Competition Looking for personal experiences on SBC 3850 12 CB vs 12 FB...

[GOT-Torque]

What are the differences pullin' on the track?



What are the differences drivin' on the street?



I do drive my truck most everyday, but I also live in the sticks. Not alot of stoplights around here

 

[RFlies]

I have the 12 CB it seems to be easy to drive. I haven't had any trouble daily driving it. The only trouble I have had with it is backing up a trailer. It is a little jerky.



I will be hooking it to a sled this next month in St. Joe I heard they had a pull.

 

[AFarmer]

CB will be much smoother engaging than the FB.

 

[GOT-Torque]

I've got the FE single clutch now, I assume the CB will be smoother than this? Would the FB be as grabby as my FE now or worse?

 

[AFarmer]

The CB will be smoother than the FE as far as engagement.

 

[JGheen]

I am running the CB and it engages very smoothly and have heard that the FB is much grabbier but that is to be expected due to the feramic material used on the buttons. I am kind on wishing I went with the FB instead since my truck has now become a full time sled puller.



Joe

 

[GOT-Torque]

JGheen,



Why do you wish you had the FB? To grab harder off the line or for longer times between rebuilds?

 

[jwilliams3]

I would say for the extra bit of holding strength its worth it.

You will notice a hair more firmness when it engages but not much really.



I have owned and driven both. I now have the FB unit.

 

[Highfinance97]

I recommend the Heavy duty hydraulic assembly, It helps





Michael

 

[JGheen]

JGheen,



Why do you wish you had the FB? To grab harder off the line or for longer times between rebuilds?

I purchased the CB with the intent that I was going to be using the truck still as a daily driver with the occasional sled pull and now it has become the full time sled puller since I got my '06 and I could get more benefit and life out of the FB for pulling. Not that the CB isn't going to hold up well(only time, # of hooks and heat build up will tell ) but I believe I would have been better off with the FB for pulling. What's nice about the SBC DD is I can rebuild the whole assembly for much cheaper than buying a whole new clutch and basically turn it into an FB once the current dics get toasted. According to Peter, it's all in the heat build up for these pulling clutches. He told me he has seen some CBs last lots of hooks(20+) and some last very few(less than 5). The sooner I get the thing engaged or the less slipping, the better it will last. We'll see how the CB lasts for this season of pulling and I'll get back to you when I get an FB installed.



Joe

 

[JGheen]

I recommend the Heavy duty hydraulic assembly, It helps





Michael

Got that installed not long after the clutch and it had the same pedal pressure but will not blow out any internal seals like I had happen on my original hydrolics. Couldn't believe how long the stock hydrolics lasted with the 3850 before it blew and I ordered up the HD assembly. :-laf



Joe

 

[GOT-Torque]

Would the FB be as grabby as my FE now or worse?

Anyone know how the FB would compare to my FE are far as grabbiness?



Thanks for all the input so far...

 

[Highfinance97]

Anyone know how the FB would compare to my FE are far as grabbiness?



Thanks for all the input so far...

The DD FB will grab more only because its a DD and the FE is a single.



Or in other words I believe FB is for Feramic Buttons and FE is just stands for Feramic.



Correct??



Michael

 

[jwilliams3]

As I remember the FE single was grabbier than the FB DD.

 

[GOT-Torque]

Thats what I was looking for, thanks Justin.



I'm used to my FE now (yes very grabby), I figured there is no reason to go back to a really smooth clutch now. I might as well go with the FB DD.

 

[jwilliams3]

Also take into consideration its been about 4 years since driving a single disc FE.

 

[GOT-Torque]

Do you drive you truck on the street much with your current clutch?

 

[jwilliams3]

Yeah just about every day to work and back. If I have to do alot of in town driving its better to take the wifes car or my dually since my synchros have been shot for the last 20k miles!!:-laf

 

[GOT-Torque]

Finally bit the bullet, just ordered my 3850 FB clutch Once I get it installed I'll post my opinions on the difference from my current FE clutch.



Can't say enough about the service I've received from Gus at Farmboys Diesel

 

[AFarmer]

Thanks for the order Jesse. Always glad to help.