SouthBend DD questions?

[JaMan]

I am fixing to buy a Southbend DD but not to shure as to which one. I drive the truck everyday 80miles roundtrip mostly open highway, so what clutch? My current setup makes 500+ hp and would like to add nitrous one day maybe, I don't really drag race but would like to try, and the same for sled pulling. There is about 3 a year around here so I might try it, just not going on the circut. What is the driveability difference in the 12 puck and the 6 puck? Should I get the 3850 or just the 3600? Any help would be appreciated.



Jared

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

jarred, i would say the 3600 if ure going to sled pull every now and then. ( i better see ya @ deleon ) but i hear some pretty good things about the 3850 and got to drive one last fall and it was pretty dang nice..... shoot Will24 @ PM he's extremely happy with is 3850 12cb assembly.

 

[therabbittree]

I'm in the same boat . . i am saving for abig clutch my stock slips now argh and i don't have many mods . . ha. i plan on doing much much more so i want a big cluthc. . debating which one to pick. .

Thanks

deo

 

[SRadke]

If you aren't afraid of pedal pressure get the 3850. Pedal pressure is the only real diffrence and it isn't too bad IMHO. If you're sledpulling go for 12 pucks. May be a little heavier but I ran one as a daily driver for over a year and did some heavy towing with no problems. Better to have too much than not enough IMHO.



-Scott

 

[Highfinance97]

i put a 3850 12 button ceramic in mine I LOVE IT!!! if your going to do only a couple pulls a year id recomend that or better yet call peter @ southbend 1-800-988-4345





If your worried about the pedel pressure, peter (SOUTHBENDCLUTCH) sells an upgraded master and slave setup. i put it on mine and its a big differance





just my . 02



Michael

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

My truck is a daily driver with 148,678 miles on it, I've got the 3850 12CB clutch and don't mind it at all until I get into busy stop and go traffic. If you ever want to drive it therabbittree, let me know, I work in Albany in fact I'll be working this weekend, give a shout. My only regret is that maybe I should've gone with the 4200lb iron giant but this clutch is doing great so far.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

PM me for a quote on SBC products. Just sold a 12cb 3850 to a local guy and he loves it. Pedal pressure is more than stock but not bad.



Trent

 

[Got Smoke?]

November will mark two years that I've had a SBC 3850 plate load 12CB DD in my truck. I have loved it, it has laughed at everything I've thrown at it. Definately a fully streetable/towable dual disk clutch!

 

[zstroken]

I think the 3850 would be a little much for a daily driver, depends on how much stop and go you do. I have an FE and I really wish I had a DD, but probably the 3600LB would be the one I would choose. The FE just doesn't like to back heavy items up. A friend of mine has the 3850 12 puck and it is a great clutch, but even with the upgraded hydraulics, you know your pushing on it.

 

[Got Smoke?]

I think the 3850 would be a little much for a daily driver, depends on how much stop and go you do. I have an FE and I really wish I had a DD, but probably the 3600LB would be the one I would choose. The FE just doesn't like to back heavy items up. A friend of mine has the 3850 12 puck and it is a great clutch, but even with the upgraded hydraulics, you know your pushing on it.

I've got the upgraded hydraulics, and I'm only 160lbs soaking wet. I drive mine every where, everyday!



I had a Ford delivery truck at work with a failing clutch that gave me more issues (knee hurt after driving it) than my SBC DD! :-laf

 

[therabbittree]

turbo tim ... i may take you up on that offer. im not too far from you. . infact i'll be passing thru monday night and weds afternoon ... pm or email me... . i heard the iron giant wasn't too good for the street . . ie if you shift fast for a stop light race it can't do it... you have to shift at low engine speeds . . is that true... ? . . the 3850 sounds good. . i plan on going pretty nuts in the future power wise and i don't want to have to redo again. . TJShotrod... i may be interested how many miles on yours?. . drop me a email or pm -- email address removed --

thanks guys,

Deo

 

[Got Smoke?]

