3850 DD Clutch - Sprung Hub vs. Rigid
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From: Pittsburgh, Pa. & Columbus, OH.
I have finally had the chance to get about 300 miles on the new clutch and can comment on how the two differ.
Pedal Feel:
I must say that I was a little surprised to feel that the overall clutch feel had changed between the two clutches. The travel on this clutch (sprung hub) is actually a little shorter and lighter than the rigid. You barely have to depress the clutch at all in order to disengage it and shift gears. You can shift very quickly and even get into gear before your RPMs have dropped all the way down (i.e., assuming that you were accelerating pretty hard at the time). I definitely think that the pedal feel has improved over the rigid.
Noise:
Probably the second best upgrade of this clutch over its rigid counterpart. I would say that the noise has been reduced by about 20% at idle. It is a lot less "mechanical" sounding if that makes any sense because of the springs dampening the vibrations. It just sounds like a heavy duty truck. The big difference is with the clutch disgaged! Noise has been reduced by about 80%. It is barely louder than when the clutch is engaged! This makes it nice, especially for drive thrus because you could now maneuver the truck without having to shut off the engine to be heard. I cannot commend Peter enough for how well this upgrade turned out on the noise factor. This is not a "minor" difference that you can't notice. This is DEFINITELY worth the money if you have to upgrade from your rigid clutch.
Driviability:
By far the best feature of this new clutch and the reason I love Optimus even more! The need to hold the clutch at the slipping point whilst holding the RPMs relatively high until the clutch finally engages is a thing of the past! So is the annoying jerkyness just before full engagement. Now, you can come off the clutch very quickly and it is as smooth as silk. You can just engage the clutch without giving any throttle or you can take it up around 1600 RPM and ease out quickly and you just take off! This clutch will make racing VERY fun! Shifting between the gears is an equally enjoyable experience. Since the clutch does not have to be depressed very far; it's very simple to make quick, positive shifts. Also the new sprung hub design allows for very smooth shifts whether you're just loafing round town or going at it full tilt.
Bottom Line:
This Clutch is the ULTIMATE CLUTCH! This was probably the best upgrade of my Phase 2 Mods. It totally changes the dynamic of the truck. It makes it a beast that is every bit as driveable and "civil" as it was stock; just a WHOLE LOT FASTER!
I recommend this to any and all 6-speeders!!
Pedal Feel:
I must say that I was a little surprised to feel that the overall clutch feel had changed between the two clutches. The travel on this clutch (sprung hub) is actually a little shorter and lighter than the rigid. You barely have to depress the clutch at all in order to disengage it and shift gears. You can shift very quickly and even get into gear before your RPMs have dropped all the way down (i.e., assuming that you were accelerating pretty hard at the time). I definitely think that the pedal feel has improved over the rigid.
Noise:
Probably the second best upgrade of this clutch over its rigid counterpart. I would say that the noise has been reduced by about 20% at idle. It is a lot less "mechanical" sounding if that makes any sense because of the springs dampening the vibrations. It just sounds like a heavy duty truck. The big difference is with the clutch disgaged! Noise has been reduced by about 80%. It is barely louder than when the clutch is engaged! This makes it nice, especially for drive thrus because you could now maneuver the truck without having to shut off the engine to be heard. I cannot commend Peter enough for how well this upgrade turned out on the noise factor. This is not a "minor" difference that you can't notice. This is DEFINITELY worth the money if you have to upgrade from your rigid clutch.
Driviability:
By far the best feature of this new clutch and the reason I love Optimus even more! The need to hold the clutch at the slipping point whilst holding the RPMs relatively high until the clutch finally engages is a thing of the past! So is the annoying jerkyness just before full engagement. Now, you can come off the clutch very quickly and it is as smooth as silk. You can just engage the clutch without giving any throttle or you can take it up around 1600 RPM and ease out quickly and you just take off! This clutch will make racing VERY fun! Shifting between the gears is an equally enjoyable experience. Since the clutch does not have to be depressed very far; it's very simple to make quick, positive shifts. Also the new sprung hub design allows for very smooth shifts whether you're just loafing round town or going at it full tilt.
Bottom Line:
This Clutch is the ULTIMATE CLUTCH! This was probably the best upgrade of my Phase 2 Mods. It totally changes the dynamic of the truck. It makes it a beast that is every bit as driveable and "civil" as it was stock; just a WHOLE LOT FASTER!
I recommend this to any and all 6-speeders!!
Great job!!! Thanks for the write up, its about time someone finally steped up and wrote a detailed post describing their reactions.
I know there others out there but their are way more tight liped.
I hope someone with a NV5600 steps up to the plate soon.
Have you done any boosted launches with it yet? and if so please do tell
I know there others out there but their are way more tight liped.
I hope someone with a NV5600 steps up to the plate soon.
Have you done any boosted launches with it yet? and if so please do tell
Thanx for the write up. I have the stocker in my 06 right now. And though I imaging the sprung hub will be quite a bit more expensive than the G56/OFE/conversion single disc set up (which will probably be enough for me), This looks like a 1 time clutch buy.
There is a seller on e-bay that has the G56 double disc set kups for $1795 (I think that is the price, he also has the G56 basic conversions for $1100-FYI). Are the sprung hubs the same price, more, or less?
Thanx.
Thanx.
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Great job!!! Thanks for the write up, its about time someone finally steped up and wrote a detailed post describing their reactions.
I know there others out there but their are way more tight liped.
I hope someone with a NV5600 steps up to the plate soon.
Have you done any boosted launches with it yet? and if so please do tell
I know there others out there but their are way more tight liped.
I hope someone with a NV5600 steps up to the plate soon.
Have you done any boosted launches with it yet? and if so please do tell
D, glad you got your clutch in, and that was a good write up. Makes me feel even better about waiting to get mine, instead of jumpin the gun and gettin a rigid. On a side note, you do realize you can adjust your pedal as needed dont you? Not pressure but up and down.
JM, you can get them cheaper than that from Larry, send him a pm and see what they cost form the DTR store. 1795 is retail, you also have to have upgraded hydros too. They are in the 225-250 range.
The sprung hub clutches are the same price as the rigid hub, clutches.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,279
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, Pa. & Columbus, OH.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,279
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, Pa. & Columbus, OH.
I cannot say enough good things about it! I was out driving in some nice "bad stuff" last night and it was so much easier to control than the rigid. A 400% inprovement!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,279
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, Pa. & Columbus, OH.



I am saving for my clutch upgrade right now while I still have a warranty