Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Con-o, or conned?

[Oil Burner1]

So I just got a South Bend Con-O. But the pressure plate is a Luk part # and the disk is a Valeo part #?! Should I have just gotten a Luk setup for less muny since that is what I got anyways? I'm kinda feelin' ripped off.

 

[RonA]

Might be a good idea to call South Bend and voice your concerns.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

So I just got a South Bend Con-O. But the pressure plate is a Luk part # and the disk is a Valeo part #?! Should I have just gotten a Luk setup for less muny since that is what I got anyways? I'm kinda feelin' ripped off.

The Luk pressure plate has been modified to a higher plate load and the Valio clutch disc with the steel back high performance clutch facings is also much stonger then the Luk disc.



All clutch companies start with a base product, it is what we do to it that makes the difference.



Peter

 

[Cummins724]

Luk makes the stock clutch for the Dodge trucks & what Southbend is doing is same as everyone else... . take a stock disc & making it better. That said Valair is doing the same thing as Southbend & backing up their products even better from what I am hearing. My next clutch will be a Valair clutch & have some money in my pocket to play with when I am done. Valair also has the upgraded slave cylinders cheaper than SB too. I have a family to feed on top of other things..... call me a penny pincher, but I can buy a valair for $300-$400 cheaper.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Oil Burner- welcome to the TDR! I'm kind of curious why you didn't just ask Peter about the concern directly.

Greg

 

[Cummins724]

Oil Burner- welcome to the TDR! I'm kind of curious why you didn't just ask Peter about the concern directly.

Greg

I was wondering the same thing..... this is not a good idea to just bash on products without talking to the supplier first. Peter is supplying top notch products & leading the industry in clutch technology. Conned is a harsh word & rather offensive if you ask me. I understand what you were getting at, but believe me..... Southbend is top of the line because the product delivered to you is just that. I saw this alot over the last few years where the bashing did no good for the members & nothing but trouble has come from the posts... . just trying to help.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Oil Burner- welcome to the TDR! I'm kind of curious why you didn't just ask Peter about the concern directly.

Greg

Not so strange...



If a guy isn't familiar with a specific retailer, they would often rather get info from independent sources than from the retailer, who often has only their own interests to promote and possibly slant.



We might go to a retailer for basic product info - but who better to ask about specific product satisfaction and info than the actual users - and why would a reputable retailer (like Peter) care where supporting product info comes from - the old "no better advertising than a SATISFIED customer" still holds true!



And SBC has plenty of those!

 

[HRDROKN]

Not so strange...



If a guy isn't familiar with a specific retailer, they would often rather get info from independent sources than from the retailer, who often has only their own interests to promote and possibly slant.



We might go to a retailer for basic product info - but who better to ask about specific product satisfaction and info than the actual users - and why would a reputable retailer (like Peter) care where supporting product info comes from - the old "no better advertising than a SATISFIED customer" still holds true!



And SBC has plenty of those!

Well stated!

 

[Cummins724]

I understand Gary & good point.

 

[jelag]

As a long time member TDR, and one who posts often... in areas that concern me, I'm going out on a limb here... .

I was sitting at an APRA meeting... . Automotive Parts Rebuilders Assoc... several of the guys mentioned here on this thread are members... . and a sub group, Clutch Division... . we all sit around the bar after the meetings and chew the fat and share what works and what we have issues with... .

One of the members mentioned one evening that he just loved this board... . and was going to continue to raise prices... . at that time, I personally decided never to offer our products, through this venue... ... . we have offered pacbrake and have done so in what we feel is a professional way... . but the BS around these clutches requires me to put on my hip boots... . and wade through the swamp so to speak. . We do a very nice brisk business from our store front... That evening 5 or 6 years ago... was the last we saw of him... he's still a member but inactive so to speak... . This young mans father was one of the nicest men in our industry I've ever met... . and over the years I've sat and listen to him speak and share his thoughts..... its too bad he's not around today..... I'm sure he'd talk to his boy about his actions... .

I know I'll get threatening note..... but beware of what you buy?? There are some very good values here... . and some not so good!!!!

 

[Oil Burner1]

I was wondering the same thing..... this is not a good idea to just bash on products without talking to the supplier first. Peter is supplying top notch products & leading the industry in clutch technology. Conned is a harsh word & rather offensive if you ask me. I understand what you were getting at, but believe me..... Southbend is top of the line because the product delivered to you is just that. I saw this alot over the last few years where the bashing did no good for the members & nothing but trouble has come from the posts... . just trying to help.

Sorry if it sounded like bashing, but I was only asking questions. I didn't know there was a South Bend rep. here, but if I had I still would have asked the forum members to get a unbiased answer. I chose SBC in the 1st because of posting generated by a search and the fact that Piers Diesel sells them.



Seeing other mfg. names on a product inside a box labeled with a third party branding just hit a chord. I've used Centerforce several times and had never noticed a name other than Centerforce on the parts. Maybe the pretty orange paint was a distraction!



Thanks for your replies, I feel better now:-laf I'll report back in 200miles!!

 

[Cummins724]

You didn't offend me in any way at all..... I was speaking from Peters point of view. I saw a post a while back about ETR [Geoff] & the big misunderstanding there & just didn't want this one to get out of hand. Bashing isn't good, but I guess you weren't really bashing..... just searching for facts. Party on!