Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) dual disc clutch's for daily use

[cjohnson]

I posted this in the comp. forum thinking more guys there would have DD clutches, but no bites. Anyone here.



I hope I can get some info from this without starting too much trouble.

Here is my situation. I'm due for a new clutch, I've managed to get 105,000 out of the stocker with some mild mods and some heavy towing, and a very little bit of sled pulling. I think I got a good one, it was one of the early 6 speed clutches on a non-HO truck.



The reality is that I won't be doing a lot of sled pulling, but I will do some, and when I do, I'd like to give it an honest effort and not have to worry about wasting a nice, new clutch. I know I could grab a low gear, ease in to it and wait until it hooks before giving it full pedal, but I'd like to give it a stronger go than that and I know the only way to do that is to run a DD clutch.



One problem here is that I also pull a 12,000 gooseneck horse trailer pretty often, so I need the clutch to be able to do that with decent manners. The problem with the full blown competion dual disc clutches is that they appear to be a bit cost prohibitive for me and possibly a bit harsh for my day to day use. .



This brings me to the South Bend "street" dual disc clutch. While it is a dual disc, it uses oranic as opposed to ferramic material, so it should have reasonable street manners. I'm wondering if it would be able to handle a few hooks a year to the sled without burning up. Or am I just as well off using a ferramic single disc. Understandably, Southbend is a bit reluctant to recommend the street DD if I plan on pulling with it. So I'm looking to see if any of you have used this clutch to pull with and also used it for hauling, and if so, how is it holding up? Keep in mind. I'm not dealing with a 500 plus horse, twin charged puller here. I'm talking street truck, edge comp, some DDII's to replace my 275's soon, and maybe a PDR hx 35 in the near future instead of my stocker. Nothing too exciting. Problem is, I know a "good" single disc can be ruined in one hook if abused properly even with a "low" horsepower truck. So the question is, am I any better off with this street DD versus say a strong single? Maybe I'm asking too much here.



No wars please.



Thanks,



Craig

 

[J.R. Adkins]

I have not ran the street DD. My comp DD from South Bend Clutch is VERY street-able!!! It is the most street friendly clutch that I have driven. If you are going to sled pull at all go with the BEST DD. You said that you want to give it an honest effort at the track. To do that you need to be able to come out of the hole with high RPM's and slip the clutch for several feet and then engage it. A organic clutch is NOT designed to slip like that. IMO go with the SBC DD COMP version. You wont regret it.



J. R.

 

[HeberRam]

Streetable yes!!!

Like J. R. said very streetable as I drive mine everyday! Go with the comp. , you won't regret it.



Steve

 

[JDailey]

JR-the"BEST DD"? That's a pretty bold statement.

 

[J.R. Adkins]

For the street... ... ..... YES!! No broken floater plates. No dead slave cyls! Easy peddle. Smooth engagement. Cant do that with a weighted clutch. And NO RATTLE!!



J. R.

 

[JDailey]

You didn't say on the street. But still that's pretty bold for a relativly unproven clutch(unproven compared to Haisley's and Mitchell's). Time will tell.

 

[J.R. Adkins]

Originally posted by J. R. Adkins

My comp DD from South Bend Clutch is VERY street-able!!! It is the most street friendly clutch that I have driven.

You must have missed this part!! LOL



Joe if you want to argue about MY OPINION you have my number!! If not then ERASE IT!!



J. R.

 

[JDailey]

Nah,I didn't miss that part. It was right before you said that you need to come out with high r's and slip it a good ways! And I was talking about street clutches. Not my weighted one. We both know what it's capable of holding!! I don't want to argue you about your opinion buddy. I know yours and you know mine. I just have a problem with people claiming something to be the "best".

 

[KWIKKURT]

Originally posted by JDailey

You didn't say on the street. But still that's pretty bold for a relativly unproven clutch(unproven compared to Haisley's and Mitchell's). Time will tell.

With the results I've had and seen repeated by dozens of other trucks with Various South Bend Clutches in the Past and Present I would'nt think that JR's Opinion is "pretty Bold".



I would say that if it's a South Bend Clutch You're running in your truck it's most likely the "Best Clutch" you can buy! Especially for Streetable use and occasional abuse!



Even though I only treat mine with the utmost care!



