Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dual Disk Clutch??

[BSmalley]

I'm looking to replace the stock clutch in my recently acquired 2002. In my 2001 I had replaced the stock clutch with a LUK. Been reading some info on the dual disk clutch setup and was wondering what are the benefits of the dual disk? Do the benefits outweigh the additional cost? Is there any additional cost? How does it affect driveability? The truck currently has a Edge Juice/Attitude and a Smarty running. Also K&N air filter and 4" turbo back exhaust.

Thanks for any input.

Bill

 

[rkressg]

South Bend Clutch (SBC) makes one of the best DD clutches out there for these trucks. Unless you are in the 400+ HP range and/or pulling extremely heavy loads, the SBC con FE style clutch is more than sufficient. Looking at your mods, an FE would be sufficient.

When you get into the DD clutches, the pressure plates become very heavy (effort to push) and can be a PITA in traffic. I have been driving a DD in my truck for the last 7 or 8 years. I am on my 3rd one from SBC (before the 3 DDs, I had a FE which would not hold 600 hp, a TST which I never found all the parts, and the stock, which did not last too long).

I do 20k stop and go traffic per year, and am getting 2-3 years out of a DD from SBC. My current one is nearing its end of life, I am hoping to keep it until next spring, then I will replace again.

As for the benifits, if you plan on getting into much higher HP, or are doing a significant amount of heavy towing, then the DD is worth the investment. They are noisy when you disengage the clutch (you can hear the intermediate plate rattle a little).

As for driveability, it is no worse than a ceramic clutch (for the grabbiness). Until you get used to driving it, it will be like a on-off switch. It can make backing up a heavy trailer on a steep hill a little difficult, but you will get used to it.

For the DD options, I have tried the following:
3850-12CB - unsprung disks
3600-12CB - unsprung disks
3250-12CB - with levered disks

To be honest, I have not been able to tell any difference between any of them. They all grabbed the same, and I have never been able to make any of them slip.

They are expensive. I can't remember the exact amount, maybe around $2k, with all the parts (flywheel, pressure plate, throwout bearing, shipping).


On an unrelated note, throw away that K&N air filter and get an AFE (or frankly any thing else). The K&Ns do not filter well enough, and the oil can damage your IAT and MAP sensors.

 

[NIsaacs]

I gotta ask, what do you use your truck for that a dual-disk will only last two or three years



Nick

 

[rkressg]

20k/year of stop and go. I am lucky if I get my truck going more than 25 mph on the way to and from work. No matter where you stop in Pittsburgh, you are on a hill, and for all the stop lights (there are 39 on my way to work in 22. 4 miles), you can never get through any of them in more than 1 cycle (1h20m each way).

I was towing a heavy skid loader (about 12k with trailer) for a decent amount of time, but I use my 5-ton to do this now. I am sure that did not help.

 

[rubberneck]

The advantage to twin discs is simply more holding power. The pressure plate does not NEED to be that much more difficult to push. It all depends on your needs. You can get different clutch linings and pressure plate ratings. Call peter at south bend and tell him what you want and he will advise you. I do not like conFE for towing trailers. They chatter too much when trying to back up. I have had a con FE, and a con OFE as well as a couple different twin discs in my various trucks. For towing i had peter build me a twin disc with all organic linings and a I believe 3200 lb pressure plate (its been a while dont quote me) I didnt need anything that would hold up to sled abuse/drag racing and i wanted it smooth yet able to tow very heavy trailers and some HP thats why he did the twin with organic linings. Bottom line, call him he will tell you what to do.

 

[BSmalley]

Thanks or all the input. I guess I will be calling Peter. Dont think I really need the DD clutch as I dont PLAN on doing a whole lot more to the truck other than the Smarty and Edge. Rkressg. . The K&N is going. As you can see in my sig, I had an 01. 5, but recently had it totalled. Replaced it with this 2002 and it came with everything but the Smarty. I kept all my old parts so the AFE is getting installed this next weekend.

Thanks again to all.