Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Which Clutch for the street, Not Sled???

[arollan]

Hey, we're working on a '95 with manual trans, 4x4, 3. 55gears. It's got TST plate #6 slid all the way forward and fuel turned up. What clutch is best for the money at this point. Exhaust is the only thing left on our list... ... ..... No twins or anything much bigger than the plate and exhaust and BHAF. We also want a good driving truck.

Is Centerforce a good option for us or are they a contender for our trucks? Thanks for the info... ... .

 

[RT66DOC]

Southbend Con-O or OFE. Call Peter at Southbend Clutch. Best advice, best service, best clutch. IMHO, of course.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Centerforce is a JOKE for our TQ levels at such low RPM's. Initially they work great, but a short while later you will be replacing it. I had a buddy put a Dual Friction Centerjunk in... . he was running a #10 plate & Bosch Marine 300 Injectors on a 94 5spd (175hp pump)..... clutch started slipping after a month of farm use hauling loads and daily driving. Centerforce just said "TOUGH" :-{} I do not recommend their clutches for any diesel application.



South Bend is the absolute best way to go, 100% customer satisfaction and a man who stands behind his product and will make it right if he has too!



Do it once do it right! SBC!



South Bend Clutch

 

[C. Harlan]

Southbend Clutch For Sure

Dont even waste your time anywhere else... I tried to tell Mark that, but he was too hard headed... I would go with an OFE personally. . Call Peter and get his opinion. He wont steer you wrong! He WILL Stand behind his products all the way though!



-Chris-

 

[Got Smoke?]

Dont even waste your time anywhere else... I tried to tell Mark that, but he was too hard headed...

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[mschoenheider]

I spent half as much as a South Bend on a Stage 3 clutch from ebay. Holds the power just fine, and tows 16k with no hub problems. I would say mine is probably a little grabbier than my friends SB OFEs, but it isnt a big deal, my wife can even drive it. Not saying SB is a bad clutch, just too pricey for my taste.

 

[Todd T]

I spent half as much as a South Bend on a Stage 3 clutch from ebay. Holds the power just fine, and tows 16k with no hub problems. I would say mine is probably a little grabbier than my friends SB OFEs, but it isnt a big deal, my wife can even drive it. Not saying SB is a bad clutch, just too pricey for my taste.

I read: eBay and grabby, does that pretty much sum it up for the half priced clutch?



now lets talk about customer service and value: I've had 3 of Peter's clutchs and they just keep getting better. I can slip this dual disc and park my 10K trailer anywhere i point it better than i could have ever dreamed with either the O or OFE i had before. heck i even backed it in the driveway one night with the parking brake on and had zero trouble. no grabbing what-so-ever.

 

[mschoenheider]

I read: eBay and grabby, does that pretty much sum it up for the half priced clutch?



now lets talk about customer service and value: I've had 3 of Peter's clutchs and they just keep getting better. I can slip this dual disc and park my 10K trailer anywhere i point it better than i could have ever dreamed with either the O or OFE i had before. heck i even backed it in the driveway one night with the parking brake on and had zero trouble. no grabbing what-so-ever.

SBC=VALUE?????









sorry for the delay, I had to get back on my chir after falling off.

To each, their own I guess.



Isn't it great to have a site where people can give objetive opinions, and real world evaluations of different products, rather than a bunch of vendor cheer leaders?

 

[Todd T]

SBC=VALUE????? QUOTE]



When factoring in the good customer service, backed by knowledge of the application and continued development of the product. Yes, i believe they are a good value.



Now I'm not advocating he go out and buy a DD clutch. that all depends on how much power he has, plans to have and what he plans to do with it once he has it. No cheerleader here just a very "Value" minded, pleased triple-peat customer expressing so.



tell me if your stage 3 broke under I assume a warranty period, would they offer you a free upgrade if needed, loan you a flywheel to have redrilled and pay for the shipping back and forth of that? i didnt think so!

 

[crudd]

I wouldn't consider myself a "cheerleader" for any brand...



However, I previously had a SouthBend CON OFE and currently an FE - and I am extremely happy. The customer service at SouthBend is great - and I am being completely honest. Peter and staff went out of their way, twice to help me. They even switched my OFE to FE for next to nothing. For street driving, I would stick with the OFE. The FE is definitely a bit grabby for normal driving - especially backing up. But... if I had to do it over again, I would go with a dual disc as mentioned above. That really seems to be the best of both worlds (drivability and holding power).

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

The one thing you're never going to hear is, "I bought a clutch off E-Bay for half the price and I think I got robbed" :{ You cannot argue the customer service from South Bend! The membership here has proven that. I just ordered my SouthBend DD after two years of research and hemming and hawing. Personally I wouldn't buy a clutch off of ebay but to each his own and I wish you the best of luck. I've watched the people here go back and forth between Haisley, Enterprise and SB and in the end went with the SB because I know it's a good clutch because of the people out the abusing them and because I know Peter will stand behind it. I will only ever have to buy one clutch and that should be enough said!

