Sbc Con-fe?

[CHolman]

I'm ordering a SBC on Monday next week and was wondering how the clutch felt as far as stock feel goes. I'm going to be towing a 3 horse slant on the weekends and don't want to be slamming my poor buddies around in the back because the clutch is so grabby. I do want a clutch that can handle 550 HP though... Another question. I'm looking at getting the SMARTY and heard that the Bully Dog Power Pup messes up the Smarty's ablity to read the VIN even when you put it back to stock. Can any one conferm this...

 

[mgoncalves]

I had the Con FE in my 02. You can get by with it for towing, but you do have to be aware of what you're doing every time you start out. It's pretty harsh when you are backing up.



That said, if I were buying a clutch for that power range, I'd look into a dual disc.



Matt

 

[zstroken]

don't want to be slamming my poor buddies around in the back because the clutch is so grabby

You don't want an FE then IMO. I have the 3. 54 if you have 4:10 you might be alright, but my FE is way to grabby. If I had to do it again I would use the OFE. I am going to put in the 2 wheel low kit eventually, that should help tremendously. All of this is towing about 13K. Backing up is really the worst.

 

[JasonCzerak]

I have not done any towing with my truck since the ConFE was installed. IF you start out in 1st every time, there is zero grabby-ness once things are broken in and seated. 2nd gear starts will get a one or 2 grabbs. Reverse is smooth for me.



Things got really smoothed out after I slipped the poop outa it a few times.



If you go with this clutch, get the hydrolic upgrade as well. I like the adjustable clutch engagement points and it's a bit lighter on the feet.

 

[JCleary]

With the new higher plate load ( I think Peter went from 2800# to 3200#), the OFE is rated to 550hp I believe. It will hold on a dyno, for sure. With your setup I'm reasonably confident you will not be towing at that HP level, so your clutch should hold up fine. My SPS66 will cool only about 430hp on the street. I'm "upgrading" to a SPS62... Can't wait. I hope it's the answer for me with quick spooling. I'm over the dyno day thing, I want drivability.



I went from a DD to a new OFE. I love it, it's almost as smooth as stock. It can buck a bit, but it's easy to drive around. I've found that if the clutch is feeling a bit grabby, hammer on it like you're drag racing for one pass and all is good again. I have not slipped mine yet.



I switched from a Triple Dog to a Smarty with no issues. Get the Smarty, you'll love it.

 

[RustyJC]

Even my OFE requires some attention when backing up the 5th wheel. It won't slip at idle like the stock clutch would when spotting the trailer - it'll just chatter. By bringing the engine speed up to around 1000 RPM before slipping the clutch, however, it smooths right out, and the OFE doesn't seem to mind it at all. I certainly wouldn't want to deal with a clutch that's even grabbier, but I have a 2WD with 4. 10s.



Rusty

 

[CHolman]

Well it sounds like I'm going to have to learn how to drive a stick again because I'm getting the BD short shift kit with the Hurst shifter from Tomeygun all at about the same time... Thanks guys and will probably just go with the OFE, but I'm still going to get a new fly wheel from SBC though. I'll just split the cost of the OFE and FE and get the Fast Coolers. :-laf Maybe I should change the transmission to the G5600 since my NV5600 is obsolete...