Hey folks...just wanted to update you on South Bends new Single Disk clutch. I just had the organic single disk clutch, pressure plate and single flywheel installed in my 2003 Duramax 3500 6 speed today. I had previously been through 4 DMF's, and have suffered with slipping clutches, weird noises, clutch pedals that stick to the floor, and the famous stiff pedal. NO MORE!

The new flywheel and clutch completely eliminates all of the problems. I run a Edge Juice box, and with the clutch just barely installed, and not even broken in, I put it to the test with the juice box. It held up 100%. It is great. I have 6 power settings (0-Stock, 1-Mileage, 2-Towing, 3-Driving, 4-Race, 5-Extreme) I put it through the test of all the power settings, and it was great. I got "VERY VERY MINOR" slippage on 5, but understand that I was pushing 25-26 on boost, and was being very hard on the gas...literally beating the hell out of the truck...I believe the minor slippage was simply because of the clutch not being broken in because it did not consistently slip, and it only had the minor slippage like twice in my test. Every other setting below 5 was flawless. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the "CURE" for all of the DMF issues with the Duramax.

Other notes....

There is literally "NO" let me repeat, "NO" clutch noise with this new set up. In neutral, the only thing you can hear is the motor running...you can put your hand on the shifter, and you feel the motor, nothing else. This is a major achievement by South Bend. They deserve a major round of applause.

Also, as far as shifting goes....I feel that it shifts better than the stock setup. I used to have to tug the shifter to get into first gear with the stock setup, and with the new setup, I do not have that problem. All of the gears go in and out fine. Upshifting and downshifting is very smooth. The only thing that I need to point out is that the clutch has a lot more spring than with the stock setup. This is not a problem by any means. It actually gives me confidence in the product because with the stock DMF, the clutch pedal was all over the place....even stuck to the floor...as most of us have experience with the DMF.

So, please feel free to ask questions, and I will do my best to answer them, or to try different scenarios for you. (Within reason!!)

Thanks again to Peter and the crew at SBC for being great to work with and for truly engineering a quality product. GM should contact them to have them provide their clutches and flywheels for them!

Whenever my original goes out, I fully intend to get one.

when it did slip, did you have the "hard pedal" again? could you smell it slipping? thanks for the update!

this kit included flywheel, throwout bearing , clutch disc , clutch cover and pilot bearing? around how much for parts? please keep us informed i will go to this set up the next time this thing pukes.

this kit included flywheel, throwout bearing , clutch disc , clutch cover and pilot bearing? around how much for parts? please keep us informed i will go to this set up the next time this thing pukes.


Ditto. On that.


Tennesee,
When/are they available for purchasing yet? Where do I sign?

There was no hard petal, and there was no smell....I just noticed the RPM's raise a little bit without gaining the speed...not a big deal at all....and like I said, it was very slight and I was absolutely pounding the truck when it happened.

It is RV season and my 5er is in the driveway!!! That is a very depressing site!!! I can't wait to get the new SMF/SD clutch. When is this setup available for sale and what does the kit contain and how much!!! WOOO HOOOO!!!! I haven't been able to run my VA box since my clutch started slipping back in November. The VA is sitting on a shelf in my garage...another depressing site!!!

MaxRock

Finally the right product is almost ready!!!!!!!!! What other parts will be needed for installation, and does anybody have part numbers?

I'm thinking,

Slave Cylinder
Throwout Bearing
Flywheel Bolts
Transfer Case Gasket

Anything I'm missing?

I believe they will be available soon. The best thing to do is to contact Peter at SBC. He is the guy that I worked with, and you couldn't find a better person to deal with, and he has a wealth of knowledge.

His number is 800-988-4345. I have enjoyed this process of working with him. He will be able to get you pricing.

Finally the right product is almost ready!!!!!!!!! What other parts will be needed for installation, and does anybody have part numbers?

I'm thinking,

Slave Cylinder
Throwout Bearing
Flywheel Bolts
Transfer Case Gasket

Anything I'm missing?

Slave Cylinder is the Throwout Bearing in our set up.

I can Get then for You as well... Sounds good boys..

The flywheels for the SDC kit are currently in production. They should be available pretty soon. Once Peter receives them he will be able to provide pricing.

I acn provide any SBC kit you want. Installation instructions will be provided or I can do the install for you if you come to Denver.

