Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Towing with a CON FE

[BWillard]

Looking to put in a Southbend CON FE behind my six speed. Is anyone using this for towing/daily driving and how are it's manners as far as being grabby around town?

 

[CRegal]

I have a FE installed in my 6-speed. It is fine around town or towing, no real issues. This is my 2nd FE however, the 1st one had issues. It slipped horrible under full power. Not quite sure why it slipped, but the foot pressure was half what the new one is, & I havent slipped it once. Peter took care of my issues no problem.

Cole



btw welcome to the board!

 

[jwilliams3]

The FE is a grabby clutch, but it is tough.



I have driven one that has pulled 2 sleds with 500hp.

It held fine.

Also, I have driven another trucked equipped with the FE and it was a little more likable, but also held great.



--Justin

 

[Cliffman]

How much HP are you putting out? Have you considered the Con OFE? Not quite as grabby and should hold around 475.

 

[RustyJC]

Although it will hold substantially more power, the Con OFE is more aggressive (read, grabby) than the stock clutch - the OFE is what we're using for towing our 13,500 lb 5th wheel (21,180 lbs GCW versus 21,500 lbs GCWR). The Con FE is even more aggressive than the OFE. Based on this, I would recommend the OFE for towing if you're under 450 rear wheel horsepower.



Rusty

 

[shawn huizenga]

I've got a 13" Con FE in my pickup, and it's been a great clutch for me, had it for about 3000 miles now. When I first got it she was pretty grabby, but it has smoothed out a lot since then, either that or I just learned how to drive the new clutch! Anyway, I've used it for around town driving, and towing around 10,000 pounds, It's been all I could ask for, no slippage, even though right now i'm about 200hp shy of the horsepower rating of the clutch! In conclusion I would highly recommend this clutch.



Shawn

 

[CFAR]

I've got it behind my 6sp, it is grabby, you will need to learn how to drive with it, I've got about 15k on mine, towed up to 10k on it no problems, if you don't need it at your present/future power level, get the ofe, its a little bit nicer.

Most of all call peter and tell him your mods and intended usage, he won't steer you wrong.

 

[Cliffman]

I ran the FE also and after about 20k it started to chatter pretty bad. Don't get me wrong, the FE is an awsome clutch but I'd rather tone down the HP than live with the chatter.

 

[TomGolden]

I've had my FE in since May 2001, put about 55K miles on it, never towed more than 5K pounds though. I have drag raced it about 20 times, had a half dozen dyno runs with it, it has never slipped once. I put down 439 HP / 827 #'s torque according to my last dyno run.



Mine has never been what I would call grabby, maybe it is and I just don't have another clutch to compare it to, as I got mine soon after getting my truck. According to Peter @ South Bend Clutch when I asked him about the FE, he responded it should be good up to 550HP / 1100 #'s torque. I do not recall the numbers for the OFE, but they are somewhat less than the FE.



I am extremely happy with my FE clutch.



Tom

 

[BWillard]

Thanks for the replys guys! I'm in the process of swapping out my auto for the 6 speed I picked up--- when I find the rest of the parts Then let the BOMBING begin



Right now just a comp box and X-hook but plan on the works once the transmission is in.