SBC 13", cant' decide OFE or FE?

[TradedV-10foraCummins]

I'm having a hard time deciding between the 13" OFE or FE. (Truck is a 99 5spd. ) Obviously, I want all the holding power I can get, but I don't want to make the day to day driveablilty suffer too much. I know the OFE would be smooth, but I don't know if I would push the horsepower limit of it or not. Although, I have talked to guys pushing the 13" OFE to close to 500hp with no problems. My truck has DD3's, comp box, and future plans for a PDR HX-40. I don't intend to sled pull, and I don't drag race. So, anybody have any opinions for me? Also, has anybody actually slippped the 13" OFE? How about you FE users. How is the clutch effort in stop and go traffic, trailer backing etc. ?

 

[rspinks]

I went for the FE after much debate. Pedal pressure is lighter than stock and shifts are super positive, only drawback is it grabs on engagement and doesn't like being slipped.



If you know you are going to stay under 400hp the OFE would be friendlier overall, plus a little cheaper to boot.

 

[rspinks]

I forgot to mention I only do light towing once in awhile. If I were towing and backing big trailers and had to slip the clutch I bet the FE would be a handful. A 2wd lo kit would probably be necessary.

 

[RHARVEY]

I have the 13" Con OFE and it works great. It holds and can be 'feathered' when backing a 10k trailer... oh so smooth...



Rick

 

[E7mack96]

my weeks experience with fe

Well, I had to back up to the dock in Michigan on Monday. It is a slight incline. In reverse, the truck bucks with the fe. I am gonna have to find this 2 wheel low kit. I like the grab of the fe for forward gears, though

 

[drees1]

I had the same thought when I bought my 13" ofe. But, realisticly, the force the disc can carry before slipping is the coefficient of friction times the plate load. The Fe side will have a higher coefficient of friction and take most of the load near lock up. There can't be that much difference in holding power between the two. I tow heavy, ( 20- 25k gross), but also drive empty a lot. The OFE is nice and streetable either way, and will take a lot of abuse if it needs slipping under load. You do have more pedal travel, and it takes a while for it to seat, also. I've had mine 6 months now and love it. Talk to Peter at South Bend, be honest with your needs and let him decide. You will not go wrong!!



Doug Rees

 

[JTroiano]

I have the 13" FE and I love it!! It is the same or easier on the leg. It is very sticky and takes some getting used to but can be driven without any problems. I tow about 7,000 pounds with boat and camper and have no complaints, other than it was in four low at a boat ramp and my buddy gave it some gas (Diesel) and let the clutch out when I was in the boat and he almost killed me. Peter is the best!

Jon T

 

[BPINE]

Go with the OFE you will be much happyer in the long run.

 

[Larry Willard]

Blair is right, I went through the same thing, bugged Peter enough that he referred me to several of his dealers and they all agreed the OFE was the way to go. It has been in now for about 20000 miles, over half of that is towing in excess of 13000. I am extremely satisfied with the smoothness of this clutches operation.

Larry

 

[Bob Horrell]

I have the Con OFE and tow daily. I have over 400hp and it does not slip. I get in many situations towing where I have to really use the clutch and it works flawlessly. I tow a tractor in my business and have to use 4X4 several times a week to get to the job sites. Many times I have to start out on a steep uphill in 4X4 and the clutch works really good in making a smooth start in the dirt. Too much grab and I would be digging a hole and going no where.

After I broke in the clutch, I tried one day to make it slip. No way. I had a McCleod dual disc before the Con OFE and didn't think anything would hold as good as the McCleod, but I was wrong.

It takes a little getting used to the long pedal travel, but it's no big deal. I wouldn't have any other clutch.