South Bend Clutch Users Questionairre- looking for updates on everyone's setups!

[Tiki2777]

*Specific model used
---Pressure plate type:
-->Custom SS-X Series

---Disk type:
-->DXD-B Sprung 4-Puck Clutch disk (you may want to add this to your list, it comes the highest clutch package they sell on their website despite SBC's picture showing a 6 puck)

*Specific model flywheel used
-->ACT Streetlite Chromoly

*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch
only 1,5xx miles so far

*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available
no idea, but 18psi on a 52mm Holset H1c

*Usage Type
-->Daily Driver


*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again?
Hell yes unless I really feel like going to a twin disk (probably not those suck to drive)
-->Would you choose a different pressure plate next time (higher or lower clamp force)?
Nope I opted for the ss-x for a reason.
-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time?
No the ceramic material on a puck disk just holds and holds and does not let go.
-->If your clutch wore out, how long did you have it for and mileage before it wore out the actual friction linings as a direct relation to usage, not due to other circumstances like hydraulics, pedal assembly or adjustment issues.
Will update as soon as it goes bye bye, but I really doubt I would choose anything else but this kit. It has super soft but firm pedal feel, not spongey. Has a perfect engagement window, and loves to grab. Not noisy with a oem TOB, but it has a particular way it likes to be slipped to take off from a stop, around 2k rpms also is its happy place. Shifts are buttery.

 

[crash89]

I somehow just came across this thread! Ill post up my experience with my SB unit from a few years ago!

*Specific model used
---Pressure plate type:

-->SS-Series

---Disk type:

-->TZ/FE-Series Kevlar / Feramic dual friction

*Specific model flywheel used
-->Stock with factory spec step height.


*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch
~10k of FWD DD and under 300wtq no launches
~15k of AWD DD 300-450tq many launches and races

*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available
By the time it started to fail on me the car was still 3240* and had made 452/440 ~56lb/min. Would hold in a rolling pull but from a dig, third would slip badly.
11.6 @ 119 was the best times I could manage with the slipping clutch that pass trapped 94 in the 1/8

*Usage Type
-->Daily Driver
-->Street/Strip
--> Occasional Auto-X Car



*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again?
For a smaller setup, yes! I was trying to hold off on another clutch as long as possible.
-->Would you choose a different pressure plate next time (higher or lower clamp force)?
Perhaps the SS-x
-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time?
Probably would go with a ceramic disc next time for a car that sees more time at the track, the Tz/Fe disc was awesome for a 400/400 street car
-->If your clutch wore out, how long did you have it for and mileage before it wore out the actual friction linings as a direct relation to usage, not due to other circumstances like hydraulics, pedal assembly or adjustment issues.
Total of 4 years and ~25k. Inspecting the disc after removal it seems to not be worn an excessive amount. But I think more of the failure was just overpowering the pressure plate rating. I did struggle with adjustment issues for a couple years as well, Im sure that took a little part.

Overall I loved the clutch!!

 

[twicks69]

Any more customer updates? I know there's a couple hundred more DSM'ers alone that have purchased them from me since 2015, anyone care to share their updates using the questionairre from the 1st post?

*Specific model used
---Pressure plate type:
-->Stock PP (Old Rally Series stuff)
-->HD-Series
-->SS-Series
-->Custom SS-X Series
---Disk type:
-->Organic
-->TZ-Series full Kevlar
-->OFE-Series Organic / Feramic dual friction
-->TZ/FE-Series Kevlar / Feramic dual friction
-->TZ/B-Series Kevlar / Ceramic dual friction
-->B-Series full Ceramic
-->DXD-B Series Ceramic 6-puck
-->DXD-F Series Feramic 6-puck

*Specific model flywheel used
-->Stock
-->ACT Streetlite Chromoly
-->Competition Clutch Street Chromoly
-->Fidanza Aluminum
-->Other (specify)

*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch

*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available

*Usage Type
-->Daily Driver
-->Street/Strip
-->Weekend Warrior Abuse
-->Drag Car
-->Auto-X Car
-->Road Race / Circuit Race Car
-->Rally Car
-->Stock Car


*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again?
-->Would you choose a different pressure plate next time (higher or lower clamp force)?
-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time?
-->If your clutch wore out, how long did you have it for and mileage before it wore out the actual friction linings as a direct relation to usage, not due to other circumstances like hydraulics, pedal assembly or adjustment issues.

