SuperDieselPerformance.com has engaged in the development of aftermarket flywheel/clutch/pressure plate replacement kits for Duramax/ZF-6 pickups.

Super Diesel Performance has made an agreement with Peter Pyfer of South Bend Clutch to develop the best kits on the aftermarket for Duramax manual transmissions. This co-op and joint venture between SBC and Super Diesel Performance should provide great increases in the technology and future of the aftermarket performance clutch for the Duramax/ZF6. These kits will include a strong single mass flywheel and either a single or dual disc clutch with pressure plate. These kits will provide extreme holding power while eliminating squealing & inconsistent grabbing that has plagued the current aftermarket ZF6 double disk kits when shifting and launching. As development advances there will be various levels of performance kits available to suit the specific needs of the many aftermarket consumers.

Expectation is that the first kit will be completed in about 90 days for testing. Initial testing is expected to be fairly rapid and customer ordering should follow fairly soon thereafter. Exact pricing for the various kits has not yet been determined but will be extremely competitive with the current aftermarket pricing.

SBC has been in the clutch business for 50 years running. This company is the first to start diesel clutches for the diesel performance market (mid to late 1990’s). SBC developed the first Kevlar bushings for diesels in 1992 and has been releasing upgraded kits ever since. The primary goal and vision of this venture is to provide the best clutch to the consumer and have the long term customer service that has been so hard to find with the current ZF6 aftermarket. With the South Bend Clutch name you can be confident that your new aftermarket upgrade won’t just fail to exist later on down the road. Complete parts re-ordering will be available and customer service will be of the highest priority.

Design and development are just now underway. So it will likely take some time before any definitive technical decisions will have been made. However, Peter has offered to respond to questions from potential customers.


Peter Pyfer
South Bend Clutch
574-256-5064
800-988-4345
sbendclutch@aol.com (sbendclutch@aol.com)
http://www.southbendclutch.com (http://www.southbendclutch.com/)

Additionally, feel free to contact Wade Boyd of Super Diesel Performance at 303-931-0674 or email cdcwboyd@msn.com (cdcwboyd@msn.com) for further information or questions.

This is what the kit will closely resemble. This is not the actual kit yet but just to give you an idea.

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2446/ddkit6cm.gif

Nice work.Will there be someone in CO installing them?

It looks and sounds good. I hope I can afford it.):h

Nice work.Will there be someone in CO installing them?

Yes, I will be installing them personally. The price for install's will be $500 including any fluids needed aswell as the t-case gasket. Discounts will be made for the first few diesel place members to buy the kit.

Hey IBdmaxIN,where in CO are you? I'd like to be a first but will have to see how much they cost.

Sounds like you guys are working on a more "driver friendly" dual disc?I hope you guys can handle all the calls when you start selling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like you guys are working on a more "driver friendly" dual disc?I hope you guys can handle all the calls when you start selling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are working on all types of kits, everything from a daily driver to the weekend trailered sled pulling truck and everything inbetween.

Thanks for the good luck, I surely hope that my ear is sore at the end of the day!!!

Cheers, Wade

Sing me up!!!!!!!! Finally a well known and respected name to be asociated with the Duramax clutch. My biggest question and/or concern, will this new clutch address the hard pedal problem?

We need weekly updates on this project!!!!!!!!!

I believe the hard pedal is caused by the heat generated when the clutch slips. If the product that 1BDMAX'IN is working on is worth its salt, you should not be able to slip the clutch...without a Censored pile of horsepower.

MaxRock

Sing me up!!!!!!!! Finally a well known and respected name to be asociated with the Duramax clutch. My biggest question and/or concern, will this new clutch address the hard pedal problem?

We need weekly updates on this project!!!!!!!!!

MaxRock pretty much nailed it, the hard petal will be eliminated with a clutch and flywheel that can hold up to the beatings that added torque and power can produce.

Just remember that you'll have to choose the right clutch for your setup if you want the desired results. So if you are building a 700hp d-max I would probably recommend the double disk clutch setup. Also keep in mind that depending on how much clamping force you want you may have to deal with a little more petal pressure then stock but I assure you that the hard petal will be eliminated with these clutch kits!!!

If you guys want weekly updates then I'll do my best to give you weekly updates!!

Cheers, Wade

Weekly updates..as long as you don't run out of chapstick... ):h

Weekly updates..as long as you don't run out of chapstick... ):h

:funnypost :funnypost

The cost of doing good business I guess!!! I wonder if I could write the chapstick off on my taxes??? :idea:

Wade, 10-4 on the weekly updates!

