Southbend clutch!!

[SNoyes]

Anyone running a Southbend clutch. Looking to put there 650 HP capable double disk clutch in (with upgraded Hydraulics). How's the pedal pressure? Is it every day driveable? Putting it on a 2006 mega cab G-56 with the smarty tuner. Just want some insurance on the clutch holding up with the extra power/torque + pulling my car hauler (12K lbs) Thanks...

Shane

 

[jwilliams3]

It will hold whatever you throw at it.....

The sprung hub dd is what you want/need it aids with driveability. Pedal pressure aint too bad as long as you dont go over the 3600lb plate load area.

 

[oneshotkyle]

i worked with peter at SBC on one for my truck before they were released and have had no problems to date. mine is a 3250lb lever type pressure plate. not a diaphram. it has been flawless to date. i pull my toy hauler with a combined weight of 24. 5k at 486hp with no problems whatsoever. i have also done a few 4WD, 3RD gear launches... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Oo.

 

[TheWolf]

Just upgraded my FE to the 3600 sprung hub DD. I have only had it in and drove it 1 day so far. It is really smooth, but pedal effort and and engagement is a little different, especially after I have been driving my TDI VW as a daily driver the last couple of months (49. 5 mpg) to work. Pedal pressure is definately more noticable than stock, but can be driven every day.

The sprung hub should do you good for towing

 

[sag2]

We put one in a G56 equipped truck a few months ago and the gear rattle will drive you crazy. It holds the power fine, but as in everything, there are trade offs. It is amazing how much tuning is in the dual mass for noise.

 

[SNoyes]

Ouch,



Man just ordered this thing from Southbend and no one mentioned the "noise... " Definately a show stopper for me, because this thing is driven as a daily driver, and rattling to me in a $50K truck is unacceptable... Wish I knew that before I had this thing 2 day air shipped to Alaska. . I'll call Southbend tomorrow to discuss this as I was unaware that the G-56 rattles so bad that it will drive me/my wife crazy. . Thanks for the inputs. . Shane

 

[jwilliams3]

Solid hub dual discs make an audible rattle when the clutch is disengaged. The solid DD's also can increase vibrations felt from the engine, drivetrain, transmission etc.



With the sprung hub unit vibrations are reduced. I dont know how the noise is because I have never had the sprung unit.



Either way if you are putting in a dual disc you shoud really get a Fluidampr. It greatly reduced transmission vibration, noise for me... .

 

[oneshotkyle]

i have heard non dampened and drive my dampened one all over. it is way quieter. if you decide to go single disc shame on you, i tried the same route twice in 2 months both times in failure. now that i have the spring dampened double disc. i have been problem free. the loudest part of the DD is when you hold the clutch in for an extended time (stop light) and thats about it. i personally don't think it is all that loud and neither do any of my friends and they drive auto's. definatly the only route to go if you have a g56 and want the power and still be able to tow. one more thing if you have larger tires they put extra stain on the clutch as i have found out the hard way. just for thought... ... ... .

 

[ENafziger]

I can't wait! I ordered my SB 3850 12 CB DD sprung hub last week... it should be here any day now. Looks like most are going with 3600 plate loading... any one daily driving with a 3850?

 

[RobertP]

i have installed many of these units. i think that when i do bite the bullet and buy mine i will be going with the 3600 pressure plate. but if you are worried about the pedal pressure the 3250 is all you would need. it will still hold the power you want.



as for the noise it is greatly reduced with the sprung hub. i think you will be pretty happy with it. i can tell you that southbend has done there homework with this one. its a great product.

 

[SNoyes]

OK fellas,



Purchased and had professionally installed this DD clutch from Southbend. 3600# pressure plate is a stiff clutch. When this clutch engages it goes, but there is no "riding" the clutch. Either your grabbed, or not, made for a pretty interesting hill start. Rattles at idle WITHOUT the clutch pushed in. Actually is very loud, bordering too loud. Does not make any noise at all if I hold the clutch in at idle. When merging on the highway and pushing to 3000 RPM, everytime I push the clutch in I get this rrrrrrraaaammmmmpppp sound for a second as I push the clutch in, then goes away until the next shift (repeat). Pushing the clutch down it now squeaks. The hydraulic line for the slave is tight, maybe too tight (transmission shop was afraid it was going to work itself apart with the engine torquing back and forth over time). Going to get some getting used too, if you asked me right now I would say a little dissapointed. Alot of money invested here, don't know if I am going to like this. The wife cannot drive the truck anymore because the pedal pressure is too much (yes, she is 100 lbs tiny thing). So, overall is this what you guys experiences have been with this clutch? 1. Noise at idle, 2. Sound everytime you shift at higher RPMs, 3. Squeaking pedal? Or is this just the clutch breaking in? BTW, the transmission shop said this was a good looking, heavy duty clutch, which I keep reminding myself. But I have gone from a truck that I could order drive up in without shutting the motor off, to a truck I need to shut down to hear someone trying to talk to me with my windows down. I was told by Peter that at SBC that the noise should only be when holding the clutch down, but it was the opposite. He laughed, said every truck was different, and that it was a matter of time before the rattle would be when I held the clutch down? Experiences, thoughts? Thanks for the inputs fellas,



