Just for interest, while I can say the GMPP clutch for Ecotec F35 cars has proven to be the best of the best for performance/price results, I recently had occasion to send a customer to talk to South Bend and they proved to be knowledgeable , helpful and well priced. ZZP sell these, it would be interested to hear of folks experience with the South Bend clutches...

 

I have one, and I couldn't be happier. It manages to keep a very close to stock pedal feel and it really grabs on take-off. I have the Stage 3 which holds up to 350 ft pounds of torque. I have done only two launches with the clutch but every time it worked flawlessly. I don't feel like they are sold as much as some of the other products for the Cobalt but they definitely should. For their customer service they are very nice people, and if you have a question they answer it with honesty.

 

I fell in love with the reviews since I started reading about them 2 yrs ago

 

I can't say enough good thing about south bend, they are very sought after in the diesel world as I had one on my 2005 dodge cummins turbo diesel 6speed. The truck made 497/927 and the clutch held up with zero issue, and zero signs of slippage. Highly recommend them!

 

I've been DDing the ZZP Stage 4 with a Fidanza flywheel through stop-and-go in the city for over a year now. Once I relearned how to drive with a grabbier clutch and lightweight flywheel, it's been great to me. The pedal pressure itself isn't much more than stock, and I haven't had any WOT slippage issues. Now that it's broken in and I'm used to the clutch, I can comfortably slip it to accelerate around town, and yet once your foot is off the clutch pedal, it's like Chuck Norris' hands gripped together.

 

im not a fan of their stuff for other applications. ive driven a few cobalts though with their stage 4. doesnt seem to be a bad deal. the engagment was good but all the cars had the adjustable clutch rod. they seem to hold the power so thats good in my books.

 

Oh... for the record, mine doesn't have the rod. I bought it, but never found I needed it.

 

Don't have one... But I live in southbend and have been to the shop so... HA!

 

HA! This guy... ^

 

ive put a few of them into diesel pickups, couple dodges and a ford. they all worked quite well.

 

I didn't know you were so close. I'm right over the border in Illinois!


Mr. Powell I have been on one for 3+ years now and I do very much enjoy it. They have held and not once slipped on me at my various power levels. I've been on the stage 4+ with adjustable clutch rod for a while.

 

Didn't you have to switch up your setup when you converted to the F40 though?

 

Yep different spline and Flywheel

 

here is my update on South Bend, quoting my forum buddy:"I talked to South Bend on Tuesday and they were great. He explained that automakers typically make the pressure plate and flywheel some what concave to make for soft engagement, but if carried to extreme, the contact area is concentrated only in the outside edge. A flat surface creates a more abrubt engagement but also more holding power. He offered to inspect my flywheel and remachine if necessary to make it flat. I sent the new, OEM flywheel to him today and he is going to match a Cobalt pressure plate and make up the correct clutch disk. He asked for engine torque out put and I sent him a file from the Vtuner website of the torque curve. Everything he said makes sense. "

this is for a saab which uses either f35 trans, which is called F55 or 57 depending on 4.05 or 3.8 ratio, and in this case, the F40 iirc.
. The last I heard yesterday, Southbend were going to upgrade a Sachs Pressure plate for him, with modifications, and prepare a suitable organic lining disc, for about $300.00 to satisfy his torque requirements.

I am looking forward to the results, SouthBend deserve a close look for the high torque monsters out there, looks like.

 

I just wish their prices were more in line with the KY clutches.

From what I can say about the stage 4 I drove it was smooth no noise only slightly stiffer than stock.

 

Well ZZP was throwing a 6 puck clutch disk in with the F40 conversion kits. I can only assume that's where they're sourcing it from. I do wonder if a full disk would be better than a puck design though. I don't usually hear too many good things about puck clutches. :/

 

ZZP recommended South Bend to me and that started the ball rolling. I referred my SAAB buddy to the Sachs website for performance clutches, and then to South bend. THe SB folks seem to have the corner on doing good work and have great customer service.

afaik Kentucky use LUK. One customer I have has a KY and loves it.
Spec use Sachs but their customer service i have found horrible and their stuff sucks.

puck discs are horrible for street use. for sure.

full lining is way better.

 

they quorted my SAABISTE 300 for a modded sachs pressure plate and a disc? thats darn good. KY more than that I bet.

CED GMPP runs what ? 275 with a TOB

 

I will likely try the GMPP clutch. I've read alot of good things.

ZZP has the SB for $699. I think the KY is like $400.

I mostly want good streetability I have no plans for more than 400whp.

 

Horsepower isn't the deciding factor for your clutch. When buying a clutch you have to use your tq and how fast you get it. If you have an aggressive tune with fast ramping, you will need a pretty heavy duty clutch to hold. That's the only downside to twin scrolls like the k04 and the zfr, they make boost so fast and make so much torque that they kill clutches and trannies.

 

I am happy with my GMPP

 

I just ordered a South Bend Clutch Stage 4 It was a hard decision to make since KY is so popular on the forums. I just want something that won't really chatter I mean I know when your breaking in a clutch you'll hear some noises but goes away after breaking it in. Don't want to deal with chatter noises.

Hey Stamina, How is the ZZP stage 4 clutch and fidanza flywheel? Do you get any noises from the fidanza? I ordered a fidanza flywheel

 

Currently running a South Bend Stage 4 Plus on the 6 Speed ZZP Trans. Came from an exedy setup before.

The feel is alright but i prefer slightly stiffer feel. Will kepp you posted on how it does at the track.

 

i have a south bend stage 2... i think it is a little grabby for a DD IMO.

 

I get a little chatter on cold starts, but once I start driving it any noise goes away.