Time to select a clutch for my ETH

[RobG]

I was hoping the stock one would last longer, but this morning on the way to work (only the third day since installing my DD3's), the clutch started slipping. Now, any real throttle before the turbo has spooled up causes slippage once the turbo hits.

So... I see three choices from what I remember reading:

A. McLeod Street Twin

Cliff seems to be happy with his, but I've heard there are issues with chattering and transmission noise.

B. South Bend

Blair says he likes this one.

C. Sachs

I spoke with Keith @ DD and the one he likes is the Sachs that has been modified by Joe Donnelley and uses a 5-speed flywheel. 'Course that means $1500 in parts alone. Ouch.

So... whaddaya think? I only want to do this once. I still have to put a Street Twin into my supercharged Z28 (460 hp at the wheels and more coming this fall), so I can't afford much more of this. #ad


Rob


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2001. 5 RAM 3500 QC 4x4 ETH/DEE Silver/Agate, 4. 10, USGear OD, Rickson 19. 5 Wheels, DD EZ, DD3 Injectors, SPA Guages, Psychotty, Firestone Airbags, Hellwig Rear Swaybar, Torklift Superhitch & Camper Tiedowns, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, DD 4" Exhaust, US Gear Exhaust Brake, etc.

[This message has been edited by RobG (edited 04-11-2001). ]

 

[Okie-Go]

I have a 2001. How many miles on your ride. I don't have near the power you have. I have the edge ez. No trouble so far. 21,000 miles.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[Barry]

Mine started to slip at 22K with the EZ hooked up. If I unhooked the EZ, it would not slip. HOWEVER, I did abuse the clutch moving RVs around my lot until I got a forklift to do that job. I bought another OEM clutch from the Dodge dealer and by the time I had it installed it cost me a little over $500. I was hoping that it would buy me enough time for Southbend to perfect their clutch. I do not race the truck--I work it. I do not want to put up with a bunch of hopping and chatter when backing a coach in a tight place. 'Cmon Southbend... ... ... ...

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s,LSD,EZ with elbow(28psi)Stage 1 injectors from Carl,Boost/Pyro Guages,4" Turbo back,BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover,Kleen Wheels,Energy Release,70 gal. fuel,20K Reese. 31,000 Miles on 03/01/01(Auto/Truck/RV Dealer)Honda GL 1500 SE Pearl White for fun.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

RobG and Barry, We have perfected the clutch for the 2001 ETH. Part # (MU 2001 CON-FE). We have many of them running now with great results. As for not being better then stock, I BEG TO DIFFER!!!!!!! 400+hp-propain, sounds a little better then stock. What is nice about this clutch pac is how it feels, no hard peddle, no idle clatter, no chatter, no changing flywheels, and cost. There is a testimonial on our web page under (testimonials). If you have any questions at all feel free call me at 1-800-988-4345. Peter

 

[RobG]

Peter:

Okay, so it holds 400+ hp? With my EZ and DD3's, I'm at about 325-350 rwhp now, which equates to 400 or so at the motor. Does that mean I'm going to be limited to that, or can I add another fueling box later and still be okay?

In the meantime, I'm going to set my DD EZ to "Timing Only" in an attempt to keep my current clutch in one piece until the new one goes in.

Thanks!

Rob


[This message has been edited by RobG (edited 04-10-2001). ]

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

i just had my southbend clutch installed and i'm pretty happy with it. i get a little chatter starting in 2nd at idle. if i raise the engine speed up to 1k no chatter. but there is no chatter when backing up at idle. i'm pushing over 400+hp and this clutch will not slip in 5th or 6th gear. i have got it to slip a little when launching the truck hard. i will be towing about 15k this week and will see if it holds on the passes.

jim

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if it ain't broke fix it till it is!!
2001 eth, ez box, dd2's,southbendclutch

My Ram Pics

 

[RobG]

Jim:

Please definitely post an update (either here or in its own topic) after you tow. I'll be very curious to hear how it does, especially if you put your power to use with the load.

I'm figuring at this point, if the South Bend doesn't work out, I'll just bite the bullet and order a Street Twin.