Shane

 

[TheWolf]

AS you have mentioned the noise, I was a little dissapointed also with how noisy my sprung hub clutch is. It has some noise at idle, but a lot of noise with the clutch pushed in. But I do not need to shut the truck off to talk to someone because of the rattle though

 

[MBallard]

I Have The Dd 4200 And It Also Rattles, My 6 Speed Does Rattle At

Idle Not Holding The Clutch,i Have Talked To Few Other People And

They Said Putting A Fluidamper On Will Help Alot I Have Not Tried The Yet

 

[Matt S]

Did you get the hydraulic upgrade with the clutch? Is it the 6 or 12 button version?

 

[jwilliams3]

OK fellas,



Purchased and had professionally installed this DD clutch from Southbend. 3600# pressure plate is a stiff clutch. When this clutch engages it goes, but there is no "riding" the clutch. Either your grabbed, or not, made for a pretty interesting hill start. Rattles at idle WITHOUT the clutch pushed in. Actually is very loud, bordering too loud. Does not make any noise at all if I hold the clutch in at idle. When merging on the highway and pushing to 3000 RPM, everytime I push the clutch in I get this rrrrrrraaaammmmmpppp sound for a second as I push the clutch in, then goes away until the next shift (repeat). Pushing the clutch down it now squeaks. The hydraulic line for the slave is tight, maybe too tight (transmission shop was afraid it was going to work itself apart with the engine torquing back and forth over time). Going to get some getting used too, if you asked me right now I would say a little dissapointed. Alot of money invested here, don't know if I am going to like this. The wife cannot drive the truck anymore because the pedal pressure is too much (yes, she is 100 lbs tiny thing). So, overall is this what you guys experiences have been with this clutch? 1. Noise at idle, 2. Sound everytime you shift at higher RPMs, 3. Squeaking pedal? Or is this just the clutch breaking in? BTW, the transmission shop said this was a good looking, heavy duty clutch, which I keep reminding myself. But I have gone from a truck that I could order drive up in without shutting the motor off, to a truck I need to shut down to hear someone trying to talk to me with my windows down. I was told by Peter that at SBC that the noise should only be when holding the clutch down, but it was the opposite. He laughed, said every truck was different, and that it was a matter of time before the rattle would be when I held the clutch down? Experiences, thoughts? Thanks for the inputs fellas,



Shane

Get a fluidampr... it will help with the vibes your getting.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HMMmmm - guess I'll need to watch this thread a bit closer - I was about ready to order one of the SBC DD setups myself - a LITTLE noise with the clutch disengaged is no big deal - but some of the other related issues might be.



Perhaps all we're seeing here is a rare anomaly - I hope!

 

[SNoyes]

Yes,



Like I said, the transmission shop was impressed with the quality of the clutch. However, prior to purchasing a DD, make sure you know all of the information. They are noisy, the 3600# pressure plate makes the clutch, well, harded than stock (I heard you could opt for the 3250# and the pedal pressure is less?). The random rattles are there, and I wanted to make sure all my rattles seemed to be in line. Does anyone with the DD have a whiring sound when passing 3000 RPM and pressing in the clutch to shift to the next gear? Is that normal, abnormal? Yes, it has an ungraded hydraulics. Still have 120 miles until I have completed the "break in. " The clutch does not slip, at all, even a little, as advertised. So, like most are saying here, there is give and take with a mod like this. Probably went away from stock more than I was comfortable with... BUt again, time will tell, this thing should be rattling around here for 200,000+ miles without any problems... .



Shane

 

[Tomeygun]

I have my 3600# sprung hub in the garage and being installed by TST on July 11th... I will be sure to post my experience...



I am having TST do it because when I heard one of TST's truck with a DD in it, it was not loud at all. Especially compared to 2nd gen engines.



If mine is not loud it might mean there is install techniques to lessen the noise.



BTW - found Fluidamprs around 400-425 or so, Worth it or not?

 

[jwilliams3]

If mine is not loud it might mean there is install techniques to lessen the noise.



BTW - found Fluidamprs around 400-425 or so, Worth it or not?

Nothing during install will effect noise either way. Yeah on the fluidampr.

 

[JFaulkner]

Nothing during install will effect noise either way.

I beg to differ, if you don't install it correctly and try and force it, you'll bend the disks then they don't rattle at all. :-laf You can ask my local dodge dealership who had to buy 2 new disks for an EEP DD. woops.