Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Southbend OFE and chatter

[mikel]

Hey gang,



As you can see from my signature I'm due for a clutch replacement and can't decide between the CON-O or the CON-OFE. I think the CON-O would be enough for the bombs I have now, but there is always the possibility that I'll want more in the future.



The issue I am having is that I tow a 8500lb travel trailer alot and want a clutch that is well behaved, the OFE will certainly hold more power but is it nice to live with day-to-day? I am a bit concerned that the metallic lining will chatter and grab and make the drive unpleasant. My travels generally include my wife as well as my three year old and my 8 month old, so the last thing I need is drama from the truck



I'm hoping some of you have first-hand experience with this clutch in similar usage and can offer some guidance. I am going with the 13-inch conversion to get the stronger center section so all I need is to make up my mind to go CON-O or CON-OFE.



Thanks for looking!

Mike

 

[Got Smoke?]

I've never driven it but one of my best friends here in town has a 95 5spd with a #4 plate & 370 Injectors and a 13" Con OFE. He absolutely loves it, says it smooth as butter. He's hauled a few trailers with it and hasn't had one bad thing to say about it.

 

[RonA]

I have a con-ofe also and it is quite smooth. No problems at 425 hp and light towing.

Ron

 

[BCriste]

I HATED the OFE......

I couldn't stand my OFE. I have the same truck as you without the 370's. I was told that at my power level and without having the option of installing a 4-low kit (my truck is also a 2wd) that the chatter that made the truck all but impossible to drive at low speed or back up with a trailer was actually causing spring wrap. That may have been the case and traction bars (using them to prevent spring wrap) may have helped my problem. The theory that Piers and Peter both had for my truck was that the "grabbyness" (I know that isn't a word) of my clutch, the spring rate of my truck, the load that I was pulling, and moon being aligned with the 3rd star in the 7 quadrant of the 27th galaxy ... ... ... ... . anyway..... it made the clutch feel like it chattered BAD. Peter's customer service however WAS EXCELLENT. He sent me a Con-O for FREE and said he was sorry that I ended up with the wrong clutch for my application. The Con-O is the best clutch I have ever driven in any vehicle. It is incredible how well this thing works.



THANK YOU SOUTHBEND. YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED FROM ANY COMPANY... ... . EVER.



If anyone has any questions about this, feel free to call me about it. My phone number is (386)804-0736.



Thanks again Southbend



Brian Criste

 

[K LeClair]

I'm getting ready to swap my auto for a NV4500 Oo. . I have everything except for a good clutch. I was going to go with the Con OFE as I plan on having my truck in the 350-400 HP range by mid summer. Do you think that with higher (3. 54) gearing you would get more chatter when backing up,than say lower 4. 10's. You would be slipping the clutch a little more and I think that contributes to chatter???My truck has 4. 10 so I think I am going with the CON OFE unless someone talks me out of it. Keith

 

[TPCDrafting]

No chatter on mine with the OFE unless slipping the clutch in reverse with a trailer on. I just let it out all the way or when backing up hill I use 4-low. Day to day driving is just as easy as it was with the stock clutch. The pedal might actually be a bit softer than stock. Honestly it's the same as the stock clutch when it comes to "grabbyness" (at least till the end when the stocker was slipping :-laf )

I guess we all know by now a call to Peter will answer all your questions.

 

[JGheen]

I have been running an OFE for about 3 months now and completely love it. It did chatter some in the beginning during the break-in period but now it i going away more and more each day. I don't tow or aything with it, but occasionally heavy loads and it holds up great even then. I would agree it chatters more in reverse, but if you try not to slip it and get it fully engaged the minor chatter goes away quick.

I actually had to pull the assembly back apart after a week of driving due to an oil leak from the rear main seal housing, so I ended up replacing the oil pan gasket as well. I was just really afraid to ruin my new clutch with any oil, but got it all fixed and now it it leak free and the clutch looked like it was seating well when I pulled it back apart. I will add that SBC's customer service is absolutely the best as Peter told me he would send me out a new disc if it got ruined, so that made me feel much better about the oil leak situation.

Overall, the OFE is a great clutch and very smooth. I would defiunately recommend it to anyone as it puts all the other clutches I have run to shame, hands down.



Joe

 

[Willie G]

Chatter

My Con-OFE chatters in reverse. It also has a slight chatter when starting in first. If I start in low it does not chatter. I have been disappointed with this clutch for that reason. However, it does not slip after I put in my #10 plate and 3kgsk.