Sounds like a good unit. Does it chatter at all when you take-off?

I have Craig's single disc. It does great and never slips. But it does have just a little bit of chatter when backing up a heavy trailer.

My guess is that an organic disc might be more gentle for us running stock power.

Will the flywheels be able to accept the oem pp and disk if some one wanted to do so? And will the flwwheel be for sale by its self?

Thanx
Caleb

on 05lly's note will the flywheels be abnle to accept the dual disk clutch later on if my need for power grows in the future????

(my need for power grows with my income and well i don't have that much power just on my third flywheel and this one is weird and no more wareenttee to replace and i miss my little ol' predator running on the higher settings)

I'm interested to see the life of the organic drive plate behind a chipped truck. When I tried the 8.1 gas disc a couple years back I found with a box of any kind on it only lasted about as long as a DMF then fell apart. Maybe SBC modified the drive plates they use though.

on 05lly's note will the flywheels be abnle to accept the dual disk clutch later on if my need for power grows in the future????

(my need for power grows with my income and well i don't have that much power just on my third flywheel and this one is weird and no more wareenttee to replace and i miss my little ol' predator running on the higher settings)

No The SBC single disk kit will not... you will need to buy a new flywheel as well as the rest of the kit...

The Mac's SD kit uses the same flywheel as a Mac's DD.

Just a note to let everyone know that I have 62,000 miles on my '03 with Mac's single disc. Most of these miles have been towing 10,000-15,000 lbs. I'm running stock power and the clutch has never slipped and doesn't have the hard pedal. I guess the clutch has around 35,000 miles or so on it. At this point, it doesn't make any rollover noise in neutral once warmed up.

My only complaint is I do have to use 4-Lo to back up with trailers due to a little chatter. But at least it doesn't slip...

Any word on the sbc single disk kits yet?

I guess not!!!

I need a clutch soon guys...any new word????

Just got some more info. Cost will be $1100 for SD. Fywheels will arrive on 17th and shipping should be able to begin towards the end of that week. PM me (or call) and I can start placing orders.

Good Luck !!!

Hope the SBC kit works for who ever buys one, but my .02, I had Evan (Crank It Up Diesel) install a MACS 2 disc puller for me in Nov. and I must say WOW! I can run my Edge box on 5 and my HOT+2 on 4 and it turns into a 7000 pound Land Missle!! And it SMOKES like a old Locomotive!
Anyone know of a CC Dually 6 speed for sale? I need another truck so I can take this one to Kyle, Matt, and Evan so They can work their magic.The POWER BUG has bitten me hard since i got a good clutch, now I always need more power!!!:ro)

Will this $1100 kit include everything you need to get going or are there other items that have to be purchased? What all do you get for the $1100?


Thanks,
GTMAN

If peter over at SB puts the product out, it will work and last. I have used his stuff in the past and they are #1, heck he even helped me out big time even when the failure was caused by the pilot bearing failing and tearing up the sb clutch.

Wooo Hooo!!!! Time is getting close! I can't wait to get the new clutch installed and I can put my Van Aaken back in. I sure do miss messing with the little imports on the road!!!

MaxRock

Will this $1100 kit include everything you need to get going or are there other items that have to be purchased? What all do you get for the $1100?


Thanks,
GTMAN

flywheel, clutch plate, pressure plate, alignment tool, SBC clutch instructions, full tranny/clutch instructions from me, and finally, a clutch that will be reliable !!!

I dont want to be noisey, but I was just wondering how much a set up like this will run?

Deadeye,

Do we need to source the pilot bearing seperately? I think SBC offers a kevlar unit for Ford and Dodge. Is there an upgraded version for the Chev?

I dont want to be noisey, but I was just wondering how much a set up like this will run?

I think they are about $1100 for the single disk kits right now and these for sure are $1800 for a creramic double disk and $2100 for a feramic double disk!!!

Deadeye,

Do we need to source the pilot bearing seperately? I think SBC offers a kevlar unit for Ford and Dodge. Is there an upgraded version for the Chev?

No, It comes with a pilot bearing. If you wish to replace the slave cylinder you will have to get it from a dealer. Most don't bother to replace the SC and I agree that it is not necessary.

I am pretty sure that there well be various choices in clutch plates for the SMF/SDC from SBC. Speaking with Peter I recall that organic, Kevlar, and ceramic would be available. I expect the price will be the same for each.

More later.