Rob

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

rob
southbend has a 12 month warranty, and they will pay for labor. that means alot to me.

jim

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if it ain't broke fix it till it is!!
2001 eth, ez box, dd2's,southbendclutch

My Ram Pics

 

[kevin1]

This is just my opinion but a clutch that is maxed out at 400 hp is a little questionable my opinion is put in the overkill do it once and be done with it I have the mcleod in my truck I am well over 400 hp and I pull the living **** out of my truck I have yet to hear the chatter and I pull areound 30,000 lbs and back it into places as for the noise any twin disc clutch will make that noise its the floater disc slapping around in there no big deal though actually now with it lopeing at an idle I don't hear the clutch, my . 02

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2001. 5 ETH/DEE 4x4, DRW QC, DD supermental injectors, EZ, HX40 machined out for more flow, Custom 4" exhaust turbo back staight pipe with 5" chrome tip in front of rear tires,spa's, mcleod clutch, fuel lines,mag hytech rear end cover,psycotty air system,relocated blow by bottle,Lucerix power heated mirrors,more to come

 

[Arcticat]

I have the Sachs and if I was doing it over again today I would make the same choice. If Jim's signature is up to date, it would appear that he has LESS power than you Rob(EZ and DDII's vs EZ and DDIII's). I am roughly at the same level as both of you guys I would guess and I have yet to slip my clutch. Be aware that the brass material gets more and more grabby the hotter it gets - I would bet this is going to be the same be it the South Bend brass clutch or the Joe D. brass clutch. If you stomp on it right off the bat when you start the truck up after it's been really damp or cold, the clutch will slip ONCE. That takes the frost off it, and then it just gets more and more aggresive. Also as Wiz said, a twin disk makes a noise when the cltuch is depressed, from the middle plate rattling around on the input shaft. It's a matter of personal preference whether you mind it or not. I think it would be well worth your time to drive around the state a little bit and see if you can't test drive a few of the HP clutches that some of the CA Bombers have installed. Good luck!

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

my sig is not up to date. i have something in my bag of tricks for bd' dyno days. i think if a guy wants to pull sleds or drag race the mcleod is a better choice than the southbend. the southbend is a feramic disc. i went with the southbend becuase all i was shooting for was 400rwhp and i'm there so the bombimg for me is over.

wiz
when you say you pull 30k do you mean a sled? or do you have a trailer that weighs that?

jim

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if it ain't broke fix it till it is!!
2001 eth, ez box, dd2's,southbendclutch

My Ram Pics

 

[willyslover]

hey WIZ1 how the hell can you hear anything with all the tire caps and metal falling off your trailer you make more noise than a garbage truck at 2:00am #ad
#ad
[got ya again]

Jim. . WIZ1 pull very heavy farm equipment and very nice smoker tractors [sled pull toys] and of course his BIG asss LOL [he is a tiny guy]

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Our goal is to build our clutches to be driver and cost friendly. We could build a clutch to hold 600hp but that has been done. We were aproached some time ago to come up with a clutch system that would provide torque, act like stock and not empty pockets. There are alot more people in the 400hp catagory then the 600hp. A clutch company can beat themselves to death triing to satisfy that 5% group. Some people will love you and some people will hate you as you see with the Mcloed clutch system. So, we decided to deal with the other 95% and realizing that everyone is not at the same levels, we tried to help out by offering different types of clutches for different levels of horse power. Not just building one clutch system and saying (here you go). We don't want to be compaired to Mcloud, we are not even stiving for that. We just want people to think and say, (South Bend Clutch) good guys, good clutch and man do thoughs guys stand behind their product. Most people that have done business with us I hope will get that impession, we can't please everyone. WIZ1, I don't beleive it is maxed at 400hp, some are running with our clutch with over 400hp. We don't Know how far it will go because Knowone has slipped it yet in 4th, 5th or 6th gear. Peter

 

[RobG]

Does anybody know what the best price is on both the South Bend and the Street Twin?

I seem to recall somebody telling me they ordered a South Bend for around $850. I have a feeling the Street Twin will be close to twice that.

