Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Con FE users

[rspinks]

Disclaimer: can't search for "FE", not enough letters!



I'm going to get either a Con FE or OFE. Can't say for sure I'll stay below 400-450hp so the FE is safer, however I'm concerned about "grabbiness". To be specific here's my question:



Does the FE modulate well enough to allow 2nd gear starts with "bigger" tires (285, maybe 315 future) and 3. 55 gears without chattering? This is the worst case I can think of for me "slipping" the clutch, normally I don't ride or slip the clutch and I don't do much backing trailers, etc. I plan on the 2lo kit at some point for this purpose anyways.



Peter if your reading this thanks for your input earlier, I'm just trying to reach a cross-section of FE users.



Subjective feedback and other advise is welcome of course .



Thanks all!

 

[Texas Diesel]

I have a OFE, it works great. I had a FE prior the the OFE and didnt like it because of grabbiness. The OFE is a decent compromise. I found that the FE didnt like 2nd gear starts, after a conversation with Peter, he said I didnt have enough HP ( ) to utilize the FE properly. I dont plan to add more HP and the OFE works fine, it will hold approx. 400+ HP.

 

[Kimrey]

I like my OFE. Look at sig. It's real smoth, it feels like stock!

 

[Ted Constantine]

I have been running a con-fe for seven months now. I have nothing but good things to say about it. The chatter is minor and only apparent with a driver with poor technique. I on the other hand have 4. 10s with 295s and 3. 55 would accentuate a chatter. it is a good clutch for me and I like the security of the fe over the ofe. It is just a piece of mind nothing more.



Ted

 

[Riflesmith]

I have 10,000 miles on my Con OFE. It has never slipped no matter what I threw at it. Very smooth in all situations with the only exception being a slight chatter during second gear starts(I have 295 tires and 3. 54's). Very controllable backing a trailer. I have nothing but good things to report about this clutch.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by Ted Constantine

The chatter is minor and only apparent with a driver with poor technique.

... and I like the security of the fe over the ofe.

Ted

Forgive a driver with poor technique , but why is the FE more secure than an OFE?

 

[Ted Constantine]

I'm sorry that was not intended to be as harsh as it sounded. What I am saying is when one of my sisters gets in the truck she can make it buck like a mechanical bull. Anyone that is used to driving a vehicle that requires slipping the clutch extensively due to low torque or a hesitent driver will have to adjust their style with a performance clutch of any variety.



As for the fe vs ofe. The ofe has a lower power rating and was introduced, as I always understood, to be more driver friendly than the fe. The FE has been a great clutch for me. That being said they have had some problems with individual fe clutches being very chattery and getting worse with age. I know personally of one like this and peter replaced it without being asked to do so.



one more thing should be said. The buffing of the flywheel is very important with these clutches as imperfections in the flywheel can make them very very grabby.

 

[Idaho CTD]

Texas Diesel,

The Con Fe is feramic on both sides as opposed to feramic on one side and ceramic on the other (Con OFe). The feramic material causes the grabbiness (basically metal grabing metal).



Nathan

 

[BIG BOB]

I have the Con FE, with 3:55's and 285's. I do get some chatter at times, like Ted has said, poor technique enhances the chatter. I had the OFE, but need something that held a little better. If you are not over 400 HP go with the OFE, you'll love it!

 

[TomGolden]

I think I am one of the earliest owners of the FE clutch. I had mine installed in very early May 2001. I now have about 30K miles on it. I have never towed anything with it, but I have made about 20 passes down the drag strip with it, and my Comp on 5x5



I can get it to chatter sometimes, when I am not paying as much attention as I should be when doing a 2nd gear start, but it doesn't bother me personally. I am right at 400 HP, and plan to aim for 500 within the next 2 years. I personally prefer the overkill methodology when doing most things related to my truck, so I would absolutely recommend the FE over the OFe, at least for my own use. Of course when I got mine, the OFe didn't exist yet...



But, ultimately, you need to make the best decision for your individual needs. Maybe try to find one truck with each clutch in your area and test drive them to see for yourself the differences.



Tom

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Some people get the OFE to chatter. The reason is that the flywheel is not quite surfaced properly.



I had an Fe that slipped and chattered a bit. Peter replaced it and the new one does not chatter enough to bother me. The difference was the quality of the flywheel surfacing. My clutch has taken plenty of abuse



The FE is a bullet proof clutch all the way through 550+hp.



The OFE is also an excellent clutch. The only problem is that 400hp on a cummins realy isn't much of a challenge to exceed.



fwiw,

Mark

 

[rspinks]

Thanks everybody for the input. This is a tough thing to get a feel for through discussion, it would be best to drive a truck with the FE to see how it feels.

 

[Ted Constantine]

Spinks



You can drive my truck any time you find yourself in western new york state



Ted

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

rspinks,

The only time the grabbiness is ever an issue is when backing up a very heavy load.



The FE facings don't like to slip. so when you want to move really slow there can be an issue.



I haul a$$ all the time so I have no problems



The OFE can be a little grabby in that situation too.



Don't worry about it. It is acceptable even at its worst and the best at any other time. You will be happy with either one. I would hitch up to any trailer I could and move it any way I want without hesitation. I have no doubt that the clutch will handle the load in stride.



Later,

Mark

 

[me4osu]

Another stupid question from me

I bought my truck used with 60,000 miles on it. It will occasionally chatter when I am not paying attention taking off in 2nd (and even 1st). Also, my pedal force is higher than some stock trucks I have driven.



I don't know if the previous owner installed an aftermarket clutch or not. Does the stock one chatter at all, or is it only aftermarket clutches that do this?



It would be nice to know if I already have a good clutch, then I can get some DDIIs.

 

[rspinks]

Ted - maybe I'll drop by after work today .



Me4 - if you're lucky you may have an upgraded clutch, I guess you can't talk to the original owner? If you're unlucky you may have a worn clutch or the lining may have oil on it from a leaking rear main seal. My '94 chattered (especially in damp conditions) because the rear main had leaked some oil and got onto the clutch disk.

 

[rspinks]

Decision made

Ordered the Con FE from Wildcat today, we'll see how it works in a couple of couple of weeks. Also ordered a BHAF through Cummins, life is good .