Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) How do you like your SBC?

[MrDiesel]

Still on the fence about my clutch... thought I'd ask some of you what your opnions are about your South Bend Clutch. The truck is a 98 QC 12V with a NV-5600. Plenty of fuel, hopefully a new SP 66/14 soon, looking for maybe 400 RWHP. I will tow ocasonally up to 10K #s. Thinking of the 13" CON OFE... How do you guys that are running them like em? I'm looking for some thing that's got near stock pedal and not real grabby...

 

[Midnite]

I had Piers put a 13" Con FE in my truck, and I absolutely love it. It's actually *less* pedal pressure than stock, but it is a bit grabby. I think you'd be really happy with a 13" Con OFE.



Mike

 

[HPetrat]

CON OFE here in my 98 12V QC 4X4 and have no complaints!

Pedal feel and holding power are great.



HP

 

[cahammer]

i love mine but i need an up grade i just helped my best friend install his sbc dd clutch this weekend it was sweet but with my mods i cant do a 3rd gear 4x4 launch in high range clutch peddal feel is wonderful and havent had any problems with it i think i just out grew mine thats all oh well :-laf

 

[JGheen]

Absolutely not complaints here, I have had mine for over 2 years now and it still works great. I even slipped it once at the drag strip due to running back to back runs and it got too hot but it still holds great. I recently put in a few more ponies and torque numbers so I am probably due for an FE or double disk sometime in the future, but the 13" OFE is still holding my power increase like a dream.



Joe

 

[MrDiesel]

i love mine but i need an up grade i just helped my best friend install his sbc dd clutch this weekend it was sweet but with my mods i cant do a 3rd gear 4x4 launch in high range clutch peddal feel is wonderful and havent had any problems with it i think i just out grew mine thats all oh well :-laf

My truck has (or will have after I get a turbo) almost the exact same mods as yours, and that's what I'm worried about. I don't want to switch out for a clutch that's right on the line b/c I'm afraid I'll slip it then when I tow (I have an EEP dual disk now but I need to replace the center disk and I don't like the pedal on it). Are you saying it's marginal for your power, or just for your dirving style? :-laf

 

[FordCummins]

The FE is a very grabby clutch, but she'll hold all day long. The OFE has a great engagement feel, and still holds well. If you dont mind a grabby clutch, and I do mean GRABBY, the FE is a great way to go.

 

[cahammer]

My truck has (or will have after I get a turbo) almost the exact same mods as yours, and that's what I'm worried about. I don't want to switch out for a clutch that's right on the line b/c I'm afraid I'll slip it then when I tow (I have an EEP dual disk now but I need to replace the center disk and I don't like the pedal on it). Are you saying it's marginal for your power, or just for your dirving style? :-laf

i can tow all day and all night with it i do sled pulling on it but the otherday i was racing my friend when i did the launch but that was a 2500rpm drop the clutch i aint moving type of thing i love the clutch but i figure if i am going to be doing that kinda stuff a dual disk would be better as for towing i have hauled a 30' gooseneck with a case backhoe on it and didnt even blink but if your right foot has lead in it and your wallet has the gold to support it sbc dual disk clutches are very streetable but i am very happy with my sbc the price was right and it now has about 40k on it and 9 pulls later hope this helps

 

[Fred Swanson]

That is the perfect clutch for what your shooting for in power/setup. Great pedal feel, and holds the power. I've had the Con OFE 13in conv in my 98 for about 2 months now, and it works great.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I have a 13" CON/OFE in my 1996 4x4 extra cab 4x4 and in my 1998 cab/chassis work truck. I had the smaller diameter (stock replacement) CON/OFE in the '98 and it SUCKED!! Hub came apart for the SECOND time. The stocker went out, so I replaced the input shaft. The input shaft design on the later transmissions (4500) is cheesier, in my opinion, than the earlier ('96) design.

