Mule

So here's the story.
I have the Edge EZ on setting 2, Bullydog PP on pulling, Holly blue pusher, AFE intake, Aeroturbine, 4" out the back. ATS Diesel ran it on the dyno- 398 hp, 895 ft-lbs. 2003 HO w/ 6spd - key thing is the 6spd, see below.....

My stock clutch started slipping, so I had ATS D. put a 400hp rated clutch setup in it, they turned the stock flywheel. It took them a week and a half to get it back to me, they had problems finding the clutch.

Got it back $1200.00 - it hopped like crazy for a few days (I figure it had greasy fingerprints on it). 4 months later, it's slipping again. They say they can put a 13" clutch setup in it for me and warranty the clutch. No problem, or so I think. Almost two weeks out I get it back. The supplier kept sending the wrong flywheel, the started wouldn't engage.... So, they tell me they had to get a new 13" DC flywheel, fine, $750 for it, I pay that and install, they cover new clutch.

Another $1200. - clutch hops really bad now. I try to pull my NEW 28' 5-th wheel camper. Insane hop, 6 days total drive time. I take it to another shop where I know the owner, he did my exhaust, gauges ect.... I leave it with him while I go out of state. He puts a stock setup back in it, new 12" un turned flywheel from DC - $1200. The one from ATS was not 13", but another turned 12" (or my original turned again). DC tells us they never made a 13" for a 6spd. Clutch goes back to stock DC, the one from ATS was ceramic. Two separate clutch companies tell him I can't run a ceramic and pull, plus there is question as to if this flywheel should even be turned. Next, new Press Pl. old was trashed too.

Total cost $2600.

I have a new ceramic clutch sitting in my garage, a trashed 12" flywheel and press plate. I tried to call ATS and talk to Clint a few times, but either no answer from cust svc or he isn't in and the salesman won't call me back.

Now, I have my truck back about a month and the clutch started slipping in 6th then in other gears getting on the HWY. I'm so frustrated that I pulled the Bullydog off and am thinking I'm going to sell it.... This isnt even pulling anything.

I'm going to take it back to my guy and he will warranty it - no questions asked! He was thinking of going w/ a Kevlar, but.......

Can anyone help me? I'm at whits end and am about to get rid of this truck.

Greg

KVD

Just go south bend or valiar (some people don't like him but I've seen his clutch hold a 410HP 24v with no problems so far in 10k) and be done.

The 03 6 spds are NV5600 right??

Mule

Yes, NV5600....
Will the Kevlar hop?
I do 75% of my shifting w/o the clutch, but drive in traffic every day so I do have to use it more than I like. I'm building a Toy p/u for a primary DD.

lmills

Most of the performance cutches will be a little grabby. Sometimes all it takes is a slight change in driving style and your good to go. The only time mines bothers me with hopping is when I am backing up an incline with a load or a trailer on the back

wap

lmills, what clutch are you runnin?

lmills

FE till it lets go. So far it holds good for daily driving. Instead of slipping the clutch, it would rather just mow the tires off in 5th gear LOL. The only time I have experienced any slippage was while roughing it up while racing.

When it lets go I will be going with a twin disk.

Totallyrad

Mule, I'm still on the stock clutch in the dodge and have no experience with ceramics in the pick-up but, my Mack and a buddy's Ford 9000 both have ceramic. I found, as did he, that with ceramic they engage very quickly as compared to organic and cause the truck to jump or hop. I like the way it holds but would prefer to be able to engage the drive line a little easier. Remember also that the clutch might be rated for 400 hp but the torque numbers you are making is what's slipping the clutch. A higher hp rated clutch may be in order.

Mule

The ceramic clutch ruined the flywheel and pp in 6 days. The flywheel had hot spots all over it. One possible problem may have been greasy finger prints on it. I was on the camping trip and tried an old trick... I sprayed 4 cans of brake parts cleaner in the bottom hole while my wife worked the clutch. I got all kinds of black crappy fluid out duging the first three cans. It didn't hop very bad after that. But, I did have to put it in 4-low to back it into my storage spot on flat ground.....
When I first got it back, I tried letting the clutch out faster. Nothing worked.... I'm afraid if there was grease, the damage was allready done before I cleaned the crap out. If I could do the work myself I would. I have wrenched on my own gassers for 20+ years. I just don't have a shop in the state to do my CTD.....

So if I go w/ Kevlar, what should I expect? Does anyone know if the flywheels truly can be turned or is this a no no? My guy said DC shops he called didn't have a tech bullitin on it, but one told him they shouldn't be turned. I love my truck, but my company bought it for me and pays the bills ( Yeah I know what you are thinking - I put 30+k miles on a year and the boss likes diesels). The boss is getting a little ticked off though...... I think the shop time on this one will come out of my pocket...... He said something about me trading this in on a Subaru.... Ouch!
G