 

[jakk220]

*Specific model used
---Pressure plate type:
-->Custom SS-X Series

---Disk type:
-->B-Series full Ceramic

*Specific model flywheel used
-->Fidanza Aluminum


*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch
Clutch was installed August of 2016. Has about 2k miles on it.

*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available
423hp/393tq and 12.01 1/4 at the shoot out.


*Usage Type
-->Street/Strip
-->Weekend Warrior Abuse
-->Road Race



*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again?
Absolutely.
-->Would you choose a different pressure plate next time (higher or lower clamp force)?
Nope. Seems to work just fine so far
-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time?
Nope.
-->If your clutch wore out, how long did you have it for and mileage before it wore out the actual friction linings as a direct relation to usage, not due to other circumstances like hydraulics, pedal assembly or adjustment issues.

Will report back after more mileage has been put on the clutch. But so far it has been the best clutch I have used as far as how well it grabs and the engagement. I previously was using a Fidanza V3 which finally gave way after 3 years of abuse. The feel is very similar between the two. On paper this clutch should hold more torque and I'm confident that it will. My car should be in the 450-480 range next year and I plan on keeping it there.

I did notice a slight whining noise in 2nd and 4th after I installed the clutch that goes away in higher RPM/Speed. I used the same type of fluid and the trans was shep built about 18k miles ago. I guess its possible that its the transfer case or a bearing going out in the trans. I hope not though. Either way the car shifts great and I have 0 clutch issues.

Shout out to twicks for helping me get the right set up and get it shipped to me in time for the shootout other wise I wouldn't have been able to race this year!

 

[danielsl1999gsx]

*Specific model used
---Pressure plate type:
-->Custom SS-X Series


---Disk type:
-->TZ-Series full Kevlar

*Specific model flywheel used
-->Competition Clutch Street Chromoly

*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch
7,000 Miles before giving out


*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available

325hp/285qt (91oct) - 12.3 @ 110mph in quarter mile

401hp/380tq (e85) - 7.6 @ 97mph in eighth mile

*Usage Type
-->Street/Strip

*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again?

Not for a street/strip clutch. This is a great daily driver clutch that can hold power well. This clutch disc doesn’t like to be launched though. It took 3 launches on my e85 map to completely glaze it and weld itself to my flywheel. But up until the last launch at the drag strip this clutch was nothing but a dream. Its pedal feel was amazing and very street friendly. More a street/roll racing clutch.

-->Would you choose a different pressure plate next time (higher or lower clamp force)?

No, the SSX was a perfect pressure plate.

-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time?

Yes, the Kevlar disc couldn’t handle the drag strip so I would go with B-series, DXD-B Series, or DXD-F series disc.

-->If your clutch wore out, how long did you have it for and mileage before it wore out the actual friction linings as a direct relation to usage, not due to other circumstances like hydraulics, pedal assembly or adjustment issues.

Clutch lasted 7,000 miles before welding itself to my flywheel. The disc itself had plenty of material left on both sides so I have no doubt it my mind that it would have lasted over 20-30k if it was never launched. Like I said before, this was by far one of my favorite clutch until it gave out. I wouldn’t go with this clutch combo again as I feel this disc material would just glaze again on the drag strip. Thankfully, the guys at SouthBend have been super helpful with their warranty claim and have worked out a solution with me. I am now going to run their SSX/B-Series full ceramic clutch combo which is more suited for track purposes. Hoping for great results with this unit.

 

[red_devil]

Guess I'll add to this since it's been revived. I'm still currently breaking my clutch in so I will update later on to compare the differences. Pedal effort is very light, almost too light for my taste. Maybe I need to just get used to it going from a ACT 2600. It's still grabbing real hard and I'm getting inconsistent engagement smoothness so it still needs more miles in it. But stop and go traffic is a breeze and I have zero drag or slipping issues so far.

*Specific model used
---Pressure plate type:
-->SS-Series

---Disk type:
-->TZ/B-Series Kevlar / Ceramic dual friction

*Specific model flywheel used
-->ACT Streetlite Chromoly

*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch
300 miles

*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available
N/A

*Usage Type
-->Street/Strip

*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again?
Yes
-->Would you choose a different pressure plate next time (higher or lower clamp force)?
Yeah I probably would go with the SS X next time for a little added room to grow in the future, and to stiffen up the clutch feel a little
-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time?
No

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

My clutch pretty much did the same as Danielsl1999GSX did. It launched once after a 500 mile break in and after that, it must be glazed as it has never wanted to hold after slipping the clutch off a stop light hard or leaving the line under boost.