turbo tim ... i may take you up on that offer. im not too far from you. . infact i'll be passing thru monday night and weds afternoon ... pm or email me... . i heard the iron giant wasn't too good for the street . . ie if you shift fast for a stop light race it can't do it... you have to shift at low engine speeds . . is that true... ? . . the 3850 sounds good. . i plan on going pretty nuts in the future power wise and i don't want to have to redo again. . TJShotrod... i may be interested how many miles on yours?. . drop me a email or pm -- email address removed --

thanks guys,

Deo

Go nuts all you want the 3850 Cermaic Button DD will handle it all! :-laf



What you've heard about the Iron Giant I have to say is false to an extent. Any of the DD's shift slower than a single disc clutch, and any DD will do that not just SBC's. It does make red light racing a little more difficult, but its one of the trade off's for having a clutch that will hold anything. The Iron Giant is just as street able as my 3850 CB. I know JR Adkins had one in his personal truck that was daily driven, until he sold it last year. Its still being driven daily to my knowledge? Also I have a friend who sled pulls heavily during the summer in KY and drives his 01 3500 everyday with a Iron Giant.



I got to drive JR's old truck one night a couple of years ago and the only significant difference I could tell over my 3850 DD is when you have to sit there and HOLD the pedal in you can tell it takes more effort.

 

[JaMan]

Will the 6 puck hold up to some slead pulls and still shift easier? Or faster I might say? Can you start out in 4th gear with a 6spd on the street? If the truck has enough knuts? Will the clutch hold?



Jared

 

[jwilliams3]

JaMan,

You need a 12CB or 12FB if you are going to be sledpulling that thing.



Yes, the clutch will hold up in whatever gear you choose on the street.

But I would say that taking off in 4th can result in driveline shutter since the DD does not forgive when engaged since it is not sprung like a normal "OEM" type clutch.

Basically what I am trying to say is the DD HOLDS!!



My current DD is a South Bend 3850 DD that I drive on the street everday.

It is not the clutch for the light hearted; but I will say that my next clutch if I end up needing one this year, next year or the year after will be the 4200 Iron Giant or 3850 12FB DD(lighter pedaled iron giant).



Jared,

I guess to base off of your original post:

You are wanting to pull, you are wanting to increase power.

I would error on the side of safety and get the 3850DD whether it be the 12cb or 12fb.



In my personal experience while sledpulling with the 3850 I can come out of the hole with 3600 RPM in 2nd HI range and the clutch holds like a champ.

I did that twice at the same pull about 5 minutes apart and the clutch still drives and holds like day one.



You can't go wrong with SBC's clutches.

 

[Smokin_Monster]

I just put in a 3850 12FB DD with the upgraded hydraulics today and it is awesome! The pedal is not even near as hard to push in as my old Luk Pro Gold was. Quite a bit slower to shift though. Now I really can't wait for sled pullin' season to start

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Deo, did you get my e-mail????? My cell phone will be off until I get up this afternoon around 5 or so. If you come up to the plant today there will be a gate gaurd, just tell him you are there to see me, Tim, and check for my last name in my profile.

 

[therabbittree]

got your mail. . i have court duty now so i won't be passing thru till about 9-or 10pm at night. . so not sure if that is possible . . weds seems better. i'll call you later

thanks

Deo

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Wednesday I'll be 50 miles north. I'll be there at work tonight at 9 or 10 and until 6:30 am. Just let me know!

 

[JCleary]

I have a SBC Street DD with the 3250# pressure plate.



Let me tell you, when racing you can't tell this clutch from stock besides the fact that it holds great and chirps the tires in whatever gear you're grabbing. Shifting is very fast with no grinding. The rotating mass is supposed to be on par with a single disc FE.



Being an organic clutch, it will not stand up to pulling, but 3rd gear launches are no problem. At times it can be a bit grabby, but most of the time it's smooth. Good option if you never plan to pull. It will be easier on your synchros, too.



Still as loud as any dual disc though, unless you get a Fluidampr.

 

[SRadke]

Does the street DD still give you 1500 rpm vibe in direct? I expect it would with the unsprung hubs.