South Bend OFE Stage 3

[shobote]

I just noticed this new South bend OFE Stage 3 clutch listed on their website for the SHO; must be fairly new addition to their line, as I did not see this last time I looked, and SHOsource does not list this either. They claim smooth engagement and Stage 4 holding power; Anybody out there try this one yet ? http://www.dxdracingclutches.com/home.html

 

[shopartsnw]

We will get some more information on the product line and add it to the SHOsource site. From what we have seen so far, we REALLY like the South Bend clutches

Mike

 

[LOUDSHO92]

We have them up now:SHO Source

We also have the cryo treating as an option.

 

[SinisterSHO]

Feramic?

 

[shobote]

We have them up now:SHO Source

We also have the cryo treating as an option.

Look for my order shortly, includng the cryo treatment. Any discount for finding this product for you guys ?

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Feramic?

I will try and get more detailed information on it.

Look for my order shortly, includng the cryo treatment. Any discount for finding this product for you guys ?

I will have to tlak to Mike and Kurt about it.

 

[shobote]

Feramic = a combination of Ferro (metal) + ceramic

 

[Keith M]

So is there a verdict on these yet? I am about to replace the recently deceased clutch on my 95 3.2 MTX (this will be #5 since I bought it new in 96!!), and really would like one that lasts more than about 20-25k....mind you, there is no nitrous or forced induction here, just most of the standard bolt-on mods...and I still go through clutches like you-know-what through a you-know-what...

 

[Sho Amo]

I have the stage4 OFE in my DD.

The motherfugger grips, I Love it!

 

[Keith M]

Thanks, that's pretty much what I was hoping to hear...I'm going w/the Stage 3 + cryo treatment; it's only $40 extra, so why not? From what I've read, even the friction surfaces can benefit from it, but I'm just looking to make the unit less prone to catastrophic pressure plate failure (e.g the fingers disintegrating, etc..), which is what happened to clutch #4...

 

[Sho Amo]

are you running boost or nitrous?

 

[SHOspazz92]

I have the stage4 OFE in my DD.

The motherfugger grips, I Love it!

How's the Pedal Feel? Is it real on/off or can you slip it a bunch, similar to a stock clutch?

-Sam

 

[Sho Amo]

i can slip the crap out of it. since its not a puck style, i can treat it like a regular clutch.

there is one problem i have i think because of the clutch gripping so hard. when i try to reverse uphill or downshift into second when decelerating, i get a really bad driveline shudder. almost like all my motor mounts are bad, but i have checked and rechecked them.

This really isnt a problem with the clutch tho, probably need to do my lca/tsr

 

[shobote]

Thanks, that's pretty much what I was hoping to hear...I'm going w/the Stage 3 + cryo treatment; it's only $40 extra, so why not? From what I've read, even the friction surfaces can benefit from it, but I'm just looking to make the unit less prone to catastrophic pressure plate failure (e.g the fingers disintegrating, etc..), which is what happened to clutch #4...

I could be misaken but thought the SouthBend Stage 3 + was a different clutch altogether than the OFE, which has stage 4 grip.

 

[Sho Amo]

im sorry i have the stage3 ofe not stage 4. the stage 4 is a puck style like the stage 3 clutchmasters.

 

[Keith M]

I could be misaken but thought the SouthBend Stage 3 + was a different clutch altogether than the OFE, which has stage 4 grip.

I don't know about that, they just list the OFE as a "Stage 3" on the website. I received it the other day, and there was a note in the box warning against overheating and/or slipping it for more than 3 seconds; the feramic material apparently melts at 1100 degrees, and can fuse itself to the flywheel...
also noticed the friction disk was marked Luk, and the pressure plate housing said Valeo...are they just assembling off-the-shelf parts to their specs?

 

[shobote]

IIRC Luk and Valeo are the OEM suppliers for the Ford factory for the SHO clutches and Southbend modifies them. Intersting about the 3 second rule, but that is a long period of time; thinking about it, maybe 1 second or less would be average for someone who knows how to drive a stick.

 

[shopartsnw]

South Bend modifies the Valeo PP as needed and disassembles and rebuilds the LUK disks to South Bend specs. They use the parts as a starting point, but the friction material, pressure plate straps, etc and all South Bend.

Mike

 

[Keith M]

South Bend modifies the Valeo PP as needed and disassembles and rebuilds the LUK disks to South Bend specs. They use the parts as a starting point, but the friction material, pressure plate straps, etc and all South Bend.

Mike

Sounds good to me...hey I'll be happy if the thing grips well enough to get a little scratch going into 2nd...pretty sure the motor has enough TQ, never had enough clutch to prove it tho, lol...

 

[St Louis SHO]

Welcome to the world of a good clutch then, my friend....