How much horsepower before upgrading a clutch?

[Roger rodbolt]

I have a friend with an '03 HO that is eligible for a factory clutch replacement due to the rattle or noise at idle. He pulls a large 5th wheel camper and plans to upgrade his power by 70-90hp when the aftermarket injectors and electronic enhancements are well tested and availability improves. Should he purchase an aftermarket clutch now and have it installed in place of the factory warrenty replacement? I know of another '03 that has an Edge box with 90hp injectors and the stock clutch doesn't slip... ... ... ... ... are the '03 clutches alot stronger then the '02's?? Thanks, Larry

 

[krabman]

I doubt you will get DC to install an aftermarket clutch as part of the TSB if thats what your getting at. Most have no problems with just an ez, if the upgrade is going to be incremental then it makes sense to put the milage on the stock unit. The price is right and when he gets to the point where its not going to hold he can always put something in that will hold. If his hp goal changes down the road it will allow him to pick a more suitable clutch when the time comes. Wouldnt be the first time someones hp goal has changed

 

[KLockliear]

If he's going to tow, ~350hp is the limit. With no towing, you can get away with around 400hp. The HO's are about 280 stock, so do the math depending on the mods.

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Thanks

Keith,

Thank you for the horsepower/clutch info, your feedback is most helpful!! Larry

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Krabman,

Good to hear that your '03 clutch is doing well with the DD box. I didn't fully explain but my friend wouldn't have asked DC to furnish an aftermarket clutch. I do have a couple used aftermarket clutches that could be installed. The owner of the 2003 in question is a TDR member on his fourth new CTD, doesn't do competition but does know how he wants his truck to perform towing. We need to get the power up a bit and to know how strong the stock clutches are . In some 2nd Gen. HO's, the clutches would hardly take a timing box and tow without slipping. Larry

 

[CATCRACKER]

towing heavy he will be able to slip the clutch w/ just ez box.

 

[krabman]

There have been 2 on here that I know of that smoked their clutch or have it slipping just with an ez when towing heavy. Mopar_Mudder and I forget the other fellows name. While I believe they got 280 at DD I have been to 2 dyno events at different locations since I got my truck and the highest number I have seen with a HO 03 is 250. 7, that would be out of more or less 10 trucks. Mine went 246. I have read others have seen a little better numbers at some other events but that truck of Lawernce's is far and away the highest number I have seen anyone report for an 03. Peter at SBC pretty much told me the same numbers that keith did in his post as far as when you might need to be purchasing a clutch but he also pointed out there was a fair bit of variance from truck to truck. I would guess the driver would be a factor as well insofar as when they are going to see a slipping clutch. Just an FYI

 

[yogibear]

Mine dyno'd 250hp with 8K mi. on it. I have been running Quadzilla's 100hp box, and towed 29,500 GCVW from Pitts. Pa. to New Orleans and back to Pitts. , and had no clutch slippage. 1200* max. egt's. 67K mi. on it now. I don't drag race or sled pull, but do tow hard, don't baby it.



Larry

 

[KLockliear]

Yogi, have you dynoed it with the box?

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by yogibear

Mine dyno'd 250hp with 8K mi. on it. I have been running Quadzilla's 100hp box, and towed 29,500 GCVW from Pitts. Pa. to New Orleans and back to Pitts. , and had no clutch slippage. 1200* max. egt's. 67K mi. on it now. I don't drag race or sled pull, but do tow hard, don't baby it.



Larry

What did you do for mileage rolling heavy like that. You brought a machine there and brought it back? That is heavy and Long and I'd like to hear more of the details. I have pulled heavy like 40K total GCWR but only 40 miles and I have pulled light for long distances but I never did both at the same time

 

[yogibear]

Keith, I haven't had the time or the opportunity to dyno it yet.

jponder, I made 8. 9 mpg going down, and 8. 4 on the return. I had those movie set dressing/make up room trailers with the Kelderman Air ride. Took a two room down, and brought a three room back. Was told they both weighed over 20K, scaled the one on return trip and it was 29,500lbs, and I onley had about 50 gal. fuel on. My trk. weighs 9650 full of fuel(165 gal. total) and me in it. (I weigh 185)They were 45' total length, 40' trl. with 5' tongue, with a 5KW gen set mounted on the tongue. With the air ride they pulled like a dream, 60 to 75mph. 1133 mi. each way.



Larry

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by yogibear

Keith, I haven't had the time or the opportunity to dyno it yet.

jponder, I made 8. 9 mpg going down, and 8. 4 on the return. I had those movie set dressing/make up room trailers with the Kelderman Air ride. Took a two room down, and brought a three room back. Was told they both weighed over 20K, scaled the one on return trip and it was 29,500lbs, and I onley had about 50 gal. fuel on. My trk. weighs 9650 full of fuel(165 gal. total) and me in it. (I weigh 185)They were 45' total length, 40' trl. with 5' tongue, with a 5KW gen set mounted on the tongue. With the air ride they pulled like a dream, 60 to 75mph. 1133 mi. each way.



Larry

AWESOME are you a hot shot?

 

[yogibear]

I don't know if I'm a hot shot, have been delivering new King of The Road 5er's from fact. to dlrs. all over the US for over 8 yrs. , once in a while a 40' 5er or TT dressing/make up trls. to movie sets. Had an unusual one about 5 yrs. ago, went empty from Ks. , to Burbank, Ca. picked up a 44' 5er full of exercise eqpt. , took it to movie set in Glen Burnie, Md. for Tim Allen, seems he wanted to work out between sets. They paid me to Ca. , to Md. , and back to Ks. , pretty good check!!



Larry