Which should i go with SBC MU13 1.25 Con OFE or Con FE?

[Junior]

Alright guys which wone should i use. Not using truck for work as much , because i have a company vehicle, however is still do tow and haul heavy on occasion.

Does anybody have experiance with both clutches, want to know how different in the pedal they feel?



Is one more grabby than the other?



Want to do this once and that is it.



Still drive the truck a lot, especially going on crosscountry excursions so don't want to lse the drivablility of it.

 

[Jetpilot]

The OFE is a better towing clutch, the FE is grabbier..... As long as you aren't over 450 RWHP the OFE is fine and will work well for you. If we can answer any more questions please feel free to call.



Doug Smith

 

[Billywj]

Go With A Fe

I Had A Ofe In My 99 And It Didnt Last Very Long At All Go With A Fe Or A Dual Disk

 

[mattymac]

My FE holds everything I throw at it, it is grabby especially when towing. I would get a new Street DD next time, same or very close to the same weight as the FE but in a nicely mannered DD!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I went with the FE in a 13" upgrade on my '96 and found it so mild mannered I thought they put in the wrong clutch. I would not describe it as grabby, the only time it's a bit of a pain is backing up with a load. Just have to be careful with the throttle but I've managed backing up OK without being herky jerky.



Pedal effort is lighter than stock. Drives like a stock clutch other than the situation I just mentioned.

 

[mattymac]

I went with the FE in a 13" upgrade on my '96 and found it so mild mannered I thought they put in the wrong clutch. I would not describe it as grabby, the only time it's a bit of a pain is backing up with a load. Just have to be careful with the throttle but I've managed backing up OK without being herky jerky.



Pedal effort is lighter than stock. Drives like a stock clutch other than the situation I just mentioned.

I think on the 12v's since there is no idle governer like on the 3rd gens it makes the FE less grabby, when I let out the clutch on my truck the idle remains at 750 whereas the 12v's will load down and loose RPM's and I think this helps with the grabbyness of the FE. If I blip the pedal I will get a fall off in RPM's down to about 600 or so and if I let out the clutch it seems to take off smoother, but sometimes it governs up and wants to take off when I do this.



I also have less pedal effort.

 

[GiesJ]

I love my OFE. If you tow and want to stay mild I think it is more user friendly. If you tow once in a while and want a higher HP ceiling, FE. Check this out

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156581

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142969

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124376

Good luck

 

[bgilbert]

I went with the FE in a 13" upgrade on my '96 and found it so mild mannered I thought they put in the wrong clutch. I would not describe it as grabby, the only time it's a bit of a pain is backing up with a load. Just have to be careful with the throttle but I've managed backing up OK without being herky jerky.



Pedal effort is lighter than stock. Drives like a stock clutch other than the situation I just mentioned.

I totally agree. Mine is so much softer than the stock clutch pedal/effort. I was wondering the same thing. I haven't hammered on it to see how well it holds, but so far, I love it.

 

[wildmanben]

nothing but good to say about the OFE that I got. Good for towing and not all that jerky. Thinking about going to a DD soon though...

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I think on the 12v's since there is no idle governer like on the 3rd gens it makes the FE less grabby, when I let out the clutch on my truck the idle remains at 750 whereas the 12v's will load down and loose RPM's and I think this helps with the grabbyness of the FE. .

You make an excellent point mattymac, that would definitely make a difference, and make backing up with the 12-valve easier. That is one of the things about the 12v, I can let out the clutch without touching the throttle and let RPM drag down and let it chug away at 400 RPM or so. It's real torquey but steady down there and makes backing up easy.

 

[Turbo Thom]

This selection of clutches is a little stange to me. I've been towing with the Con 0 for 4 years now. Same clutch, but that's with 300 HP and not 450 as Doug mentions. I did break one dampner spring and Peter replace that in 2 days. The plate, not the spring. If you treat a clutch right, it will last. Abuse it, and away it goes. I just think most buy a clutch for the holdidng power or his best friend has one, but it may not be the best for your application. And don't waste you money on a cheaper clutch. Get the best up front and you're better off. SouthBend is just the best out here for any amount of dollars.



