SVT clutch choice..again..

[FocusSportVP]

^^^ Did you buy it?

[Reza]

yeah

Comments:
The new pressure plate design allows for a 30% increase in clamp load over the previous high clamp SVT pressure plate, but with only a 9% increase in pedal requirement. A super clamp pressure plate upgrade is also available that adds 50 ft lbs to the above capacities. The super clamp option will add an additional 11% pedal requirement. All kits must utilize a SPEC flywheel.

This is regarding their new pressure plate.

I hope this last longer more than 15000 miles that I had on my CM stage 3 .

[FocusSportVP]

Ahhh, I was just going to call you to see if you wanted to test one of our new kits. Oh well.

[99dot]

Originally Posted by FocusSportVP

Ahhh, I was just going to call you to see if you wanted to test one of our new kits. Oh well.

I'll let you know later

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by FocusSportVP

Ahhh, I was just going to call you to see if you wanted to test one of our new kits. Oh well.

What have you got? I am considering changing out the clutch in my new SVT while the motor is out to be built.

[FocusSportVP]

We're going to be testing a few different/new kits that we've put together. Right now we're just using local testers, though.

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by FocusSportVP

We're going to be testing a few different/new kits that we've put together. Right now we're just using local testers, though.

Understood. If you need any other help, I would be glad to do it. I am not too well known in the Focus world, but I am well known in the rest of the Ford world. I'm not just a guy with a Focus looking for a deal on a clutch

www.powersurgeperformance.net

[DonatasSVT]

Yeah, Spec looks solid.
Update on mine Southbend:
I've done 100miles. It still slips a lot. Maybe just a little better than in the begining. It's starting to worry me. Sent an email to Sbend, will see what they say.

[DonatasSVT]

So, as it turned out I and a few other forum members got wrong throwout bearing, that's why it was slipping. Andy from Southbend was helpful and after they found out where the problem was, they sent me a new clutch disc and pressure plate to fit the different throwout bearing. At no cost to me, nice! Of course I paid for the labour but I just wanted to get my car as soon as possible!
And this new kit feels great. It didn't slip from the begining, worked just how it should Now, when they have solved all slipping problems I would recommend Southbend to anyone.

The lightweight flywheel is one of the best mods for me. The car feels quicker, more nimble and has much more response in low end. Oh, and the new pressure plate that they sent me look even more solid than the previous one I have received from them. Overall, this is a great setup and I'm happy with it so far

[99dot]

I told you Andy was pretty cool, all he wants is to have the best clutch opption possible. Now, if my car would have had the feel of this clutch stock I mite have never moded it. Its hard to tell people exzactly how different the car is now.

From having as many different clutch as I have had its going to be hard to beat the performance of Southbend.

It holds forever and its not a hard pedal. Its easy diving in traffic and engages so smooth.

Its like getting a new car.

[DonatasSVT]

Yeah, it really does feel great. Pedal is not very easy (maybe it just looks like that for me because my last clutch pedal was much lighter than stock), but I don't see a problem here. And the engagement is smooth but firm, love it.
Let's hope they are long lasting too

[Power Surge]

Got an update on the South Bend clutch for us? I am about ready to buy one and wanted to see a long term review.

[99dot]

Working Great!

Its holding the torque that he said it would. Just look at the numbers in my signature. I'm tuned to 24psi and at that level of boost I'm at the rated torque of the clutch of 350ftlbs.

Its still feels great and engages very smooth, and has just enough pressure in the clutch pedal to give the needed feed back.

If I wasn't boosted I would still reccomend using them as it just feels great and will be there if you ever decide to add more power to the car.

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by 99dot

Working Great!

Its holding the torque that he said it would. Just look at the numbers in my signature. I'm tuned to 24psi and at that level of boost I'm at the rated torque of the clutch of 350ftlbs.

Its still feels great and engages very smooth, and has just enough pressure in the clutch pedal to give the needed feed back.

If I wasn't boosted I would still reccomend using them as it just feels great and will be there if you ever decide to add more power to the car.

That's good to hear. My car will be boosted as well. I was holding out for the Exedy SVT clutch but who knows when that will happen. Sounds like the South Bend does the job I want anyway, so I'll order it up.

There's just no other option for a clutch as far as I am concerned.

[FocusSportVP]

Yea, don't wait for whatever I was trying to get going. Got bigger fish to fry right now.

[DonatasSVT]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

Got an update on the South Bend clutch for us? I am about ready to buy one and wanted to see a long term review.

My stage 1 Southbend is also working great. I've done ~700miles right now. I'm going to my first track day with Southebend this weekend, so will have some more feedback after it. Will post how it performs.

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by DonatasSVT

My stage 1 Southbend is also working great. I've done ~700miles right now. I'm going to my first track day with Southebend this weekend, so will have some more feedback after it. Will post how it performs.

Great thanks. I ordered mine and it was shipped the next day. I also got a replacement insert for the Fidanza flywheel and a new TO bearing.

[DonatasSVT]

The clutch was great! Precise and strong
Power Surge, which stage have you bought? Have installed it? Like it? Any pics?

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by DonatasSVT

The clutch was great! Precise and strong
Power Surge, which stage have you bought? Have installed it? Like it? Any pics?

Don't know what I got, I just told them I needed a clutch for an 02 SVTF with Fidanza flywheel that would handle a mild supercharged car. They told me it's a modded audi part that works better than any other SVTF specific clutch and would handle 300 ftlbs.

Haven't got it yet.

[kennan J]

what did you put down for that $$?

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by kennan J

what did you put down for that $$?

Was 4 and change.

[Power Surge]

Got my SB clutch setup, and noticed a few things..

First off, I told them I just needed the disc and pressure plate, but they sent me a T/O bearing anyway. And it's not even the right one. Figured I'd just sell it, but it's not for the SVT. Hopefully they will give me a credit on it.

Second, placing the new SB pressure plate next to the supremely piece of scum like trash Spec clutch that was in the car (can you tell I just love Spec??), I noticed the fingers on the SB plate stick up about 3/4" of an inch taller than the Spec fingers do. That's a big difference. I am not sure if that's a problem, or if it's on purpose. It could also just be that the fingers on my junkbox gutter plate from Spec are just bent down from where they are supposed to be. Makes me a bit nervous though. Thoughts?

[Power Surge]

Okay spoke to SB. They are giving me a refund for the slave. They told me that when the plate is bolted to the flywheel, the finger height will be proper, so that makes me feel better. Just seeing the finger height difference, I know there's much more clamping force over my POS spec unit.

[Reza]

The old Spec used the old SVT pressure plate. but I can tell you that the new spec is a great kit I have it and the pressure plate looks just great.

This is just a regular pressure plate. They even have option to increase the clamping force.