Time to select a clutch for my ETH

[Steve St.Laurent]

JMHO, but I am EXTREMELY satisfied with my Donnelly modified sachs (3700 lb pressure plate, with brass pucks). I've abused it too, at least 20 3rd gear launches testing whether I could reduce my acceleration times by launching in 3rd rather than 2nd. When to the dragstrip last weekend and made about 9 passes - best was 15. 784 @ 87. 97 mph. I've also towed 20,000 lbs behind the truck with this clutch. With ALL of that I have NEVER EVER slipped the clutch in any gear! I figure I'm at around 380 hp/1000 ft/lbs (calculated numbers show higher, but I want to lowball). There are sacrifices - in reverse the clutch chatters bad, now that it's broken in and I'm used to it it's a rare day that it chatters taking off (I usually use 2nd), only in reverse. JMHO - glad I spent the extra money for the extra holding power, but the Donnelly Sachs isn't for everyone.



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax3, 275hp RV injectors, Joe Donnelly modifed Sachs Clutch, SS ladder bars, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Rob, there is no set breakin time. I always recommend that you sould go by feel. the clutch will let you know. It might be instantly or it may take a few miles. I would say that you should never get in right off the bat after installing a new clutch and go balls to the wall. Give the surfaces time to mate with each other. I did want to comment on a earlier statement about each clutch being tested before they are sold. The testing that is done is looking for release and making sure the pressure is propor as well as the fingers of the pressure plate being level. This is done on clutch tables and is done by every clutch manufacture. The clutches are not spun and put to a load as if they were in a vehicle. If they were you would be buying a used clutch and the machine to do a procedure like this would cost big bucks. As far as I know a machine such as this has not been designed yet. Peter

 

[Amianthus]

I love my McLeod! Summit is selling them for $1146. Shipping is free. I got mine through a buddy so it was cheaper, but it's the same clutch. This is the last word in HiPo clutch. But it has it's drawbacks with operation. Once you get used to them, it's no problem.
As far as the DMS (Donelly Modified Sachs), he is a standup guy and delivers a product that does exactly what he says it will do. Noone I have talked to that has his clutch speaks negatively about it.
About the South Bend Unit, they weren't around when I made my clutch choice. But I haven't heard anything bad yet. Both the DMS and the South Bend unit seem to be the clutch of choice if you want to maintain stock driveability with a higher power rig. And when price is a factor. But if you want crazy high power, the McLeod still seems to be the clutch of choice. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

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'99 2500 ISB QC SLT (No Leather!), 4x4, 5sp w/McLeod, 4:10, BD-II, PE, PE-EZ, 4"exh. , Pac-Brake, A-Pillar gauge pod w/boost and pyro, Line-X, V-1, lights, siren, lic. plt. frame says "Diesel Fumes Make Me Horny!", and much more goofy stuff.

 

[RobG]

I wonder if Summit carries the Street Twin for the ETH yet. If they do, I have doubts about it being the same price as the 5-speed. That's a good price, too. For that price, I'd take the Street Twin over the South Bend just because of the added holding power for only $300 more.

I've always been an extremist when it comes to power... never compromise, always go with the best whenever possible. So, if I can get the Twin for a very reasonable price, I will probably go that way. I really don't want to have to do this again.

And I guess there's something cool about being able to say, "yeah, I have a Street Twin in my Z28 AND in my truck. " (for after I get a Twin in the Z) #ad


Rob

 

[Amianthus]

Sorry Peter. I should've chosen my words better. I know that South Bend has been around for quite some time. I should've said that you guys hadn't entered the 5sp Cummins arena at the time I was looking. I know, from some of the racers around here, that you guys make a good product. In fact I was directed to look into South Bend (I think) when I was looking. I was also pointed at Hays, and a 1/2 dozen other high power clutch makers. But only a couple offered a solution to the HiPo clutch problem.
Again, I'm sorry for the bad choice of words. Hope I didn't give the wrong impression.

 

[HeberRam]

I'm probably one of the first to try both the 1st. generation South Bend clutch and also one of the first to install the 2nd. generation full disk for the 2001 HO 6-sp. I now have approx. 4000 miles on this clutch, and still have had no trouble whatsoever. I'm running 400+HP and 900-1000 ft. lbs. torque rear wheels. As Peter from South bend said, they are in for 95% of the clutch replacement business. Those of you who want some super performance clutch, will have to put up with high costs, grinding, and not stock like performance. This could have a damaging effect on other componets of your transmission and drive train. We have got to remmember, "bombing" does put stress on our vehicles, from injectors, fueling boxes, propane etc. I know from experience. I believe, exceeding 400HP in today's engines, requires owning a bank somewhere, and compromises everyday driving. We are fortunate, we have company's like South Bend who has taken the time to develop a product which has helped to solve a problem of our "bombing". Hats off to Joe Donnelly and others who have been pioneers in this area. All of us at TDR have a common bond, we like our Ram trucks, we like performance gains, and we share our good and bad experiences. No one vendor has the time or money to develop products, that will exceed all of our dreams. Each one of us has to decide which route to go, as far as performance levels, and the ablilty to pay for the risk taking.