southbend clutch speed6

[jmhinkle]

Dustin has the beta stage 4. Running for 5 months now. It's definitely the shit.

[djuosnteisn]

Yup.... i've been beta testing the stage 4 kit for several months now, with lots of wot pulls and enough torque to rip motor mounts in the middle of a 3rd gear pull. My current 30psi tune is kissing 500 ft-lbs on the same v-dyno road i've always logged on.





I've also run a clutch masters fx400, and act sprung 6 puck, and oem (obviously).

- The clutch masters was epic fail due to the aluminum fly wheel compressing under the bolt heads and coming loose. It also had contact issues with my bell housing. I could never even shift above 5000 rpms with that stupid clutch: My Clutch Masters FX400 post mortem It was 100% the biggest waste of $1100 in my life.

- The ACT was the non-pixy dust disc. We know the non-pixy discs only last like 10k miles from other's previous experiences (it's daily driving that seems to kill them, not high torque IMO). They seem to hold the power just fine, but at the cost of fairly rough engagement at DD. ACT seems to have addressed the dd failures with said pixy coating, but only time will tell how well it works now that a few cars are running em. Hopefully it's good, cause it was a very nice kit for the money.

- The SB has a much more interesting disc design and material than the others (i can only speak of the stage 4 cause that's all i've tested, but it looks quite similar to the stage 3).
SBC Stage 4 Mazdaspeed Clutch

Like Joel mentioned, it's almost a hybrid style disc, with 2 more pucks than the ACT i tried. DD engagement has quite a bit less bite. You can still feel it grab (it's still a freaking stage 4 clutch, lol), but it's no where near as harsh as the ACT IMO. Pedal feel is nice, not as stiff as the clutch masters, but stiffer than the ACT. I don't limp after driving around in town lol.

When you're shifting at wot though, it's performance is amazing. I haven't had any release issues in the slightest; pedal in - shift - pedal out. As soon as the clutch engages you're back in your seat, almost instantaneously. I've been running this clutch for almost 5 months now, and i dd my 6 as often as possible whenever the damn thing is running, lol. I'm about to tear into my 3, so i'm sure the miles will keep piling on.


It looks like they are fairly expensive (so was my fx400), but i would definitely give it the highest marks of the 3 clutches i've tried. For me (a poor s.o.b. who's had the trans off more times than you can count on one hand), it's worth the extra money for a clutch that can not only handle the torque, but also last. My fingers are crossed that it will continue to perform great as more months trickle by. Plus, SBC has done a fantastic job of beta testing and proving their product before offering it to the public; something that cannot be said about many companies. They're very professional, and very dedicated. We're lucky to have em on our platform.

[Boosten Ya(josh)]

How many miles do you have on this clutch so far?

[aviator79]

Originally Posted by jmhinkle According to these pics, it's a stage 4. That's what I would go with if I could justify that price.

I will have to wait to look at pics as website comes out in plain text at work. I didnt realize you were talking about the SBs. I want it. Dont know that I can afford it. Didnt factor in such a huge expense in the clutch.

[jmhinkle]

Same problem I have. Just out of my budget.

[Alpha]

Stage 3's being balanced behind my sleeved motor as we speak. Can't wait! : )

I'll take one investment in a SB clutch over two cheap clutches and headaches anyday.

[silvapain]

When my pixie dust ACT 6-puck needs replacing I will be going with the SB clutch. Only reason I'm not running it already is I couldn't get in on the beta testing when I needed to replace my OE clutch.


Tapadatass

[paveltol]

Originally Posted by djuosnteisn - The ACT was the non-pixy dust disc. We know the non-pixy discs only last like 10k miles from other's previous experiences (it's daily driving that seems to kill them, not high torque IMO). They seem to hold the power just fine, but at the cost of fairly rough engagement at DD. ACT seems to have addressed the dd failures with said pixy coating, but only time will tell how well it works now that a few cars are running em. Hopefully it's good, cause it was a very nice kit for the money. - The SB has a much more interesting disc design and material than the others (i can only speak of the stage 4 cause that's all i've tested, but it looks quite similar to the stage 3). SBC Stage 4 Mazdaspeed Clutch Like Joel mentioned, it's almost a hybrid style disc, with 2 more pucks than the ACT i tried. DD engagement has quite a bit less bite. You can still feel it grab (it's still a freaking stage 4 clutch, lol), but it's no where near as harsh as the ACT IMO. Pedal feel is nice, not as stiff as the clutch masters, but stiffer than the ACT. I don't limp after driving around in town lol. When you're shifting at wot though, it's performance is amazing. I haven't had any release issues in the slightest; pedal in - shift - pedal out. As soon as the clutch engages you're back in your seat, almost instantaneously. I've been running this clutch for almost 5 months now, and i dd my 6 as often as possible whenever the damn thing is running, lol. I'm about to tear into my 3, so i'm sure the miles will keep piling on.

What is a non-pixy dust disc?