For extreme HP and Sled Pullin then I would consider the rest.



P. S. Ofcourse this is only my Opinion.



Kurt

 

[csevers]

He also was concerned about cost!!

The cost if is higher on some of the "comp" pullers clutches also so that comes in to play as he is concerned, no one else has mentioned that yet.



Craig

 

[Got Smoke?]

Re: He also was concerned about cost!!

Originally posted by csevers

The cost if is higher on some of the "comp" pullers clutches also so that comes in to play as he is concerned, no one else has mentioned that yet.



Craig

Craig I have found out that all of the "big 3" companies that offer Dual Disk's are around the same price.



ALL expensive... . that's basically what's made me decide to get away from pulling. I would love to do it, but I know I'd need a dual disk PLUS the bigger input shaft... . and that's just entirely too much $$.



Looks like I'll be getting a SBC Con OFE soon..... can't take this powerless truck much longer (#10 came out):{

 

[csevers]

I agree they are all expensive but

I think if someone is willing to spend 1k or more for a good single disc for heavy duty towing it might be wise to spend just a little more to get the DD (of what ever brand) and know that you have plenty of clutch for the job and a little play also, this is NOT how I did it but in hind site I should have gone and spent the little bit more once and been done with it, assuming all the DD's were available when I made my first decision, witch they weren't. The competition clutches are very pricey so you have to be serious about pulling to get one of those. As far as streetability goes everyone I talked to said the clutch they were using is very streetable and that goes for all the DD clutches.



Craig

 

[J.R. Adkins]

Re: He also was concerned about cost!!

Originally posted by csevers

The cost if is higher on some of the "comp" pullers clutches also so that comes in to play as he is concerned, no one else has mentioned that yet.



Craig

My point was to do it right the first time. Don't by a clutch not really made for the job. He said that he wanted to give it a HONEST effort and come off from the line more aggressively with out worrying about the clutch. The SBC DD comp is the answer over the SBC street.



J. R.

 

[willyslover]

just be aware of the issue with solid hub clutches [non SBC]. . they have a harmonic that goes thru the driveline at about 1600 thru 1900 RPM. . a lot of guys had some resurvation about the noise.

at least my McCloud DD did with the 98. 5 5 Sp truck I wrecked [that was in 2000]... maybe they have fixed that since I had that one.

now have a SBC FE



ON EDIT... have not hooled and do not plan to

 

[cjohnson]

Thanks for all the input guys, I know this topic always brings out some emotions on all sides. It appears that I will have to go with one of the comp DD - while cost is definitely an issue, I have found that there is a bit more variation in pricing of the "comp" versions of clutches than I thought. All of the DD are more expensive than the singles - plain and simple, so I just have to decide if it is worth it for me to spend the money, and then determine that the clutch is streetable. On the Mitchell clutch, does anybody notice any of the harmonics that have been mentioned? More importantly, has anyone noticed it makes other parts of the driveline more prone to damage as a result of nothing to absorb the shock? Keep in mind, I tow heavy and often. Please refrain from attacks on one another, I am confident that all maufacturers mentioned make quality products, that is not the question. I need to figure out what is best for me based on price and what I want out of the clutch.



Thanks again.



Craig

 

[csevers]

All Dual Disc clutches have solid hub clutch plates there is not enough room for a dampened hub in there. As I have been told they will all give you more noise in direct drive= 5th in 6spd and 4th in 5spd. i will know how bad soon.



Craig

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

The only parts you have to worry about hurting with the unsprung hubs are the input shafts.



I notice no harmonics or oscillation with my SBC Comp DD (9-puck carbonic).



The SBC is AWESOME. I pulled a bit over 272' at the sled pulls last night



It engages very smooth until you get aggressive with the clutch and throttle. After that it gets a bit hard on tires

 

[JDailey]

Kurt-I appreciate your opinion. Coming from you that means alot. How many of you guys have ever pulled with another clutch? What kind of rpm are you coming out of the hole at? Btw Mark... is 272' a landmark or something?

 

[JDailey]

.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Originally posted by JDailey

Kurt-I appreciate your opinion. Coming from you that means alot. How many of you guys have ever pulled with another clutch? What kind of rpm are you coming out of the hole at? Btw Mark... is 272' a landmark or something?

Nope, just the first time I've ever pulled.