Also my recommendation is to have them machine it out for the ball bearing pilot bearing. The stock pilot bearings are also crap in the less supported input shaft equipped later series 4500's. Have them machine it for the bearing but order your own made in USA bearing to fit it. They (SBC) use a cheap chinese made ball bearing. Chinese bearings SUCK! Believe me! I have had PLENTY of experience with failed cheap bearings on pallet jacks and forklifts. Get a machined for ball bearing 13" flywheel and the 13" con/ofe clutch and load it with a USA (or Japan) made ball bearing (stay away from the cheap chinese one!) and you will have a great setup. I can't remember the part number for the bearing, but when I saw they had put in a chinese made one, I went and got a USA one at the local supply house.

You will like the 13" CON/OFE. Definately get the ball bearing ready flywheel.

 

[ETaylor]

I'm goin to have to disagree with common approval of SB. I was NOT happy with mine. In my opinion I would go with another brand but that's just me. I have had a con-o and also a con-ofe. and was not happy with the result from either one. Just my 2 cents.

 

[wildmanben]

I got the OFE and its a very streetable clutch that still holds its own. I think that I am going to upgrade next year though to a DD when I get the bigger turbo... No complaints about it though.

 

[MrDiesel]

The stock pilot bearings are also crap in the less supported input shaft equipped later series 4500's. Have them machine it for the bearing but order your own made in USA bearing to fit it. .

I have a 5600 w/ 1 3/8" shaft. If I decide to go this route would you still do this mod? What's the cost involved? I'm definatley going w/ the 13" if I switch...

 

[JGheen]

I'm goin to have to disagree with common approval of SB. I was NOT happy with mine. In my opinion I would go with another brand but that's just me. I have had a con-o and also a con-ofe. and was not happy with the result from either one. Just my 2 cents.

I'd be interested to hear some reasoning behind this unhappiness with everyone else as well as myself having such great results with SBC, not to mention Peter's awesome customer service.



Joe

 

[ETaylor]

I'd be interested to hear some reasoning behind this unhappiness with everyone else as well as myself having such great results with SBC, not to mention Peter's awesome customer service.



Joe

I will agree that Peter has AWESOME customer service. He really made things right with me when my con-o went out. my truck at the time that I had SB clutches was dynoed at 315hp. The con-o i had started slipping severly and messed up the pressure plate. Peter sent me a con-ofe FREE! That's where the great customer service comes in. I put the con-ofe in my truck. The clutch worked great i liked it very well. Then trouble... . (i don't know the technical names so please bear with me) the metal things around the clutch (4 of them i think) broke and caused the clutch to go out. After this happened I got discouraged about SB products and went to a different brand. In no way am I sayin anything bad about Peter. I think he is a awesome guy for the customer service he provided just tellin what happened to me.

 

[Mad Bomber]

After install I thought we forgot something it's softer than stock. BTW love the OFE

 

[Smokin Dodge]

Mr Diesel if you are worried about slipping a single then SBC has a new very streetable DD that will hold alot of power but no sled pulling.

 

[Willie G]

They are over priced and over rated.

 

[RHARVEY]

I know your not talking about an SBC... I really would like to know where the statement "overpriced and overrated" comes from... . Need to do some product research...



Rick

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I didn't talk to Peter - I spoke to someone else there.



Very helpful - told them what I had, what upgrades were planned, etc - he told me what clutch I needed. So I bought that. Then I found out the input shaft was shot - bought that from them too. Then I read about someone using his new roller bearing pilot bearing, not the needle bearing that failed and caused my problem. Called, got Peter, said what I have done/ordered and inquired about the bearing - he sent it to me free. WOW!



I have the clutch that's "just above stock" (sorry - don't remember name). Like others said - easier pedal than stock (wife likes that part) and it has been just fine!



Next clutch will also be one of his!!



If the previous post of overrated and overpriced is for an SBC unit... . hmmm... you get what you pay for! Yea, I coulda got a clutch from my commercial account at Carquest for a little over 1/2 what I paid for the SBC unit. BUT I didn't want a stock clutch... AND. . I'd rather not do a clutch job twice AND it wouldn't be rated for what I have.



Dan