding in the quad cab keep in mind**

 

[Sticks]

Matt,



IMO, deal with it when it's in. Your options are either detune your truck and put a lighter clutch in (wanna trade injectors? ) or put the right clutch in to keep your power and maybe add a little more later.



So after the clutch gets through the break in period, you and the misses go find a large empty parking lot and do a little driver training.

 

[Blkdawdg]

I had an FE with a stock truck and I loved it. Engagement was super smooth and I didn't have any trouble with it grabbing.

 

[BPonci]

I had a FE clutch in mine and loved it. A little grabby but like my dad said [its a give and take,you can't have it all]. I really hate those sayings but there true.

 

[mgoncalves]

Thanks for the replies,



I sort of figured I would get a mixed response. I'm thinking I'll be fine with it, I run empty most of the time and don't want to worry about the clutch ever again. I do plan on upping the power further anyways.



I understand the "Can't have your cake and eat it too" aspect of having a clutch that holds. I am just curious how much cake I get to eat .



The install will be in two weeks, I am anxious to put the power back in this thing. It's not much fun driving a stock truck:{ .







Matt

 

[mgoncalves]

Originally posted by rubberneck

You probably should find sombody who has one and go for a ride.

I would love to, problem is everyone I know around here has the OFE.





Matt

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Matt - keep us posted - I'm going thru the same problem you are with my stock clutch, but my truck is used the majority of the time to tow our 5th wheel - so a grabby clutch is a definite handicap, especially when backing uphill into a space as we frequently have to do.



Once I swap out my clutch, a set of DDII's and a larger exhaust wiil possibly follow at some point - so I really DO want enough clutch to do the job, but also want to avoid as much downside as possible!

 

[Hohn]

Gary-- try the OFE for trailering. RustyJC has the OFE and DD2s and an EZ. He says it works really well. PM him or something to get his take.



Justin

 

[E7mack96]

My con-fe on the 2001. 5 was fine Except for backing up a loading ramp. Could not do it in 2 wheel drive high without bucking. I did not have the 2 wheel low, so i just made sure she was straight before backing up in 4 wheel low.



Otherwise, it was rock solid!!!

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I've driven two trucks with the con FE, an '03 and an '04, both 6 speeds. The clutch is almost as smooth as stock. You can get it to grab a bit compared to stock because it does hold instead of just slipping less and less like a stocker. That does not mean it is grabby or jerky. The added weight of iron rings does of course put a little more load on the synchros, but is not objectionable. You may have to push down on the pedal just a bit more for full disengagement. Overall, it is the smoothest high hp single plate clutch with the best release and engagement characteristics for those seeking a very user friendly clutch. I believe one of you could drive either of these two trucks and if you did not know in advance, you would believe it was a stock clutch, just a little better (more positive). No one ever goes to less power. Therefore, I cannot see anyone buying the con ofe when the con fe is so easy to drive. If you are into the hp range where you need something of that capability, and want stock type smoothness, just get the con fe and be done with it.

 

[mgoncalves]

Update!!

We'll put me down as one of the cheerleaders for the FE. I got it in yesterday with the help of Sticks and another friend of mine. I've put about 50 miles on it so far, it is nearly as smooth as the stock clutch. If you have to many rpm's starting out in second, it certainly wants to go, but driving normal (for me) there isn't really much difference in the engagement.



The biggest difference I've noticed is probably in the downshift. I usually match the rpms on down shifts, and can feel a bigger difference when I don't match the rpm's as compared to the stocker. The only downside I see there, is I better remember to rev it up before shifting down in the snow.





Matt

 

[NPloysa]

Good to hear you got your clutch in Matt. Sounds like a good choice for me to go with also.

 

[jrandol]

Re: Update!!

Originally posted by mgoncalves

We'll put me down as one of the cheerleaders for the FE. I got it in yesterday with the help of Sticks and another friend of mine. I've put about 50 miles on it so far, it is nearly as smooth as the stock clutch. If you have to many rpm's starting out in second, it certainly wants to go, but driving normal (for me) there isn't really much difference in the engagement.



The biggest difference I've noticed is probably in the downshift. I usually match the rpms on down shifts, and can feel a bigger difference when I don't match the rpm's as compared to the stocker. The only downside I see there, is I better remember to rev it up before shifting down in the snow.





Matt

Glad to hear it feels right!! Your truck is still speaking to me Matt, it says "Need more power, need more power!!"

 

[GiesJ]

Matt -

glad the install went well. What is the seat in period for that puppy? Can't wait to go for a ride with all the goodies hooked back up.

J

 

[mgoncalves]

Jeff, It's only a matter of time



Jason, South Bend says 200 miles. Right now I am only running the comp as an EZ and driving normal in town. If I have time this week, the injectors are going back in and also the water/meth. By next weekend I should be over the 200 miles, then it's time to see what she can do .







Matt

 

[Got Smoke?]

Glad your having good luck with it Matt, I'm ordering a 13" FE for my truck here soon.

 

[jrandol]

Originally posted by mgoncalves

Jeff, It's only a matter of time



Jason, South Bend says 200 miles. Right now I am only running the comp as an EZ and driving normal in town. If I have time this week, the injectors are going back in and also the water/meth. By next weekend I should be over the 200 miles, then it's time to see what she can do .







Matt

Patience are something I have never been good at. I am dying to see a pic of one of those famous 3rd gear launches I hear about.