Rob

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

i paid 850 plus shipping. i believe that someone has a group purchase on it right now. i think it's 10% off if you e-mail the guy but it might be over. here is another link about the southbend. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum3/HTML/002818.html

jim

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if it ain't broke fix it till it is!!
2001 eth, ez box, dd2's,southbendclutch

My Ram Pics

[This message has been edited by CUMINNTSTRKN (edited 04-11-2001). ]

 

[Bigsaint]

Rob, I bought my McLeod dual disk street for about $1300 with shipping from JVD. Real nice people to do business with. They put each McLeod together and test same to 800 lb. ft. of torque before they ship. Overall, I'm real happy with the clutch. I have a small amount of chatter at idle. Direct drive, 5th for the ETH, has no disconcernable chatter that I can hear. Pedal pressure is the same as stock.

Scott W.

White 2001. 5 3500 ETH/DEE 4X4 Quad cab SLT,tow package and camper prep,Husky liners front and rear,DiPricol pyro,boost and oil temp gauges,Edge EZ,Psychotty air,Bully Dog stage III injectors,ATS 3 piece manifold,HX40 turbo,4" BD exhaust,4" BD E-brake,McLeod clutch,Mallory 4150 lift pump,Mag-Hytec rear,Go-Rhino grill guard,Lund bug shield,PM tractor utility back up lights,Penda bed mat and blow by bottle is bye bye !!! I love the smell of diesel in the morning, it reminds me of... . VICTORY !!!
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089608" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>My Truck</font></A>
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089604" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>THE SAINTS</font></A>

 

[BHORNER]

I have a McLeod in my truck now. It does chatter in 2nd starting out. If the clutch is let out in neutral ther is a grinding noise, there is also noise in 5th under acceleration.
I am putting a South Bend in on the 20th. With the full contact 13 inch they assure me that there will be no chatter. We shall see.
In defense of the McLoed, It was very positive and shifted smoothly. I just did not like the noise and the tire chirping out of th hole. I'll post a report after the 20th.

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Barry Horner
Lake Forest
Orange County, Ca

2001, SLT+, ETH, 6 speed, White quad cab, short bed, Sport, 2wd , 3:54 anti spin, Camper Special with trailer tow, 16x8 Forged Aluminum with 265x75 tires, Fog lights, Audio controls steering wheel mounted, AM/FM cassette with CD, Travel Convenience group, Keyless entry with remote, Leather agate heated seats. Line-X bed liner. ARE LS 2 tonneau cover. Pillar mount boost and EGT. EDGE EZ and McLeod clutch.

[This message has been edited by BHORNERIS (edited 04-12-2001). ]

 

[kevin1]

Yea Gary you got me I was bustin up when I read it you know we don't change tires out here we just wait till our friends are behind us and send the tire to them to check out the tread personally I like to send a little steel in the delivery also helps it travel in a straighter line #ad
#ad
what did you think of the burner with the trailer on I figure anyone can do a burnout but can you do one without dumping the clutch and with a trailer on to boot #ad


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2001. 5 ETH/DEE 4x4, DRW QC, DD supermental injectors, EZ, HX40 machined out for more flow, Custom 4" exhaust turbo back staight pipe with 5" chrome tip in front of rear tires,spa's, mcleod clutch, fuel lines,mag hytech rear end cover,psycotty air system,relocated blow by bottle,Lucerix power heated mirrors,more to come

 

[South Bend Clutch]

You can take this information for what it's worth. We have been building hypo clutch systems for over 35 years, roundy/round, drag and just romping. We use the rigid disc because it gives a direct possitive responce. We dabbled with the diesel applications, Ford, Chevy and Dodges over 5 years ago useing the rigid type of disc. Everything seemed to be fine until the first guy came back with a transmission problem. He said we ruined his synchronizers. We said, (YEH RIGHT!!) then the second guy came in, then another. This ended up costing my company alot of money. We were not happy! Once we realized the imput shaft in the diesels has to oscillate it was like a brick hit us in the head. My advice is to call your Dealer and just ask before you make the leap or even another reputable clutch company. The idle clatter that is heard are your synchrose. Peter

 

[RobG]

Peter:

Thanks again for some very interesting info! I'll be curious to see what other posters say.

Meanwhile... a question for you. What is the recommended break-in procedure for the clutch? I'm assuming it's probably typical of any new clutch: Light use for the first 500-1000 miles. Right?

Rob