You bet, I'm all ears for updates. I'd love to see what prices will range too, even if just a rough guesstimate!

well the prelim meassurements are all complete and SBC is shipping our tranny back this week. We still have a couple more weeks of testing fitment and what kind of plates and disks can be used. After all this prelim stuff we will be ready start setting everything up to make the flywheels and shortly after that we will be working on the first prototype's of the kits.

I'll keep you guys posted as much as you want, just keep posting and I'll keep replying.

As far as the prices go we won't know exactly untill we have a prototype in our hands but we are hoping for a double disk pulling clutch with flywheel will only be in the ballpark of about $1600-$1900. Keep in mind that's what we are hoping for and won't know for sure untill everything is finished.

Keep the questions comming!!!

Cheers, Wade

IBDMAX'IN,
I assume the double disk pulling clutch you mentioned would the the strongest/most expensive type, making a standard clutch/FW less expensive?? Do you think the standard model would handle total weight of 30K with some extra HP?

IBDMAX'IN,
I assume the double disk pulling clutch you mentioned would the the strongest/most expensive type, making a standard clutch/FW less expensive?? Do you think the standard model would handle total weight of 30K with some extra HP?

Yes, the double disk pulling clutch would be the most expensive kit that we will carry. The standard kits should be much more affordable and will handle some extreme abuse. We don't know exactly what they will be capable of yet and wouldn't feel comfortable stating what they will hold without testing one first. Trust me we will beat the living snot out of these clutch kits to make sure it will live up to your expectations!!!

Cheers, Wade

Yes, the double disk pulling clutch would be the most expensive kit that we will carry. The standard kits should be much more affordable and will handle some extreme abuse. We don't know exactly what they will be capable of yet and wouldn't feel comfortable stating what they will hold without testing one first. Trust me we will beat the living snot out of these clutch kits to make sure it will live up to your expectations!!!

Cheers, Wade

Thanks Wade....that is what I wanted to hear.:exactly:

How many different models will be avaliable?

How many different models will be avaliable?

Not sure exactly but there should be plently to choose from depending on your desired use of the truck. Maybe a couple of double disk clutches, and several single disk clutches.

Cheers, Wade

My ears are ringing and my wallet is getting warm. I can't wait to see what's going to happen next. I really need a new clutch as the one I've got is starting to slip quite regularly even with the juice on level 1.

Not to be a pain but how are the clutch kits coming?Went to the drags 3 weeks ago and the truck pulls last week and all I could do is watch:banghead: :help:

Not to be a pain but how are the clutch kits coming?Went to the drags 3 weeks ago and the truck pulls last week and all I could do is watch:banghead: :help:
I see in your Signature you've only went though 1 DMF? Man you much be the easy's person on your truck on this whole website.:eek: :joke:

Its the original alright,it's been growling for over a year now.Its about as bad as it could get without coming apart.The clutch will slip easily in 5th or 6th gear. As far being easy on the truck,I bought it as a work truck to be taken off road daily just about anything that could be bent has been.The truck has been pretty much just sitting since this past winter.I'll just wait for a solid flywheel and then show it no mercy hows that sound?;)

Not to be a pain but how are the clutch kits coming?Went to the drags 3 weeks ago and the truck pulls last week and all I could do is watch:banghead: :help:

LOL, Sorry Jon, I know all too well how much it sucks to have to watch the races instead of being "in" the races -:t .

Everything is comming together really well, all the prelim measurements are completed and prints of the clutch kits are completed aswell. Now it's just a matter of machining all the components and putting them together to make sure everything fits correctly. Then we'll be on our way to being able to test them.

Keep in mind that it takes quite a bit of time to set everything up correctly to machine everything, so your patience is more than appreciated!!

You guys have been great through this whole process and I really appreciate you all hanging in there while we get these kits put together.

Keep the posts comming and I'll make sure that I keep you updated the best I can.

Cheers, Wade

Any pictures? Also, you will obviously be installing and removing transmissions frequently. Any tips and pointers you can pass along would be great.

Eagerly waiting for product.

Any pictures? Also, you will obviously be installing and removing transmissions frequently. Any tips and pointers you can pass along would be great.

Eagerly waiting for product.

No pictures yet, still in the works of getting everything machined and put together.

I've done plenty of R&R on these tranny's already!!! I'll be more than happy to help anyone with any questions you may have. I'll also do a full writeup as soon as the kits are complete. I have plenty of tips that will help the install go much quicker.

If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me anytime.

Cheers, Wade

Peter of SBC just supplied me the status of SMF/Clutch kits. Development is pregressing as planned. Peter expects complete reliability of the kits and no need for extensive beta testing. The solid flywheel is going into CAD this week and the pressure plate design has been determined but is still being worked. He is ordering some special tools for production. The dual disc will be available sooner than the single disc (but he does not expect it to be too much longer).