*Specific model used---Pressure plate type:
-->SS-X Series

---Disk type:
-->TZ/B-Series Kevlar / Ceramic dual friction

*Specific model flywheel used
-->ACT Streetlite Chromoly

*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch
4000 miles, maybe

*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available
Only Link estimates between 575-619 hp at 35 lbs of boost on a HX40

*Usage Type
-->Originally Street/Strip that turned into a WW, call out car.

*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again?
No
-->Would you choose a different next time (higher or lower clamp force)?
Yes a higher clamp force if available
-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time?
Yes, Probably a puck style or a different friction material that will hold my current level. My Kevlar/Ceramic disk did the same thing at the track. It didn't want to hold after a slip of the clutch to get the car off of the line so I pretty much have to dump it now to have it hold thru the other gears. I recently put a little more timing in the car and upped the boost to 39.1 lbs and at that level, the clutch let go in the middle of 3rd, exceeding the torque limit I am assuming.
I am going to be talking to Tim about a better clamping setup for this next year. Over all I am happy as hell with it though. It feels great and clamps good and recovers from heat very well. On a lower hp car it would be a fantastic setup.

 

[twicks69]

My clutch pretty much did the same as Danielsl1999GSX did. It launched once after a 500 mile break in and after that, it must be glazed as it has never wanted to hold after slipping the clutch off a stop light hard or leaving the line under boost.



*Specific model used---Pressure plate type:
-->SS-X Series

---Disk type:
-->TZ/B-Series Kevlar / Ceramic dual friction

*Specific model flywheel used
-->ACT Streetlite Chromoly

*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch
4000 miles, maybe

*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available
Only Link estimates between 575-619 hp at 35 lbs of boost on a HX40

*Usage Type
-->Originally Street/Strip that turned into a WW, call out car.

*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again?
No
-->Would you choose a different next time (higher or lower clamp force)?
Yes a higher clamp force if available
-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time?
Yes, Probably a puck style or a different friction material that will hold my current level. My Kevlar/Ceramic disk did the same thing at the track. It didn't want to hold after a slip of the clutch to get the car off of the line so I pretty much have to dump it now to have it hold thru the other gears. I recently put a little more timing in the car and upped the boost to 39.1 lbs and at that level, the clutch let go in the middle of 3rd, exceeding the torque limit I am assuming.
I am going to be talking to Tim about a better clamping setup for this next year. Over all I am happy as hell with it though. It feels great and clamps good and recovers from heat very well. On a lower hp car it would be a fantastic setup.

Yeah dude, we can discuss it; I think either a full face ceramic or their HD hub ceramic 6-puck would work better if you plan on upping it; I'm guessing you glazed the Kevlar side and it never recovered. I can also have them do a custom pressure plate with a higher clamp force if you like. No worries!

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Thanks for chiming in Tim!! Yeah since it is cold as hell out and the car is outside it will be a month or so but I do plan on coming to YOU for my next one. I knew you could help me out like you always do. I cranked up the boost the other night to 40 and threw 3 more degree's of timing in her up top and she came to life like never before. I did the 1g shuffle all threw 1st and 2nd and when I got into 3rd she gripped and laid me in the seat like never before, but I had never thrown that much timing and boost to her yet....she loved it but the clutch let loose at 7000ish and freewheeled until I pedaled it then it grabbed and recovered but that let a 383 Chevy motor on just as I was getting ready to Choo Choo around him. I now know the limit of my "kill" tune so it was a learning experience. All good though!!! I was looking on your website for a 2900 SBC, do they make a plate that heavy, and if so, what is my pedal feel going to be like if you have ever experienced one of them? I love that one you sold me, I have just built more than I ever thought a 4 cylinder would do since I am a old school Chevy man. I'm sold on DSM's for boggie woggieing and my old friends think I am going thru the change of life, .

 

[twicks69]

Thanks for chiming in Tim!! Yeah since it is cold as hell out and the car is outside it will be a month or so but I do plan on coming to YOU for my next one. I knew you could help me out like you always do. I cranked up the boost the other night to 40 and threw 3 more degree's of timing in her up top and she came to life like never before. I did the 1g shuffle all threw 1st and 2nd and when I got into 3rd she gripped and laid me in the seat like never before, but I had never thrown that much timing and boost to her yet....she loved it but the clutch let loose at 7000ish and freewheeled until I pedaled it then it grabbed and recovered but that let a 383 Chevy motor on just as I was getting ready to Choo Choo around him. I now know the limit of my "kill" tune so it was a learning experience. All good though!!! I was looking on your website for a 2900 SBC, do they make a plate that heavy, and if so, what is my pedal feel going to be like if you have ever experienced one of them? I love that one you sold me, I have just built more than I ever thought a 4 cylinder would do since I am a old school Chevy man. I'm sold on DSM's for boggie woggieing and my old friends think I am going thru the change of life, .

