Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How much can the stock clutch take??

[STinsley]

Looking at doing some HP mods... . but wondering what the stock clutch can handle. I know that i need to upgrade the to the southbend con-fe for towing... but i am trying to upgrade in stages... So... where is the line.



2001 HO 6peed, building to towing 11-13K



Thanks,

Seth

 

[Wiredawg]

Still Have Stock Clutch w/ almost 400hp

My 2002 dually has stock clutch, 73K miles and has had almost 400 hp/971 ft lbs tq since truck was 4 months old.



I attribute this to luck and that fact I rev the truck out to 2500 to 2800 when pulling 17K lb 5th wheel. I don't whail down on it hard at low rpm.



Most I know ruined their clutrches w/ much lower hp/tq.



Wiredawg

 

[johncameron]

My 2002 dually has stock clutch, 73K miles and has had almost 400 hp/971 ft lbs tq since truck was 4 months old.



I attribute this to luck and that fact I rev the truck out to 2500 to 2800 when pulling 17K lb 5th wheel. I don't whail down on it hard at low rpm.



Most I know ruined their clutrches w/ much lower hp/tq.



Wiredawg

I was one of them, I was at 245HP and 689TQ when I changed mine out.

 

[STinsley]

Well that makes me full a little better. I was under the impression that the clutch could handle very little HP gains. I am not expecting to reach the 400+ hp range anytime soon... . so maybe it will last a while. Truck has 85K on it... and i have to assume it is the stock clutch.



Seth

 

[EdK]

My '99 5-speed with 3. 54 gearing will slip the clutch on settings #4 and #5 on my Edge box. I have 126K on her with original clutch and agree on keeping the revs up to prolong the clutch's life.



Ed

 

[Hohn]

Mine is still holding on for dear life. It's now holding a VA and Mach 4s

 

[RustyJC]

Mine held with the EZ and other mods but went Tango Uniform the same day the DD2 injectors went in.



Rusty

 

[nps]

My EZ toasted my stock clutch 1 week after installing it.



So far the centerforce is holding fine even when pulling 11K.

 

[johncameron]

My buddy completely lost his clutch 3 days after cahnging the injector tips on his 2001 TDI golf! It could barely make it back home for the swap out. I guess some last and others don't under BOMBED conditions.



John

 

[JRagland]

Mine slipped like it was plumbed in-line with my oil pump the day I added RV275s to the Catcher. There is now a Con FE sitting in my living room.

 

[dslmacdown]

Mine is still holding on for dear life. It's now holding a VA and Mach 4s

I don't think yours will ever slip, Justin. It will probably explode or turn to dust when it finally dies :-laf

 

[Oil Burner]

Obviously, towing heavy will make a huge difference. Mine holds with supermentals all day long empty no matter how much I hammer it around 1500 rpms. Hooked to a heavy trailer it will slip. I keep it revs up when towing.



Jason

 

[Wiredawg]

Just Another Note

I had a 2000 Ram 4X4 2500 QC w/ SO motor and 6 spd. I pretty much toasted the clutch on it w/ about 75 less HP and 120 less ft lb tq than my current 2002 3500. I pretty much shifted at low RPM and stepped into it and I raced a lot w/ 3rd gear launches.



I bought a South Bend Con O clutch but never installed as I traded up to my 2002 3500. Peter at South Bend let me exchange the clutch I never used for a Con OFe to fit my 3500 for just shipping charges and and the price difference for the stouter clutch. I'm loaded for bear if the stock clutch ever heads south. Nothing like being prepared.



Wiredawg

 

[RustyJC]

Obviously, towing heavy will make a huge difference. Mine holds with supermentals all day long empty no matter how much I hammer it around 1500 rpms. Hooked to a heavy trailer it will slip. I keep it revs up when towing.

Jason,



Mine slipped with the EZ and DD2s nailing the throttle at 1800 RPM in 5th gear (6 speed) - running empty. My wife was driving and wanted to see how it ran with the new injectors. It had never slipped towing our previous 13. 5K 5th wheel.



Goes to show, I guess - some stock clutches can take more than others. I guess mine was a 90 pound weakling! :{



Rusty

 

[Hackamore]

220k and still in there. I believe the RFF and LFF, in this case, has everything to do with it. I ease into it when the box is on and when I'm towing heavy. I know it's on borrowed time now.