The pressure plate will will be different than the pic posted above due to the smaller size of the bell housing. However, the PP pressure is expected to be stronger than anything currently available, with no squealing and pedal pressure close to stock.

More later . . .

Thanks for the update John!! I need all the help I can get keeping up with all the progress. Just a matter of time now!!

This sounds like great news. If the price is right.....you should sell a bunch of them.:D

This sounds like great news. If the price is right.....you should sell a bunch of them.:D

I'm hoping your right!! John (Deadeye)has invested a great deal of time and money on this project as well as myself (More time then Money). We are both hoping that this project will be a win, win situation for everyone and the project will be a great success for not only for us but for the entire d-max ZF6 world that has been plagued with failing clutches for far too long.

When these things start shipping I think there will be a whole bunch of smiles ear to ear from handshakers from coast to coast!!

:D Here is mine!

All this sounds so good, I can't hardly wait. One question though, what about those of us who live 500 miles from nowhere. I live in a small town in northern Alberta, will you ship up here or will I have to go get it from somewhere? Also, how complicated is the install? Would any automotive mechanic be able to do it or will we need your expert hand?

Yeah I would say that anyone could do it as long as the have had some experence(sp) in clutch installments. If you've done one the rest are about the same. A car lift and trans jack would make all the difference too. I worried about mine forever and after I did it I felt like an a** cause I worried about something that was so easy. The first time doing something alittle different always worries me. Kinda of dumb for someone that has a College Ass. Degree in Diesel Truck Tech and ASE Certified in PMI, Bakes, and Drive Train to worry about something like that. The thought of it being my own doesn't help either. Its really not bad at all. Took 8 hours the first time going slow and drinking beer and visiting. Only took 2 hours to take it all apart the second time. Still waiting for parts to put it back together.

All this sounds so good, I can't hardly wait. One question though, what about those of us who live 500 miles from nowhere. I live in a small town in northern Alberta, will you ship up here or will I have to go get it from somewhere? Also, how complicated is the install? Would any automotive mechanic be able to do it or will we need your expert hand?

I would have to total up the cost of what it would be to ship up there but I don't think it would be a problem.

I totally agree with duramax farmer, it's really simple to do it's just time consuming. I could help walk you through it if you needed help. But if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself then any tranny shop should be able to do it as long as they have some competence with clutch installs.

Hope this helps!!!

I've been keeping up with the posts, but I'm running out of time. My truck is a work truck, it halls a 16 ft trailer filled with tools every day. I'm slipping without the superchips tuner now, and I cant wait much longer. Napa has a 380 dollar clutch kit with flywheel (thats what it says!), will it get me by? I have a hoist and jack, the install will be no biggie, is the Napa clutch worth a darn? Who makes it? Thanks for any input!

I've been keeping up with the posts, but I'm running out of time. My truck is a work truck, it halls a 16 ft trailer filled with tools every day. I'm slipping without the superchips tuner now, and I cant wait much longer. Napa has a 380 dollar clutch kit with flywheel (thats what it says!), will it get me by? I have a hoist and jack, the install will be no biggie, is the Napa clutch worth a darn? Who makes it? Thanks for any input!

I am not sure who makes it for NAPA. However, if they really have a flywheel for sale then it is the same as stock, made by Luk. I doubt CPMac sells flywheels to NAPA and SBC is still doing design. I did hear a rumor that someone else was working a flywheel design but that was months ago . . . SBC should have a complete kit available less than three months.

I've been keeping up with the posts, but I'm running out of time. My truck is a work truck, it halls a 16 ft trailer filled with tools every day. I'm slipping without the superchips tuner now, and I cant wait much longer. Napa has a 380 dollar clutch kit with flywheel (thats what it says!), will it get me by? I have a hoist and jack, the install will be no biggie, is the Napa clutch worth a darn? Who makes it? Thanks for any input!

The 380 dollar kit is just the clutch (part number MU721011) If you want the kit with a new flywheel, that would be part # MU721011DK which runs just a bit under $1000) Having said that, you would be getting a new dual-mass flywheel with that kit....If you can wait, I would hold out for a single-mass flywheel..

I've been keeping up with the posts, but I'm running out of time. My truck is a work truck, it halls a 16 ft trailer filled with tools every day. I'm slipping without the superchips tuner now, and I cant wait much longer. Napa has a 380 dollar clutch kit with flywheel (thats what it says!), will it get me by? I have a hoist and jack, the install will be no biggie, is the Napa clutch worth a darn? Who makes it? Thanks for any input!

I would hope that the clutch kit alone would be enough to hold it untill the clutch kits are released, but unfortunately most of the time the DMF's are trashed and will just continue your problems even with a new clutch, but a new clutch would definently help for at least a little while.

Hope this helps!!

