ACT and South Bend Clutches at Ninja Performance

[Ninja Performance]

We now carry ACT and South Bend clutches!

Ninja Performance - Your Affordable Performance Parts Store - ACT Clutches (http://www.ninjaperformance.com/index.php?cPath=205_425)

Ninja Performance - Your Affordable Performance Parts Store - South Bend Clutches (http://www.ninjaperformance.com/index.php?cPath=205_49400010)

-Chris

[11secondFWD]

My stage 4 fe south bend clutch was my favorite clutch I ever had in my FWD TT. It held the power and it was easy on my leg, which was especially important because I did not have any clutch assist.

[beepbeep]

+1 :Clap:

[GTOJOE]

what are ppl talking about when the say sprung vs unsprung clutches??? What parts break?

[Ninja Performance]

what are ppl talking about when the say sprung vs unsprung clutches??? What parts break?

The two sections of a sprung hub clutch are connected and dampened with springs. Makes engagement smoother.

A solid or unsprung clutch does not have "sections", it is 1 solid piece with no springs. Little rougher on engagement but more reliable.

The springs on a performance clutch, especially some brands more than others, break. Destroying the clutch and often times the flywheel. Other than breaking they also wear the plates that hold them in and they break loose and fly around again, destroying the clutch.

Sprung:
http://www.ninjaperformance.com/images/southbendclutchdxd.jpg

unsprung:
http://www.ninjaperformance.com/images/MB1-XXR6.jpg

-Chris

[GTOJOE]

OK that's what I thought. So in your experience is the Southbend [heard many good things about them] stage 4 full face [which is sprung] reliable up to 600HP? [there is no stage 5 kit with full face is there?] I really don't like the idea of a 6 puck clutch as this is my only car and sometimes has to be a DD. I currently have an Exedy HD Full Face organic [MBK-6633HD] and it's great but the car is basically stock.

Cheers,

Joe

[GTOJOE]

Also I have read talk of replacing the rivets with stronger bolts to reduce the chance of sheering. Is this doable?

[CoopKill]

My stage 4 fe south bend clutch was my favorite clutch I ever had in my FWD TT. It held the power and it was easy on my leg, which was especially important because I did not have any clutch assist.

What power/torque range are we talking?

I need something with praises like this that will withstand dr750's on pump mixed with race fuel to around the 600 awhp mark.

Edit: I will be only doing limited launch, and occasional twisty driving. Mostly street fun and twisties...

[Ninja Performance]

OK that's what I thought. So in your experience is the Southbend [heard many good things about them] stage 4 full face [which is sprung] reliable up to 600HP? [there is no stage 5 kit with full face is there?] I really don't like the idea of a 6 puck clutch as this is my only car and sometimes has to be a DD. I currently have an Exedy HD Full Face organic [MBK-6633HD] and it's great but the car is basically stock.

Cheers,

Joe

With the South Bend clutches there is the option to Cryo treat for only $40.

-Chris

[CoopKill]

what are the gains of Cryo treating?

[Ninja Performance]

what are the gains of Cryo treating?

Longer parts life.

Cryogenic Processing is a one time, permanent and irreversible treatment that affects the entire object, not just the surface.

Cryogenics is a form of heat treat. The material being treated is exposed to extremely cold temperatures in a controlled atmosphere. As the material drops in temperature the molecular movement starts to slow down and the individual molecules move closer together. When the temperature is maintained at below -300º F the molecules virtually stop moving and become very compact. Upon thawing at a controlled rate they begin to spread out evenly, creating a consistent molecular pattern. When the material becomes room temperature again all the molecules are now distributed equally and aligned in an extremely consistent grain pattern. The new consistent grain structure distributes the flow of energy evenly throughout the entire object, eliminating stress points. This elimination of stress points creates a consistent and evenly distributed microstructure. The treated material has a new grain pattern with no weak points and is stronger and more durable than ever before.

In scientific terms the process is a transformation of the retained austenite structure into a martensite atom structure. The soft retained austenite atom structure is changed by using the correct cycle of temperature changes into its harder form, which is a martensite atom structure. This is the actual strengthening agent.

-Chris

[CoopKill]

Do you think the stage 4 fe south bend will fit what I am looking for Chris?

[Ninja Performance]

Do you think the stage 4 fe south bend will fit what I am looking for Chris?

I have always heard good things about it. Here is a review, that went on for years at the other forum on that clutch
Review: Southbend Stage 4 FE Clutch - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center (http://www.3si.org/forum/f56/review-southbend-stage-4-fe-clutch-469079/)

It should be no problem for it to hold the power you are looking at making.

-Chris

[GTOJOE]

Hmmm sounds like a great clutch but I would be worried about fusing to the flywheel now... but then I prob won't be taking it to the track and launching that hard. What typically causes the spring failure etc? is it just time or too many heavy launches?

[mb3000]

Chris, is there any way you could get a clutch similar to the Spec stage 4 + (unsprung & full face, 670ft/lb) available at 3sx? It says it is custom for 3sx but you know I'm partial to NP ;) This clutch would be exactly what I would want when mine goes out. Maybe a little easier engagement & longer life span over the 6 puck ACT?

[Ninja Performance]

I would recommend the SB OFE stage 3 - A Feramic full face lining on the flywheel side and a "Medium Metal" content Organic lining on the pressure plate side. This combination runs cooler and significantly extends clutch life. The OFE series clutch not only engages very smooth, it has the torque capacity of other Stage 4 clutch kits.
Ninja Performance - Your Affordable Performance Parts Store - SB OFE 3 (http://www.ninjaperformance.com/product_info.php?cPath=205_49400010_49400015&products_id=2026)

or the more aggressive

South Bend Clutch FE Series Stage 4
The FE SS series is the ultimate when it comes to delivering maximum torque to the street and strip driven car. With Feramic on both sides of the disc, the clutch delivers a more positive engagement. Because Feramic clutch material displaces heat extremely fast it will give you maximum clutch life and a consistent feel each time you shift.
Ninja Performance - Your Affordable Performance Parts Store - SB FE 4 (http://www.ninjaperformance.com/product_info.php?cPath=205_49400010_49400015&products_id=2027)

With either I would highly recommend the $40 Cryo treatment option to increase clutch life. I haven't heard of more than 1 or 2 people with spring issues with SB, as apposed to the dozens and dozens of SPEC spring failures I personally witnessed.

-Chris

[TurboSinceBirth]

I have a Southbend Stage 4 FE clutch still new with cryo treatment. I had it installed but my engine is taken apart right now to fix a local machine shop's screw up. I'll have a review on the clutch soon. I've heard very few bad reviews on Southbend clutches compared to similar clutches like the Spec. The Southbend replaced my Spec 3+ with a double pressure plate. Much much easier pedal pressure! :)