I have had them make me a couple pressure plates in the past in the 2900-3200# range for customers that asked for it; the pedal gets a bit stiffer, but the torque capacity also goes up. The full ceramic disk or the 6-puck HD ceramic disk will also help with keeping the power down to the ground.

40psi+ through a HX40 should be able to put down in the 600-650awhp range with quite a bit of torque since you are over-spinning the turbo. A glazed kevlar surface won't hold it; the ceramic will. Same with a modified pressure plate.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

And there we have it straight from the man that knows! Thanks Tim, I will be in touch very soon (before I run out of car funds). I sure appreciate the guidance from you! I will be back at your website soon, browsing.
Marty

 

[twicks69]

As an FYI Marty, I looked up your invoicing history; you are on a K536SSTZ/B; which is the 2200# pressure plate. You are finding the limits of it, if it's the same clutch you bought in 2014.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Thanks Tim. Yep same clutch. With that in mind, do you think the 2600 would be able to hold on a lot better?
This little monster keeps getting more powerful as I tune more and run more boost. I NEVER in the world thought this little car would do what it is doing hehehe.

 

[twicks69]

Thanks Tim. Yep same clutch. With that in mind, do you think the 2600 would be able to hold on a lot better?
This little monster keeps getting more powerful as I tune more and run more boost. I NEVER in the world thought this little car would do what it is doing hehehe.

Either a SS-X pressure plate with full ceramic disk or the ceramic 6-puck will do it. Now, if your goals are more power past this point, then we would have to do a custom pressure plate with a higher clamp load than the SS-X pressure plate, or start discussing a Quarter Master 7.25" Street Twin.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

This is the plate that I have in. I think that I thought it was an SS-X because of the decals on the plate. Is this a 2200 Tim? It works great, just needs more clamp than I had anticipated and a disk that will grip better. The Kevlar/Ceramic always recovers itself so I will use this in another one of my DSM's.

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[twicks69]

This is the plate that I have in. I think that I thought it was an SS-X because of the decals on the plate. Is this a 2200 Tim? It works great, just needs more clamp than I had anticipated and a disk that will grip better. The Kevlar/Ceramic always recovers itself so I will use this in another one of my DSM's.

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That Sir is the SS-Series 2200# pressure plate; there isn't a marking after the sticker denoting the SS-X; sometimes they use a marker, sometimes a sticker. Either way, you have found the limits of the SS-series pressure plate, which is around the 550-600TQ range; which I also rate as 550TQ maximum on the website.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

You are spot on with the torque range. I upped the tune and was over 500 on torque on my laptop so I will dial her back some until I can get a beefier unit in its place. Thanks for all the information, it is appreciated by us all!
Here is the point where that 2200 decided it couldn't hold it anymore in Link...

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[Mauispyder]

*Specific model used
---Pressure plate type:
-->SS-Series

---Disk type:
-->TZ-Series full Kevlar

*Specific model flywheel used
-->ACT Streetlite Chromoly

*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch
About 1 month and 450 miles on the break in, combined city, hwy, country rds

*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available
Stock except for T28, tuning in progress with power goal of 260 or so

*Usage Type
-->Daily Driver
-->Possible future autoX

*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again? Yes
-->Would you choose a different pressure plate next time (higher or lower clamp force)?Same, don't want to overstress an old engine
-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time? Probably Not, I think I like this Kevlar stuff, but not enough experience yet with anything but stock clutch, my goal is longevity, drivability and ability to handle moderate power
-->If your clutch wore out, how long did you have it for and mileage before it wore out the actual friction linings as a direct relation to usage, not due to other circumstances like hydraulics, pedal assembly or adjustment issues. Still breaking in, the original clutch lasted 120,000mi, so that's the benchmark!

