Southbend clutches

[HPmuirt]

Greetings folks,

For some time various members have been looking at Southbend clutches as a possible better replacement than a Sachs but we had very little info to go on.

Well I had to buy a new clutch so I recently took the plunge and bought a Southbend from Marc at EFI Express. The purpose of this thread is therefore to report both initial thoughts and track its progress as I start to abuse it - anyone who has seen me at GTi or Castle Combe will realise that I am not gentle with my poor car :mischeif:

So, here are my findings: -

1. The sales process: Marc at EFI Express is a great guy and offers exceptional service. Marc agreed to get the clutch from Yanksville to Blighty by a certain date and when his supplier let him down, he offered to pay $225 to fast ship it over - which would have put Marc into a significant loss on the deal.

By freakish coincidence, whilst my car was having the clutch changed I happened to be in the States on business and as it turns out, only 52 miles away from EFI Express so I agreed to hand carry the clutch home (this is highly recommended as it looks just like a land mine in an airport x-ray machine and is therefore very entertaining )

Marc therefore hand delivered the clutch to my hotel and even brought a selection of tools to strengthen my hand luggage to take the additional 10Kgs of clutch

2. Marc was let down not once by his supplier but a second time, as I ordered a stage 3 (max BHP capability for stock pedal pressure) but he was supplied a stage 4 . Again, Marc offered to resolve this but I was due to fly home so accepted the stage 4 instead - at least I got a free upgrade :mischeif:

3. The clutch: looked good (the airport guys thought so too) and went in well with the simply supplied alignment tool. I opted to keep the plastic sleeve on the thrush bearing as Marc had no reports of these suffering under the harder pressure plate springs.

4. On the road: The clutch bites like a vampire let loose in a convent There is NO slip what so ever! Rev to 5.5K and drop the clutch and bang - it bites and you're off like another slightly dodgy analogy.

Summary - recommended so far

Cheers n

Si

[repo]

members have been looking at Southbend clutches as a possible better replacement than a Sachs but we had very little info to go on.

Well, here's info for You, the critical parts in higher end southbend (dxd) clutches are Sasch.

[HPmuirt]

Well, here's info for You, the critical parts in higher end southbend (dxd) clutches are Sasch.

Yup, they do not try to hide that fact, the pressure plate says Sachs on it but the friction plate is not sachs and neither is the price

Cheers n

Si

[Rusty]

The stage 3 is cheaper than the Sachs but the 4 is a lot closer when the exchange rate, import tax and shipping are factored in.

Stage 3 was on my list but it was borderline for my ultimate 3071 or even 3076 setup (not really suprising) and I didn't want to under-spec and have to shell out another £500 in the future. Based on your experiences with the pedal firmness I have to say that the Sachs is looking more appealing than the stage 4.

On a stock or RS2 spec car I was told the stage 3 should live with the pace and if I was looking for an uprated stock replacement then I think I'd go that way.

[HPmuirt]

Based on your experiences with the pedal firmness I have to say that the Sachs is looking more appealing than the stage 4.

The pedal is not as bad as I initially thought as I was coming from a 1.2 Corsa. As I said, it was an issue for my wife the first time she drove it. Also remember that it is a Sachs pressure plate but with a better friction plate, so I have to assume the pedal would be about the same.

Now I have had the car for a week, I have to say that I am already used to the pedal. Southbend say it is around 25% harder and I have no way of knowing but I now think the stage 4 is the way to go. As you said, be a shame to under spec it.

If I had to chose again today, I would stick with the stage 4 as the feel is great but the launch is just incredible

Cheers n

Si

[A80Avant]

i have been getting some odd reactions from stage 4 so far.

when cold,(at least thats when its done it), put it on 1st, start to drive off the garage, and all of a sudden, without any touching of the clutch pedal or anything, the car stubles as if its getting a boost cut or fuel cut, and then the clutch smells.

I have the version of metal on flywheel side and organic on pressure plate side.

I have mentioned these findings to Marc, waiting for a responce to see where the problem could be. Otherwise the car pulls ok, does not slip and works fine once its warmed up...

any ideas?