Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) which sbc to get

[rodmeyer]

need some advice on which sbc. I have just over 350 hp. 6sd ho. I tow heavy. I tow a horse trailer and camper. I need one that is smooth taking off and in reverse. I may even want more power latter so I don"t want to under size. Iam thinking the con fe,but would it be to jerky for the horses?Advice please on both the con ofe,and con fe. one last thing. every thing being equal in hp,which clutch would last longer? thanks

 

[DBoyd]

Why not call Peter with South Bend Clutch and tell him what you have and he'll suggest a clutch for you. Great folks to work with.

Don

 

[Whitmore]

Peter will give you the best guidence on this but I have the SB con ofe, think its good for 400 hp if I remember correctly, I love mine, smooth, never slips and would do it again in a minute, SBC has great customer service before and after the sale.



Cheers, Kevin

 

[Mad Bomber]

South bend

Rod, Peter is a great guy and a great company to deal with. I'd get the Con OFE it's good to about 400 to 450 HP with about 1K of tourque. It's very easy to tow with it also,even inching back with the trailer. You will also find that the clutch is softer to push in than the stock. BTW I LOVE MINE. I have driven a truck that had the CON FE it was a little grabby for me.

 

[rodmeyer]

Eric,I'd like to be about where your at with hp. aren't you about maxed out for clutch?than again I don't want grabby either. But towing with 400hp with the ofe I'am worried the ofe would start to slip and the fe would be better for long gevity. just want to put one clutch in and have it last a while. thats why I'am asking for opinions. I well call peter also. like to hear everyones practical advice. thanks again Rod

 

[RustyJC]

I'm still in the breakin phase with my Con OFE - 520 miles on the clutch as of tonight. It has some chatter starting in 2nd (note that I have 4. 10's), but is OK in 1st and reverse. I'm hoping that gets better before we hitch up our 5th wheel since we run at 21,180 lbs GCW (21,500 lbs GCWR). Otherwise, the OFE is great. No slip whatsoever.



If the FE were any more aggressive than the OFE in terms of "grab" and "chatter", I'd have serious reservations about using it for a towing clutch, especially for low-speed maneuvering like we have to do with RVs.



JMHO based on extremely limited experience so far.



Rusty

 

[Mad Bomber]

OFE

Rod, you are right I'm getting to the upper end of this clutch. It's been doing great for me. I do pop the clutch and burn the tires some because I can and it fun. I have the drag comp and DDII's a PDR 35 w/14cm wastgated ATS manifold 4" ex and a scotty II.

I don't always have the box on 5X5 it's most of the time down on 2X3. You also need to think how much HP is enough HP,and what are you using it for. I have the pleasure of meeting Peter at PDR and he said that for not to much money he could also upgrade my Con OFE to a FE. I don't really want to add to much more to mine because it is used for towing. It has plenty of go fast HP for me.

 

[Mad Bomber]

OFE

. I forgot to say I've had the OFE for more than 30K no slipping at all unless you count my slippin tires. At 40K the tires were bald

 

[Deezul1]

At some over 400hp my Con O (rated at 400hp)was slipping a little now and then. I went to the OFE which is rated to 500HP and no way it slips. It is a tiny bit grabby now and then but while towing my 6500lb TT it wasnt a problem at all even backing up. I highly recomend SBC, the customer service is beyond anything you have ever experienced before

 

[C. Harlan]

CON FE ALL THE WAY

I have gone through 3 CON OFE clutches, due to 400+ HP... my CON FE holds awesome, and I would definitely recommend this one. . trust me. . I have tried almost all of Peter's products, and he has been nothing but awesome in helping me get the right clutch in this truck!

My Vote CON FE...



it is not too jerky, and nothing that the horses cant handle. . I pull horses every so often, but its more cows for me. . backing up, it may chatter, but you will find that anywhere with a high HP clutch.



-Chris-

 

[RustyJC]

Re: CON FE ALL THE WAY

Originally posted by charlan

I have gone through 3 CON OFE clutches, due to 400+ HP...

Which Con OFE - the 13" ETH/DEE version, or the smaller ETC version? What was your failure mode?



Rusty

 

[C. Harlan]

Hey rusty... My failure modes were the ETC size clutches... Still, I would recommend a Con FE.



JUST GO WITH THE CON FE!!!! IT IS WORTH THE EXTRA BIT! ALWAYS BUY MORE THAN WHAT YOU NEED! THAT WAY IT WILL GIVE YOU ROOM TO WORK WITH WHEN YOU BOMB!



-Chris-

 

[RustyJC]

It all depends on what you're going to use the truck for. If, like mine, it is primarily to tow a 5ver, the constant chatter of a very aggressive clutch would disqualify it for consideration. There's too much low speed maneuvering required with RVs to put up with a bucking, chattering rig.



If I intended to build a 1000 BHP dyno queen, I'd agree with the Con FE, the dual-disc or something even more aggressive. For my application, though, the 450 BHP and 1000 lb-ft of torque that the HO-size OFE is rated to handle is plenty.



All of life is compromise. In my case, I gave up some maximum BHP and torque capacity to get a more livable clutch. Each individual has to look at their own requirements and make their own decisions. One size does not fit all.



Rusty

 

[HOSS]

Rod,

I am in the same boat as you, I tow a 4 horse Trails West and a camper. I spend a lot of time on mountian log roads with a heavy load. I am at 462. 8 HP and 990 ft lb's torque. I use a SBC Con OFE and love it!!! Stock peddle feel and very smooth engagement. This is IMHO the clutch to haul a livestock trailer with.

 

[rodmeyer]

thanks guys for all your replys,I would like more than enought clutch but... I do tow a lot in the summer and really dont want any bucking. Iam leaning towards the ofe. Rod

 

[Mad Bomber]

clutch

Rod, the Con OFE is a great choice you won't be sorry