I was really surprised by and enjoy the feather weight feel of this PP and clutch. Shifts like butter. Takes a little getting used to. I have a habit of blipping the throttle between shifts to "rpm match" as this seemed to help with shifting on the oem setup. With the new setup, this maneuver seems to cause some surging or skipping as I engage in 2nd gear only. Engaging in 2nd is definitely smoother when I just let the clutch engage while keeping my foot completely off the throttle. It seems to be getting smoother as of this week but maybe it's just the car training me. I shift a bit slow and I've never felt myself to be a wizard with a manual shifting car, but my OE clutch went 120,000, with me responsible for 80,000 of that. Also I used to get an annoying howl from the tranny when coasting downhill in 3rd gear, this has now gone away, however it might also help that the tranny fluid was changed for the first time ever to Redline. Overall I really like the setup I have and hope it lasts a long long time.

 

[blizz99]

*Specific model used
---Pressure plate type:
ACT 2900

---Disk type:
B-Series full Ceramic


*Specific model flywheel used
ACT Streetlite Chromoly


*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch
~3,000

*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available
669WHP/498FT-LBS(We tried keeping the torque down to save the trans)

*Usage Type
Street/Strip



*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again?
It would be the only setup I would run......but I went auto
-->Would you choose a different Wouldyouchooseadi_1" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">pressure plate next time (higher or lower clamp force)?
No
-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time?
No
-->If your clutch wore out, how long did you have it for and mileage before it wore out the actual friction linings as a direct relation to usage, not due to other circumstances like hydraulics, pedal assembly or adjustment issues.
It has some life left in her

 

[v8s_are_slow]

My car has been down constantly but hoping that'll change within the next month and then I can start posting some results. Think I'm swapping to an aluminum rod 6 bolt motor since I keep having issues with this 7 bolt motor.

 

[Dhan]

It's been a couple years, so I thought it's probably time to share a little South Bend experience.

*Specific model used
---Pressure plate type:
SS-Series

---Disk type:
TZ-Series full Kevlar

*Specific model flywheel used
Stock

*Duration of usage AND mileage on clutch
About two years and 6,750 miles

*Power levels and Drag ET's/MPH if available
Unknown power level, but 22 psi on a small 16g and high 13s/low 14 second 1/4 miles (at 5,280 feet elevation)

*Usage Type
Daily Driver
Drag Car

*Short personal evaluation of the clutch you chose
-->Would you buy the same one again?
More than likely yes. I think this clutch has a good balance between street usability and occasional racing. There's probably a good 30 minutes between each run at my drag strip so the clutch I got has time to cool. But if I was racing more I'd probably go one step higher in torque capacity. Day to day driving is pleasant with this clutch no matter if it's -10 or 95 degrees outside.

-->Would you choose a different pressure plate next time (higher or lower clamp force)?
No. Clamp force is fine and I'd likely stick with this SS pressure plate. I prefer a little extra force on the clutch pedal. The SS is nothing too crazy, definitely firmer, but I can sit in stop-and-go traffic and my leg doesn't get tired.

-->Would you choose a different clutch disk friction material next time?
No. The only other clutch experience I have is the organic OEM style but I like the forgiving Kevlar material that can glaze, but easily be deglazed with some hard driving. The stench of smoking clutch isn't something I've had to deal with since getting this SS-TZ.

-->If your clutch wore out, how long did you have it for and mileage before it wore out the actual friction linings as a direct relation to usage, not due to other circumstances like hydraulics, pedal assembly or adjustment issues.
I guess I'll update this when I finally manage to burn through this clutch.

 

[doubleclutch]

@twicks69
What would you recommend for occasional road course track days and very minimal drag? My max power will most likely be less than 450 ft/lbs and I enjoy puttsing around town. Will the SS - TZ be enough? I read the whole thread and it seems they hold up to ~500 ft/lbs at the crank. Would the life of the SS be less then the same set-up with an SSX?

I was going to go ACT2600 but it sounds crude/barbaric compared to what everyone is saying on here.

Thanks!

 

[TSIfreek]

I would use a ssx plate and the standard carbon sprung disk with a steel flywheel.
TMZ can hook you up with a sick price and the best service.

 

[doubleclutch]

I would use a ssx plate and the standard carbon sprung disk with a steel flywheel.
TMZ can hook you up with a sick price and the best service.

SSX plate, any reasons behind that?

Carbon disc? you mean kevlar? SSX dosnt have standard organic discs.

 

[TSIfreek]

The SSX plate will hold more power and still have a light petal feel. Yes the organic disk is what I meant. I would not use the kevlar as it will glaze over from excessive heat and become useless.
You can use any disk with the ssx plate just ask tim.