clutch options..what to get/not to get

[RAVI]

so my clutch started to slip more and more over the past few days.. im sure its on its way out.. so im posting this to see what my options are since i've heard good and bad things about south bend clutches and im unfamiliar with what other companies offer..i need to place my order asap! btw, original clutch lasted 85k miles!

my needs:
-street use
-hold up BT power (for the future)
-not to high engagement point like stock
-lasts a good about of time

[absolutegtr]

Southbend OFE SS
or
South bend FE SS

[RAVI]

reason? price? is that what you have?

[LampyB]

you can get an OFE HD+ as well. it's a Southbend HD clutch with an SS pressure plate, etc. supports up to 400 ft/lbs of torque i believe. it isn't as stiff as the OFE SS, has more of an OEM feel. talk to Jeff Lee and he'll hook you up! i'm definitely satisfied with the HD+, it wasn't as expensive, feels great and grips like a champ.

also, for reference when deciding which one to go with Jeff stated that the OFE SS was a bit stiffer, but actually the same as found in a stock manual BMW 330i clutch.


ps. if money wasn't a big issue at the time, i would have gone with the OFE SS. fo sho!

[brewmastr]

here is something i have been wondering myself, how has the engagement point of aftermarket clutches changed to those who have installed them? the stock point is so ridicously high you dont get that firm engagement spot on the pedal, it would be nice to have it engage closer to the floor.

[TonyD]

I'd just go straight to the FE SS. I've heard about people still blowing their OFE but the FE seems to be invincible thus far. Shoot me a PM if you have any questions about it.

[El_Chapusca]

I'd just go straight to the FE SS. I've heard about people still blowing their OFE but the FE seems to be invincible thus far. Shoot me a PM if you have any questions about it.

^^So wheres a good place to purchase the FE SS online? because i know awe tunning sells the OFE series ones..

[audikid66]

i have spec stage 2... good sturdy clutch i like it

[brewmastr]

does the FE SS still engage way high?

[RAVI]

what was the reason why the select few who had the south bend clutches failed?

[dougyfresh]

here is something i have been wondering myself, how has the engagement point of aftermarket clutches changed to those who have installed them? the stock point is so ridicously high you dont get that firm engagement spot on the pedal, it would be nice to have it engage closer to the floor.

The SouthBend clutches engage very low. It was a dramatic difference for me going from a stock clutch to a Southbend OFE SS. I think the engagement point is about an inch off the bottom. After two weeks of driving I got used to it and actually prefer it.

AZ user 'old guy' couldn't take it so he made a slightly longer slave cylinder rod to change the engagement point. His son is driving his car now and I think still has the longer slave cylinder rod so we'll see how durability is in the long term....

[mike-2ptzero]

what was the reason why the select few who had the south bend clutches failed?

Bad batch with the organic material failing and coming off the disk.

does the FE SS still engage way high?

No, it engages low like most aftermarket clutch kits since they are designed that way and since they use a presure plate that has a higher psi rating they take a little more pedal to get it to release.

[brewmastr]

bam gonna buy a new clutch then, i want that engagement low, now just gotta decide whether to get rid of the dual mass or not

[B6Lovin]

i'd skip the OFE HD or OFE SS and go with a FE SS

got my FE SS from DTH -- good guys, greg and mike will take care of you

and FWIW, i had the OFE HD (AWE Stg. 3 kit) with their 13lb flywheel... and it was good for the power i was making from a roll.. but not from a dig. i spun the HELL out of that clutch even after normal driving for 2k miles. (launched on an upswing to 4500)

i'd go with the LWFW over the dual mass.. Our cars have a painfully slow rev up/down time hahaha. my clutch chatters, but nothing that I can't deal with. i only ever heard it in drive thrus where there's an echo. If my windows were up or i had any music on at all I never noticed it

[Papachristou]

i have the FE SS and am very happy with it, it grips like a bear trap, i can rev to 6k and launch it without worrying about it.. FE clutch disc is feramic on both sides so it dissipates heat very well... it uses the SS pressure plate which needed 50lbs of pedal effort vs the stock 30lbs but i got used to it in less than a day.. also the engagement point is near the floor and very instant.. the clutch either grabs or it doesnt... i likes it

[Tgr_Clw]

Get SB FE SS and call it a day.

[Papachristou]

Get SB FE SS and call it a day.

enough said!

[1/4 scale]

so my clutch started to slip more and more over the past few days..

You'll need to resurface the flywheel:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=221706