Southbend clutches

KubotaPowered · Nov 19, 2009

I noticed last night my clutch slipping pretty bad last night in 3rd and 4th gear, its the stock Sachs and DMF with just over 100k miles on it. I'm surprised it has lasted this long with a VNT17 and RC2. I was looking at the SBC stage 1 full disc that's rated at 330ft/lbs and 16lb steel flywheel, does anyone have any experience with this clutch? My only concern is that my setup is close to maxing out that clutch as is but I don't want something that is so aggressive that it is hard to drive in traffic. Suggestions? TIA

Bob_Fout · Nov 19, 2009

Skip stage 1 and go with the stage 3.

ccvdubs · Nov 19, 2009

Bob_Fout said:
Skip stage 1 and go with the stage 3.

yeeaah what he said.

cog · Nov 19, 2009

most whove used stage 1 have found it holds quite allot but every car is not the same and clutches rated near the limit are never garunteed which is why i skipped stage 1 and went to stge 3 , its a really great clutch just a little judder when moving off but im told it will go eventually , although i have around 5,000 miles on it now and it feels really strong. youve just got the peace of mind that it will take what ever you throw at it

Souzafone · Nov 19, 2009

I've got a stage 1 with no issues, using a stock weight solid flywheel. It's been cold here a few mornings and passed the WFO highway merge test just fine.

otm646 · Nov 19, 2009

I am rather sure the Southbend stage one is just a VR6 clutch and pressure plate painted red. Can somone else confirm this?

a VR6 clutch set up should be enough for your current set up. If you are looking to go RC3 or greater I would go for the stage three clutch.

cog · Nov 19, 2009

that just something that dc cluthes put out , if its true then theres are just the same clutches painted black

. its all down to choice if your undicided or are concerned at all that it wont hold better off going for the bigger clutch for peice of mine that you wont at least have to do the job twice.
but i personnaly think that if souzaphone is running a 17/22 with 11mm pump pp520s and rc5, that they must be allot better than a stock vr6 kit painted red as any stock sachs or valoe kit would of been toasted with that setup

dbeck_01 · Nov 19, 2009

stage 3 is nice

KROUT · Nov 19, 2009

I have to agree I have had 2 sbc stage3's in 2 different cars. One with a stock weight single mass no rattle at all. And one with the stock duel mass. They both felt great and held really well. I need to replace the spec with an sbc in my golf but the spec clutch just keeps on going over 150k of abuse on it.

streeker02 · Nov 19, 2009

I installed a SB stage 3 just a week ago w/17lb single mass...still breaking it in, but my initial impression is great. Very light pedal feel (maybe even lighter than stock?) and verrrry grabby

Still babying it somewhat, I can't wait to really get on it and see how it grabs

dbeck_01 · Nov 19, 2009

yea i noticed a lighter than stock feel as well upon installing mine too.

Mike96ZJ · Nov 19, 2009

I really expected a heavier than stock feel when I installed mine. I was happily surprised to find it lighter than stock. I was actually thinking that I screwed something up before I started the car.

KROUT · Nov 20, 2009

I did not think either of mine were lighter than stock. I thought they were just slightly stiffer.

Jasengine · Nov 20, 2009

I also have have the stage 3 with lightened flywheel. It holds all I throw at it and almost 100% stock feel.

KubotaPowered · Nov 20, 2009

Thanks for all the input! I'm pretty much sold on the stage 3 and solid flywheel, anything to make the OEM DMF go byebye. I've got a VR6 turbo MK3 Jetta also thats well over 500whp and the clutch engagement sucks, especially around town, its more of an on/off switch, that is what I am trying to avoid here, but from the sounds of it, it should be an issue

PDJetta · Nov 20, 2009

otm646 said:
I am rather sure the Southbend stage one is just a VR6 clutch and pressure plate painted red. Can somone else confirm this?

a VR6 clutch set up should be enough for your current set up. If you are looking to go RC3 or greater I would go for the stage three clutch.

I dunno. My G60/VR-6 clutch is slipping now sometimes with full torque application in 4th and 5th gear at lower RPMs. I would go with a better/stronger clutch.

