SBC Dual Disc or FE???

[JCleary]

I'm about to purchase a new clutch, along with a few other goodies. I'm looking at a TST, SPS66, Bully Dog T-dog, FASS, injectors, and possibly a new cam. I have 35's and 3. 73's, so I'm worried about a chattering clutch. I also have to let the lady drive once in a while, so it needs to be a bit civil.



My questions:



1) How is everyday driveability with each clutch?



2) I was told I need to change the oil more often with a dual disk because it's harder on the transmission. Why? What's different?



3) Aside from a bit of noise, why wouldn't I want a dual disk?



Thanks in advance for helping me make a decision...

 

[zstroken]

I have an FE in mine. The pedal pressure is great. I have the 3. 54 and 2nd gear starts take a little finesse, it is best if the truck has a slight roll, if not it is kind of a slight jerk, jerk then it takes off. If your backing up a heavy load (5k or greater) up hill, if your kind of slipping it, it will get to jerking. Just shove in the clutch for 10 secs or so and it is good to go again. The double disk clutches are noisy if you have them put the straps on to hold the plates together is is quiet while disengaged, but they are still noise with the pedal out. There are no springs in the clutch plate to absorb any noise or vibration. For the money you can't beat the FE. If I had a big set of 35's on the truck that first gear was actually more than a split second start gear the FE would be almost perfect, but I don't. Your 3. 73 and the 285's might leave 2nd gear low enough to make smooth starts, then your 35's might be tall enough for useful first gear take off. I do know that it is almost impossible to do a 3rd gear boost launch. Anything more than about 4 psi and the clutch will not hold.

 

[Diesel Nut]

I have the FE and I have had issues. I am having a new one put in on monday. We'll see how it is. My buddy is having a Dual Disk installed soon and will inform you of how that goes.

I am flying home on the 26th so I should be able to hang out for a while at Kens on the 29th. My truck will still be up here waiting for a chance to hit the dyno with the new PDR cam! See ya then, huh?



Oh, and I have 3. 73's and 35's too. Just that I have 2 more! :-laf

 

[JCleary]

I have the FE and I have had issues. I am having a new one put in on monday. We'll see how it is. My buddy is having a Dual Disk installed soon and will inform you of how that goes.

I am flying home on the 26th so I should be able to hang out for a while at Kens on the 29th. My truck will still be up here waiting for a chance to hit the dyno with the new PDR cam! See ya then, huh?



Oh, and I have 3. 73's and 35's too. Just that I have 2 more! :-laf

Cool, you'll make it! Sorry to hear you have to drop the trans again...



I'll be anxious to hear about your new FE and your buddy's DD. I'm thinking I may go with the DD, cause I know I will want to do 3rd gear launches. There are just too many ricers around here



Also curious about the Piers cam. I want the same for my truck...

 

[4 wheelssmoking]

I like my DD very well, third gear launches are no problem if you have the fuel and a turbo that will spool fairly quick. This is the second DD I have had, the first was an early version from SBC. I had some problems with that one after about a year, but Peter said to send it back and he would up grade it. True to his word he did and I could not be happier with the overall performance of the clutch or with the service from South bend clutch, no slipage and 480+rear wh. hp. and 1050 tq to the ground. RAY

 

[JCleary]

I like my DD very well, third gear launches are no problem if you have the fuel and a turbo that will spool fairly quick. This is the second DD I have had, the first was an early version from SBC. I had some problems with that one after about a year, but Peter said to send it back and he would up grade it. True to his word he did and I could not be happier with the overall performance of the clutch or with the service from South bend clutch, no slipage and 480+rear wh. hp. and 1050 tq to the ground. RAY

How's the shifting with the DD? Is it slower/faster than stock?



My stock clutch can give me fits at a light trying to get into gear. Sometimes I have to shut off the truck and pump the clutch 10 times to get it to work right. Other times it works flawlessly...

 

[Jeff_K]

If you are having problems with your hydraulics, you should upgrade to the 94-97 kit that Peter sells when you do the clutch.



As far as clutches go, I think the driving manners of the new DD clutches are better than the FE. I have Haisley's DD street puller and love it. It is noisier, but you get used to it. I love the third gear launches too

 

[Diesel Nut]

I have Peters upgraded hydraulics and love them. The issues I was having involved an incorrect break in due to poor information from the person I purchased the clutch from. That started a snowball effect that ended up where we are today. However, Peter has been flat out AWESOME in helping diagnos and remedy the problem! I will buy my next clutch, whatever truck it may be, from SBC! Good cust service don't come along all the time. Thanks Peter!

 

[Snoxracer]

I have bought two clutches from Peter and am also very happy with all the help he has given.

The first clucth was an O FE which worked great till a friend of mine tried to pull the skid off the line in 4th gear, :{ low side and smoked it bad. So I ordered a FE and installed it a few weeks ago. So far it seems ok, the pedal pressure is really light, compared to the O FE. I am not sure why, I was going to call Peter and see if this was normal but haven't yet. As far as jerking it seems really smooth, but the only complaint is that when I shift from 2nd to 3rd it is hard to get in to gear. It never seemed to have a problem before, I am not sure if it is a clutch problem or what.



What is the up grade hydraulics system?



Thanks again,

Snoxracer

 

[Jeff_K]

The upgraded hydraulics are the '94-97 master/slave cylinder and a custom made master push rod. The '94-97 hydraulics are stronger than the ones we have now.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I have the South Bend DD 3850 lb 12 button CB with the 94-97 hydraulic setup on my 2001 truck, I've pulled twice with the clutch and use it mostly for my 100 mile commute to and from work. I love the clutch for what I do, if I had to drive in city traffic alot I would probably not like it as much because the effort is a little more than stock, not alot but enough to feel in stop and go traffic. When shifting it feels like stock but when holding it in you notice the effort difference.



As for the dual disk rattle, I wish mine had a little more, you can hear it but it's pretty subtle. I haven't driven a EEP dual disk so I can't honestly compare them but I was going to get thiers initially but by the time I bought my clutch SB had the bugs worked out of thiers and you can't go wrong with Peters customer service reputation. If I was doing it again the only change would be I would probably go with the 4200 lb Iron Giant, this 3850 drives so close to stock I could handle a little more effort for the extra strength.

 

[4 wheelssmoking]

J Cleary, the shifting is about like stock which was never that great any way. Definately get the master and slave update it is a bit larger and will take more plate pressure.

 

[JCleary]

Sweet.



Thanks for the advice. I'm going with the dual disk. I want a clutch that will stand up to the task of lighting up my 35's.

 

[Jeff_K]

Good choice

 

[SRadke]

DD clutched hold when you let out the pedal. If you're looking for lighting tires, twisting drivelines, or whatever you've made the proper choice.



-Scott