 

[j-miller]

I also agree that a South Bend is a good value in the long run. I had mine for 4 years in my '95 truck and it's still going strong. I can't wait till the stock clutch fails in my '01 truck so I can replace that on with a SB also.

 

[mschoenheider]

Getting back to Allen's original question, "Which clutch is best for the money?"

Here is the clutch I have, although it looks like the price has gone up a little since I bought mine. For $625, it is a reasonably priced clutch which will hold the power.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ry=33730&item=7974335594&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V



This clutch holds my power and torque. Not sure, but I would guess I have 800+ ftlbs. You might be able to use one of their lower power clutches depending on your future plans. I have had the clutch in for about 10k miles, of which about 80% was without my trailer and the rest was with two jeeps on my trailer.







Back to the bickering... So Todd, did you ever wonder why SB can give you free upgraded clutches, flywheels to be drilled and shipping, and still maintain a profitable business, maybe because they have high profit margins on their products?

 

[South Bend Clutch]

The clutch that is shown on ebay is a 12" clutch. Comparing that clutch to my 12" clutches with the same capeabilities is priced about the same. I also offer 12" clutches at half the cost. Also, the one shown is a stock 12 valve clutch with different friction materials on the clutch disc (matallic/feramic base). We went down that road a few years back with the 12" matallic style clutches like our 0090 OFE and ended up taking them of the market. With the aggresive nature of the clutch, the 12" spring assembly in the center of the disc could not take it and many came apart. This is the reason for the 13" upgrades and yes they do cost a little more.



Peter

 

[RHARVEY]

ATTA BOY Peter! SBC will do the job Oo. Oo. Oo.





Rick

 

[gitchesum]

The clutch that is shown on ebay is a 12" clutch. Comparing that clutch to my 12" clutches with the same capeabilities is priced about the same. I also offer 12" clutches at half the cost. Also, the one shown is a stock 12 valve clutch with different friction materials on the clutch disc (matallic/feramic base). We went down that road a few years back with the 12" matallic style clutches like our 0090 OFE and ended up taking them of the market. With the aggresive nature of the clutch, the 12" spring assembly in the center of the disc could not take it and many came apart. This is the reason for the 13" upgrades and yes they do cost a little more.



Peter

Probably those darn Texans that are tearing those things up.



Peter offers, what I consider the best clutch on the market with the best customer service of any company I've done business with. I will pay twice the price for good customer service. It more than pays for itself in the long run.

 

[Todd T]

Getting back to Allen's original question, "Which clutch is best for the money?"

Here is the clutch I have, although it looks like the price has gone up a little since I bought mine. For $625, it is a reasonably priced clutch which will hold the power.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ry=33730&item=7974335594&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V



This clutch holds my power and torque. Not sure, but I would guess I have 800+ ftlbs. You might be able to use one of their lower power clutches depending on your future plans. I have had the clutch in for about 10k miles, of which about 80% was without my trailer and the rest was with two jeeps on my trailer.







Back to the bickering... So Todd, did you ever wonder why SB can give you free upgraded clutches, flywheels to be drilled and shipping, and still maintain a profitable business, maybe because they have high profit margins on their products?

we can take this answer offline. Id be happy to share the details with you.



Ok last time and I'll mossie back to the competition and 24v forums. Mr. Schoenheider. I propably offended you by my aggresive expression of my opinion. and for that i appologize. What I mean to say is Peter and SBC are advocates for us. Not just a clutch manufacturer, but truely here for US. you'll find someone from SBC at most of the national events and you can go talk to them about anything. (Peter is a blonde haired fella and likes to hang out with the Kanucks) sorry Pete



Peter did a better job of explaining the differences in the clutch you posted about and gave his compairable alternative so I'll leave that alone.



I dont think you'll find a clutch company willing to come out and meet and greet us and take notes on how they can improve their products for us better than SBC. Yeah, you pay might more! but what are you paying more for? a: a better product. And i'm here saying "its worth it" high profit margins or high customer loyalty concerns, call it what you may, SBC is worth it.



Now the original topic was best clutch for the street, not sled. centrifugals dont work in every application. try drag racing with one. if he hops that thing up above 300 horse, there's only one company he should be looking at for a clutch, SBC. based on my experience.

 

[WadePatton]

Call Centerforce and tell 'em you've got a 12v with a 160 pump, but will upgrade pumps later and need the input shaft conversion... . then listen to the crickets chirp as they try to figure out what you said on the other end.



Tell them you're going to compete with the vehicle and expect warranty service IF necessary, listen to THEM laugh loudly. :-laf



I just called Peter with such information and he sold me a clutch. Simple. I ain't cheerleading. I'm just supporting some of the folks who've made it possible for us to call 500hp/ridiculous torque monsters DAILY DRIVERS!



Thanks Peter.



I ain't messing around. I'm not real good at transmission pulling and don't want extra practice.

 

[Got Smoke?]

I'm not real good at transmission pulling and don't want extra practice.

You don't want it either... it ain't fun. :-laf

Although you do seem to have that special touch for getting them back in. #@$%!