--Nate

scubagli · Nov 20, 2009

I just installed a spec stage 3, with a g60 smfw I got at auto zone for $60.00. The clutch feels great, I've got about 400 miles on it so far, it feels like stock, although there is some shutter on start up. I went with the spec over the sb for the price difference, I spent a total of 480.00 for clutch, flywheel, all related bolts. But if money isn't a problem get the sb stage 3 I've heard nothing but good things. good luck!

Scott_DeWitt · Nov 20, 2009

I've dealt with a number of clutch companies, and Southbend by far has better service than any of the others. Their clutches are also rated conservatively, and hold up very well to abuse.

I sell southbend and can offer free ground shipping on any SB clutch product purchased.

cog · Nov 20, 2009

Scott_DeWitt said:
I've dealt with a number of clutch companies, and Southbend by far has better service than any of the others. Their clutches are also rated conservatively, and hold up very well to abuse.

I sell southbend and can offer free ground shipping on any SB clutch product purchased.

thsi is true ive spoke to southbend themselves and they said in testing they quote the lowest tourque figure that a clutch slipped at even if the average is much higher . some manufactures will only give you the best figure a said clutch reached before slipping . its always good to know , so you see 325ftbls for an sbc 1 means it should not slip with anything less which seems along way in front of a stock vr6 clutch but thats just my ten peneth worth everyoe hasd there veiws

PDJetta · Nov 20, 2009

"...so you see 325ftbls for an sbc 1 means it should not slip with anything less which seems along way in front of a stock vr6 clutch but thats just my ten peneth worth..."

Like I mentioned before, my G60/VR-6 clutch kit now slips with my RC 2. This began after about 30,000 miles of "normal" use.

--Nate

Scott_DeWitt · Nov 20, 2009

I'd bet money that other factors are in play.

Bob_Fout · Nov 20, 2009

My Valeo G60/VR6 started slipping with Sprint 520s, a stage 3 tune and winter air. I was pretty annoyed.

dieselpower04 · Nov 20, 2009

This is how I see it on clutches: Go big or go home!! My stock clutch started to slip with RC2. I upgraded to a G60/VR6 set up. Then I went RC3 with a 17/22. The VR6 clutch slipped after 10k miles...now I have SBC Stage 3 and will never worry about it again...

Do ittttttttt!!!

INA · Nov 20, 2009

scubagli said:
I just installed a spec stage 3, with a g60 smfw I got at auto zone for $60.00. The clutch feels great, I've got about 400 miles on it so far, it feels like stock, although there is some shutter on start up. I went with the spec over the sb for the price difference, I spent a total of 480.00 for clutch, flywheel, all related bolts. But if money isn't a problem get the sb stage 3 I've heard nothing but good things. good luck!

400 miles is nothing...
wait till you have 5000 miles on it and you are screaming on the phone @ Jeremy@SPEC.
Trust me it wont be fun...

Scott_DeWitt said:
I'd bet money that other factors are in play.

YuP!
South Bend FTW!

"Yes it's a Diesel" · Nov 20, 2009

I got my Southbend Stage 3 Clutch from Peter at TDI parts about a year ago now, and I have subjected it to some serious abuse. Never once has it smelled like a burning clutch, never once has it slipped on me, and never once have I had a problem with it. I do not drive my car easy, and this clutch just gets better as the miles get put on it.

The only thing that I don't care for is the rattle with the 17lb. single mass flywheel that I put on the car. If I could go back I would probably go with the stock rated one, but hey nothing a straight piped exhaust can't drown out.

KubotaPowered · Nov 20, 2009

I think that while the trans is out I may give it the Quaife treatment and new bearings.

Jasengine · Nov 20, 2009

Ahhh, quality

cog · Nov 20, 2009

it also comes with a cool keyring

TDICADDGUY · Nov 20, 2009

cog said:
it also comes with a cool keyring

Nuts...I didn't get one!

borachris · Nov 20, 2009

I might have to look into these south bend clutches, I can't remember what my Helix is good for, the new turbo might be too much for it.

Southbend clutches

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