Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) SouthBend Clutch

[FLynes]

Hi all,



I am going to put in a new clutch one of these days, but I don't really know which is the best SouthBend clutch for my application. The only thing I really plan on doing is one day putting in RV275 injectors and Silverline dual exhaust. I was planning on a Quad box or Smarty, but for now I'm staying away, due to the negative feedback I've been reading on both companies.



So which is the best clutch, given what I'm going to put in my truck? Con O? Con FE? Con OFE? I know that there's HP ratings involved, but is more simply overkill? I do tow a 31' Airstream and a 26' steel Thoroughbred horse trailer.



Thanks for the replies.

 

[BigPapa]

I would recommend the OFE. Best of both worlds, smooth and strong. I currently run the Con-O and the next one will be the OFE.



Scott

 

[johncameron]

I would recommend the OFE. Best of both worlds, smooth and strong. I currently run the Con-O and the next one will be the OFE. Scott

I second that, they drive great and hold tons of pwer.



If I were you, I'd get a SMARTY with RV275's. That would be a killer combo for towing.

 

[DWeiler]

IMHO and been there done that i would say the OFE with a Smarty+Mach 1. 6'---great combo and still no loss in fuel mileage. I did not leave well enough alone and went with the Mach 4'S because my towing is very small percentage(1-2 times a year). I love the new combo but i'm at the upper end of my turbo(b1-2) for cooling when really towing heavy. If not towing really heavy and a turbo is in the future as well then the M-4/Smarty(or comp)turbo and a new SB clutch to hold all that new found power works well. My 2-cents DW

 

[zstroken]

Con OFE. I have an FE in my truck and I tow 12,000 lbs or so and it isn't that big of a deal, but if you do lots of backing up, it could be an issue. 4. 10's and small tires would help. I have 3. 54 and 33" tires on the truck.

 

[PC12Driver]

As someone who has an OFE-



There is absolutely no reason to get more clutch than you need. The "O" will be plenty strong for the mods you're planning, and the all-organic makeup will still be almost as smooth as stock. The OFE has a metal-to-metal side that is a bit grabby by nature (not bad, but you know it's there - especially towing).



Unless you're looking for room to grow hp-wise, the higher rating is pointless. You'll only be spending more money and losing some drivability to get a clutch with more holding capacity than you need.

 

[timbo]

As someone who has an OFE-



There is absolutely no reason to get more clutch than you need. The "O" will be plenty strong for the mods you're planning, and the all-organic makeup will still be almost as smooth as stock. The OFE has a metal-to-metal side that is a bit grabby by nature (not bad, but you know it's there - especially towing).



Unless you're looking for room to grow hp-wise, the higher rating is pointless. You'll only be spending more money and losing some drivability to get a clutch with more holding capacity than you need.

I also have the OFE. PC12Driver could not have explained it any better!!!!! I 2nd what he said!!!!

 

[16919]

OFE... thats what I used to have... .

 

[FLynes]

Thanks for the replies. I have absolutely no intention of going bigger on the HP, other than to improve what I believe should have come from the factory in the first place.



PC12Driver and timbo, I am following the same train of thought.



So how do I know which model clutch I need?



MU0090

MU1947

MU13-1. 375??????



Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[PC12Driver]

You'll want the MU1947 for the HO/6-Speed. The others you listed are for the 5-speeds or the 6-speed non-HO.

 

[FLynes]

Okay, thanks PC.