Cheers, Wade

Hey Wade,When do you expect these to be avaliable? Mine will hold up for a while yet,but some others aren't so fortunate it appears.It may help them hold off on a lesser setup as well as saving themselves some $$$$. Just a thought.

From what peter told me he was expecting in 30 to 45 days having the set up up and going. Told me last friday (AUG 12th) so if you want you can mark it on your calender and start a count down!:D Just what I heard and hope he's right in case this new DMF gos again -:t and for the rest who really need one, not that I think there is a Duramax/ZF (oops and 8.1L) owner who doesn't need one.:(

I got the same information as duramax farmer, I don't know about counting down the days because things could and can happen between now and then but mid september is what he is shooting for.

Cheers, Wade

I ment counting the days more as a joke than fact just wanted to play around I would hope that no one would think that there is no posiblity of a delay. Just trying to inspire hope.:thumb:

are the pulling clutches going to be SFI approved?

are the pulling clutches going to be SFI approved?

Yes, the pulling clutches should be SFI approved.

You thinking about making a ZF6 pulling truck Mike???!!!

Yes, the pulling clutches should be SFI approved.

You thinking about making a ZF6 pulling truck Mike???!!!

You'll have to get the flywheel approved too, I do believe....

You'll have to get the flywheel approved too, I do believe....

I'm pretty sure that Peter was planning on having everything SFI approved including the flywheel, I will get in touch with him and make sure that I'm providing you guys with the correct information.

Cheers, Wade

no, just thought I'd mention it since it's required by some pulling sactioning bodies

Just talked with Peter and yes, everything will be sent in for SFI approval.

:driver: Hopefully, I will be able to post, tomarrow, the current status of Peter's (South Bend Clutch) flywheel/clutch/pressureplate development for our :Handshaker duramaxes. Cross your fingers and hope for some successful :driver:

What kind of power are we talking about.

What kind of power are we talking about.

I doubt that SBC will provide a max power limit but there may be some warranty. I will ask about it.

power will depend on which kit. the dual disc kit is intended for sled pullin. SBC has been making dual disc kits with SMF and floater for a number of years for sled pullin for dodges and they have held up extremely well. I expect that the new one for the duramax will be just as good. as for hp, I intend to test it once I receive one. I am guessing mine will get close to 800 based on a number of SD mods (btw, that was SD's guess).

800HP that's it, well then i guess I can't get one...HA HA...just won't hold enough for my truck. Scheduled the truck in for DMF surgery this Sat at WCG, hopefully I won't have to fight them on DMF #4!!!! Can't wait for the new kits to get in.

800HP that's it, well then i guess I can't get one...HA HA...just won't hold enough for my truck. Scheduled the truck in for DMF surgery this Sat at WCG, hopefully I won't have to fight them on DMF #4!!!! Can't wait for the new kits to get in.

Awwwwwwe, John's being modest!!! I'm sure with SD cranking out the go fast parts John will be breaking dyno's!!!! I think that John will be the dyno champ for quite some time, but he'll need more than 800 pony's to beat me down the 1/4 mile!!! :muahaha:

That may be true...but let's put a manny in your truck and then compare apples! You can borrow mine...ha ha ha!

That may be true...but let's put a manny in your truck and then compare apples! You can borrow mine...ha ha ha!

Awe common, I've got a crewcab and a baby seat in my truck, surely a 800hp manny could beat an alli down the 1320!!! anytime you think your ready cupcake, bring it on!!! :ninja: ):h ):h

:joke: ...............I think it would be a good race to see you and John race when the clutch kits come in, I think with how fast you can shift and you having a lighter truck and smaller tires you wouldn't need nearly as much HP as John, but then again he's got quite a few pony's on you right now. Might be a good thing to start saving your allowance now, cause once we put a clutch in that thing you'll never be able to look back.

Cheers, Wade

Awe common, I've got a crewcab and a baby seat in my truck, surely a 800hp manny could beat an alli down the 1320!!! anytime you think your ready cupcake, bring it on!!! :ninja: ):h ):h

Cheers, Wade

The day will come for sure when a ZF beats an alli down the track...GARUUNNTEEEDD! Unfortunately my allowance is in penny's....on a good day! HA HA
We do need to hit Bandemere sometime soon! Just lemme know when!

The day will come for sure when a ZF beats an alli down the track...GARUUNNTEEEDD! Unfortunately my allowance is in penny's....on a good day! HA HA
We do need to hit Bandemere sometime soon! Just lemme know when!

Although I have the ZF6...I doubt any beating the Ali. Those things shift out....'slicker than snot' ):h

Well my mid pedal rattle upgraded yesterday to a two second "rattling spin out" when I press the clutch in. I think that death is approaching quickly now.........