Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) to OFE or to FE

[AWeik]

i plan on buying a smarty and a clutch once my tax return shows up but im not sure which SBC is right for my truck. i know the differences between the two and ive read some stuff about engagement and what not. my question is what are the driveability differences between the OFE and the FE? what should i expect with the two? ill most likely never be towing with the truck and id like to see 400hp someday and i want it all to go to the ground. what are you expierences and recomendations? thanks for the help!

 

[jgillott]

My gut reaction would be to go with the FE if you plan on towing and adding additional power later. I've been very happy with the FE in my truck over the years that I've had it.

 

[GEdwards]

Well,



The OFE is rated for 450 hp and 1000 ft lbs



I wouldn't expect to make it to that without a different turbo or twins, 150 hp nozzles/tips, Comp/Juice/TST etc.



I would go for the OFE unless you plan on doing twins or big single or sled pulling or something severe duty



From what I've read the FE is grabby and is very hard to make the truck move inches at a time(like backing up to or with a trailer). The OFE is even considered a little grabby by some.



I'm going to order an OFE for mine, but if I had plans for twins or big power, I would probably spend the big bucks and get a dual disc organic. They are rated for 550 hp and with the organic lining it shouldn't be as grabby.

 

[Supermod56]

Get the OFE, you will love it. They are a little grabby until you get some miles on it. And as mentioned above, unless you go to twins, Mach 4's or bigger, you don't need the FE.



Tom

 

[jgillott]

..... unless you go to twins, Mach 4's or bigger, you don't need the FE.

Tom

True, but how many people that begin down the bombing slope, stop before they get to that point eventually. My point is, if you think that there is any chance you may end up there, do it now... it will cost less in the long run.



The OFE is a great clutch, that I will agree with. Just make sure that you don't end up out growing it in the near future.

 

[Reb.B]

FE, don't think other wise.

 

[EGaskamp]

I would go with a FE. Once the bombing bug bites you, you can't stop!

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Con FE. So what if it chatters, I get that at home too. Actually the clutch chatters far less, very driveable.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

FE!!!!



the chattering is minimal, and you'll eventually outgrow it

 

[PatrickCampbell]

ill most likely never be towing with the truck and id like to see 400hp someday and i want it all to go to the ground. what are you expierences and recomendations? thanks for the help!

Based on this I would say FE not OFE. OFE is more friendly and more towing. FE will hold more power.

 

[kelly4463]

Just had ( jetpilot ) put an FE in my truck it's grabby but it will hold what i throw at it :-laf

I'm going to tow the 5er to gettysburg on the 28th we will see how well the clutch does

 

[NoSeeUm]

If you go much above 450 Hp you will also need to think about head work.



Jim

 

[darkhorse]

i plan on buying a smarty and a clutch once my tax return shows up but im not sure which SBC is right for my truck. i know the differences between the two and ive read some stuff about engagement and what not. my question is what are the driveability differences between the OFE and the FE? what should i expect with the two? ill most likely never be towing with the truck and id like to see 400hp someday and i want it all to go to the ground. what are you expierences and recomendations? thanks for the help!

I was pushing near 500 hp with my old truck. The OFE never slipped. I found it smoother than the stock clutch it replaced even from the very first.

 

[Hohn]

I installed the FE on my truck, but I if I towed, the decision would have been a lot more difficult.

That said, I feel my FE is towable, just less forgiving of even slight mistakes-- dropping into 4lo is always on option if you don't need to maneuver a bunch. .

jh

 

[Tiger Rag]

I went with the OFE and I'm supposedly getting close to it's HP limits. I did 390 with 1. 5's and stock turbo, now I've got 155 hp injectors and twins. The OFE is holding well (drag raced this past weekend at Rockingham and absolutely no issues or slipping). I went OFE because I tow a 10K + gooseneck. That said, I've got some slightly higher HP aspirations at this point so we'll see if the OFE holds up. I think I can do it, just turn the box off when I'm towing, and daily driving..... just not sure if the OFE will hold on the dyno, or on the strip. Doubt I'll do much more of that anyway once I get to a plateau. I may have to look at pulling the OFE out soon though, sell it and go with the organic faced DD.

 

[isb360]

I bought my FE a year ago, along with 6-speed flywheel, and just installed it a few weeks ago. All I can say is wow! Pedal pressure is approximately half of what stock was (I'm thinkin' nooo way can this thing hold) and I broke it in by doing a weekend's worth of start, drive 0. 6 miles, back up to a loading dock, and stop. Only grabbiness or chatter happened when backing up a hill to loading dock with a load. The cure: 4wd-lo... The more it breaks in, the less chatter there is and there is almost none now.

Some patience is required getting into Reverse, but how often are you really doing that?

If you have a concern about slipping or chatter, call Peter at SBC and he can talk you through a few ways to reduce it.

And, as others have said, with the FE, you've got plenty of headroom for the BOMB bug to bite you



Tim

 

[Tcolesanti]

I would recommend buying the McLeod street twin from www.haisleymachine.com

This clutch will handle ALL your power and will not chatter, or have a lot of pedal pressure. I am not saying SBC clutches are'nt any good, I had an OFE but hated it because it chattered. I think the McLeod is a great option, sure its a few dollars more but think of the longevity here, you have 2 discs doing the work of one. As long as you don't start sled pulling it will be fine.

 

[AWeik]

ill have to do a little more research on the mcloud unit but it sounds like the FE is the clutch im looking for. I drive hard and it seems to me like the chatter isnt that big of an issue. also it will be less likley to slip if i do start putting down some heavy numbers.

 

[Tcolesanti]

That twin disc will hold more power than the FE and be smoother, I can't see a down side other than the price I guess.

 

[Rman]

I installed the FE on my truck, but I if I towed, the decision would have been a lot more difficult.



That said, I feel my FE is towable, just less forgiving of even slight mistakes-- dropping into 4lo is always on option if you don't need to maneuver a bunch. .



jh

This is what I do with my FE. 4LO makes it much easier to back large heavy trailers. It's a pain to tow with, but sure can hold well. Tough decision...