Really, know what you are lookng for when you buy. Foot pressure, clamping pressure, towing, competion pulling, or everyday use. But I will say, if not towing heavey, stay away from the dual disc. You do not need it.



. . Preston. .

 

[JCleary]

I just switched from a SBC Organic DD to an OFE. A few impressions:



1) Smooooooth engagement

2) Super quiet, just like stock

3) I can't believe how easy it is to shift, I mean it's like butter. It takes 1/2 the time to pull the lever from gear to gear compared to a DD.

4) Zero driveline noise.

5) I can get it into 1st, 2nd, and reverse at a stop without a fight!



I've yet to turn up the fueling to see what the clutch can hold, but Tomeygun is running around with 604hp or so with the same clutch and the older 2800# pressure plate. Supposedly the newer plate is 3400#-3600#, but to me the pedal pressure is as light as a passenger car. Really nice.

 

[GiesJ]

This selection of clutches is a little stange to me. I've been towing with the Con 0 for 4 years now. Same clutch, but that's with 300 HP and not 450 as Doug mentions.

Preston - your clutch, the Con O is rated to about 400 hp (900ft-lbs). Doug was refering to the OFE. (450/1000)



You make a great point, spend the money now on a good clutch whatever level you think you will end up.

J

 

[Junior]

Guys thanks for the advice and keep it coming. My main concern is not losing the drivablity of the truck. I am probably going to ever max the truck out at 550- 600 hp.

Doubt i will ever go higher at this time. This is the reason i was looking at the FE. I was set on the OFE but was concerned if it would hold in 500hp range when empty.

If i am going to do it want to do it right. Pedal feel is important since my wife does take the truck on occasion.

 

[mattymac]

I just switched from a SBC Organic DD to an OFE. A few impressions:



1) Smooooooth engagement

2) Super quiet, just like stock

3) I can't believe how easy it is to shift, I mean it's like butter. It takes 1/2 the time to pull the lever from gear to gear compared to a DD.

4) Zero driveline noise.

5) I can get it into 1st, 2nd, and reverse at a stop without a fight!



I've yet to turn up the fueling to see what the clutch can hold, but Tomeygun is running around with 604hp or so with the same clutch and the older 2800# pressure plate. Supposedly the newer plate is 3400#-3600#, but to me the pedal pressure is as light as a passenger car. Really nice.

I know Peter underrates his clutches but I think if Tomey were to run that much HP on the street day to day it will not last, but it shouldnt either. Just the fact that it put down that much HP on a dyno is pretty amazing but on the street it will not last.



As for the DD you were running, thats why peter came out with his new line of Street DD's all the benifits of a single disc, (weight, faster shifts) but in a DD that is designed to slip a bit and not be as grabby as the FE and the bigger DD's.

 

[JCleary]

As for the DD you were running, thats why peter came out with his new line of Street DD's all the benifits of a single disc, (weight, faster shifts) but in a DD that is designed to slip a bit and not be as grabby as the FE and the bigger DD's.

I had a 3250# street DD. I can tell you, this thing will NOT slip. I could scratch in any gear. My U-joints did not put up with it for long. I'm now running Precision 351's. After pulling the clutch out after 5k miles, it wasn't even fully broken in. I'm sure it would hold an insane amount of torque.



On edit:



If I had to do it again, I would have bought the OFE or FE the first time around. With the new higher clamp load pressure plate, they'll hold a tremendous amount of power.



The street DD may shift quick for a DD, but nothing like the OFE I'm running now.

 

[kelly4463]

I run an FE and tow a heavy 5er with no problem it's a little grabby put it in 4lo when backing up it's not that bad at all.

 

[NoSeeUm]

My OFE is a little grabby and will stutter just a bit on starts. Very towable though and not an issue for me. The peddle pressure is very close or maybe even a little bit less than stock.



JIm