SHOCKING CLUTCH FINDINGS you have too see!!!

[RobertP]

Im going to start by telling you that i have a G56 transmission and i installed a Valair conversion kit about a month and a half ago. i ran that setup for about a month and it held great, but it was very noisy. i put alittle over 1100 miles on it the first 300 of them were very light miles. after that i started doing some third gear launches it held great, all except a 4x4 launch didn't go to well.



well then about 3 weeks ago i received some information that made me want to pull the trans back out to investigate. so i did but not before having another setup on hand. that Peter at Southbend provided for me.



well here is what i found, the input shaft didn't go but 3/4's of and inch into the clutch disc. you can see here. the tape measure starts where the clutch disc's hub started.

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so you can only imagine what would happen if the 4x4 launch would have held. i would have sheered off the tip of my input shaft.





here are some more photo's of the Valair setup.

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the depth of the disc hub



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the flywheel with 1100 miles on it. continued.

 

[RobertP]

here are a few more of the Valair setup

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the clutch disc with 1100 miles on it.



here are some to show the difference between the two flywheels

Valair in front Southbend behind

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from another angle

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here are some more flywheel pics to show the difference between the two

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valair flywheel

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Southbend flywheel

 

[WDimig]

very intersting :--) :-laf

 

[RobertP]

ok so now my review



the Valair set up yes it held the power but would it have held to more? probably not without catastrophic failure.

with the truck in neutral it was very noisy if you let the rpm's below 1600 and wanted to accelerate it would vibrate like crazy with alot of noise. taking off was very tough to do with out banging your head off the headrest.



the Southbend OFE yes i said OFE that i have now is holding the same power, and is as quiet as the stocker. taking off is a breeze and it is much more streetable. i am going to have to say it is a night and day difference between the two.



i will have more pictures very soon off a digital camera (not my phone)



in closing if you have a G56 transmission and are running the Valair conversion please do yourself a favor and pull it to see for yourself.

please post your findings.



Robert



sorry for the long read but i had to let everyone know. before we see G56's failing all over the place

 

[Luken]

If I recall a few said give SBC a call from the start. LOL

 

[RobertP]

If I recall a few said give SBC a call from the start. LOL

very true. but someone had to be the stupid one and not listen why not have it be me!!! :-laf



you live you learn (the hard way)



Robert

 

[oneshotkyle]

good to see someone has learned something. some never learn. LOL... ... ...

 

[jwilliams3]

Looks like Valair didnt finish their homework on their "clutch".

 

[TJJEEPER]

Interesting...

What is the mounted difference between the flywheels? Looking at the picture of the two on the bench it looks like the thickness is the same and just the mounting surfaces are different. Looking at the starter rings has me wondering too. If the additional height of the SB translates to moving the clutch plate further on to the input shaft that would be a very good thing. Hopefully your starter isn't engaging only 1/2 of the starter ring!

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Interesting...



What is the mounted difference between the flywheels? Looking at the picture of the two on the bench it looks like the thickness is the same and just the mounting surfaces are different. Looking at the starter rings has me wondering too. If the additional height of the SB translates to moving the clutch plate further on to the input shaft that would be a very good thing. Hopefully your starter isn't engaging only 1/2 of the starter ring!

This is the reason they were supplying a starter spacer with their clutch.

This goes to show that you should not try to build a clutch off pictures from our website. :-laf



Peter

 

[RobertP]

i have some pictures of the starter spacer also. i just have to get them resized from my camera. i thought something was a little funny when i had to move my starter back but it just didn't click in my head at the time. boy if peter didn't contact me i would really be up the creek without a input shaft.

i just want to say thanks to all of the guys especially peter over at southbend for making there products right before putting them out to the public.



Robert

 

[Hammer]

Robert. .

I am glad to see that you have righted the problem with you clutch. As I have said before to you,its a shame that manufacturers you,a consumer,without any knowledge,as a R&D center. Keep that other clutch as a reminder for yourself and to show others what could happen with a bad purchase.



One thing is for sure,people need to pay more attention to Southbend Clutch(Peter) when they do post. Its not often we see Peter post but when he does they are usually about facts,plain and simple and right to the point and save owners money in the long run. THANK YOU for a job well done Peter.



Another thing Robert. .

IF you could make another photo album in your readers rig area which show the full size shots that can be loaded here it would be a great reference for all to have later to fall back on and look at. The larger shots would show the differences much easier and allow for those who may question you here to see what the differences are to see them for themselves... ... ... ... ... Andy

 

[RobertP]

I would like to add do you think that Valair would have paid for my labor on R&R of the transmission if my input shaft would have sheered off. i don't

im sure at this point because it didn't, they would say we would've paid for it if it was damaged, but im sure if there was damage in the first place i would have gotten no help. so this is for all of you guys with G56 trannies who want a new clutch please look closely at this post before you decide.



i am actually glad i went through all of this, just so i can make sure no one else makes the same mistake i did.

doing a clutch install twice is not bad, but when one of them causes catastrophic failure im sure its gets real bad.



Robert

 

[Cummins724]

I wish someone would have a group buy on southbend clutches. My brother needs one for his 04. 5. Any takers?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

the OFE is an awesome clutch...



mine held a set of DDP4's, a 913 pump w/ the rack resting on the front plug, and a PDR35-12/S400 combo set at 50psi.

 

[telliott]

I wish someone would have a group buy on southbend clutches. My brother needs one for his 04. 5. Any takers?

I'd be up for it.

 

[Signal73]

With the title of the post this should be on Jerry springer... .

 

[Tomeygun]

the OFE is an awesome clutch...



mine held a set of DDP4's, a 913 pump w/ the rack resting on the front plug, and a PDR35-12/S400 combo set at 50psi.

Mine still holds daily driving, much to my amazment...

 

[RobertP]

I wish someone would have a group buy on southbend clutches. My brother needs one for his 04. 5. Any takers?

give me some time i will be up for running the group buy, after the holidays.



Robert

 

[thekidfan]

Just look at the thread "ltake a peek at what we're working on" !! That is Peter, he already has a great product but he not not willing to let it ride, he will find a way to make it better!

I'm very glad I spent the extra $$$ over 3 years ago and didn't listen to the people telling me not to buy a DD since I was only alittle over 400rwhp. It was great then and it still is today! Peter does false advertise though... ... ... ... ... ... cause mine has held all the way to 692. 5 Thanks Peter