Does the SB clutch kit shatter?

[djuosnteisn]

Originally Posted by Boosten Ya(josh) How many miles do you have on this clutch so far?

My odo is at 32k right now... so i would say like 4k or so i bet. I literally drive it as much as possible when the cars not t3h brokedz. Haven't touched my 3 this whole week. 600 miles of it were break in though, lots of up and down shifts and no wot.

Originally Posted by paveltol What is a non-pixy dust disc? Does the SB clutch kit shatter?

Chatter? Na. I think i've heard it chatter at idle maybe once or twice early on, and that was in my garage where you can hear everything. Even with the new trans mount, it's quiet as stock. It's funny you mention it though, cause when i talked with SBC about my first impressions (once i finally started going wot), the first thing they asked about was "how does it sound? Is it quiet?". I got a kick out of it cause they had no doubts about it handling the torque... it wasn't even the slightest concern in their minds. Instead they were concerned with the aesthetics and refinement of it.

[superskaterxes]

the best part about the ACT is the price, you get a new clutch disc/FW/PP/TOB/PB for ~$650. the new pixie dust material was specifically designed to hold up to DD use while providing 15% more clamping force. the pedal feel is almost stock as well. i know a few people who went 25k on the non pixie-dust 6 puck and the best part is it only costs $150 for ACT to replace the pads, and resurface the FW/PP. not that changing clutches is fun but its nice to know its cheap to basically start all over with a new clutch again.


the SB clutch seems to be a great product but at its price point, i could never justify it.....

[aviator79]

Originally Posted by superskaterxes the best part about the ACT is the price, you get a new clutch disc/FW/PP/TOB/PB for ~$650. the new pixie dust material was specifically designed to hold up to DD use while providing 15% more clamping force. the pedal feel is almost stock as well. i know a few people who went 25k on the non pixie-dust 6 puck and the best part is it only costs $150 for ACT to replace the pads, and resurface the FW/PP. not that changing clutches is fun but its nice to know its cheap to basically start all over with a new clutch again. the SB clutch seems to be a great product but at its price point, i could never justify it.....

How do u change ms6 clutch w/o pulling engine? That's def something that I'm concerned about having to do one a year. But if sub goes then what? Another $1100? Frack

[jmhinkle]

Tranny comes out the bottom by removing the subframe. Dustin and I have it down pretty good now.

[dan7225]

Does sb clutch come with a new tob

[theschrum]

Just ordered the Stage 4. Aaron from RealTune said I should have it this week. Will post pics and reviews, but I am sure it will be nothing short of complete win.

I can't wait to get my MS6 back on the road.

[theschrum]

Originally Posted by dan7225 Does sb clutch come with a new tob

Just asked Aaron. The kit does not come with the throw out bearing.

[Boosten Ya(josh)]

All that money and they don't even come with the bearings? What kind of shit is that?

[aviator79]

I asked him about what happens when it needs to be replaced. Never got a reply.

[Alpha]

I'm just gonna get an OEM replacement and send it out for WPC treatment.

Kinda lame that it isn't included though.

[theschrum]

Earlier this week I ordered the stage 4 kit from RealTuned.
06-07 Mazdaspeed6
The clutch was delivered today. Opened up the box and it didn't come exactly as expected.

First thing I noticed was that it didn't include the alignment tool.


I know it's not considered a kit, but an alignment tool is pictured on Realtune's site with the clutch.

On to the clutch/pressure plate.
Removing the pressure plate, the very first thing I noticed was that the disc is a 6 puck style and not like the "8 puck hybrid" jmhinkle had seen, which is probably the one pictured as stage 4.



I wish it was the "8 puck hybrid" as pictured, but I can live with a 6 puck.

Now onto the flywheel.
No problems here. A solid steel flywheel, I weighed it just at 23 lbs.


Total this weighs about 41 lbs.

Should be a couple more weeks before I get my MS6 back together to see how it drives. Does anybody need any measurements specific pics from it?

[djuosnteisn]

Originally Posted by theschrum Earlier this week I ordered the stage 4 kit from RealTuned...

What the heck? That looks considerably different than mine. Did you confirm that it is indeed the proper stage 4 clutch? Wonder why the design changed....

[Boosten Ya(josh)]

Should be a couple more weeks before I get my MS6 back together to see how it drives. Does anybody need any measurements specific pics from it?

theschrum

yeah what size is the flywheel and clutch disk?

[theschrum]

Originally Posted by djuosnteisn What the heck? That looks considerably different than mine. Did you confirm that it is indeed the proper stage 4 clutch? Wonder why the design changed....

The packing slip says stage 4. Here is the part # on the box

The disc pictured on SB's website for the Calbier's stage 4 looks identical.
http://204.10.137.151/clutches/SBCSRTCSSX.jpg

Originally Posted by Boosten Ya(josh) yeah what size is the flywheel and clutch disk?

Flywheel



Disc

[djuosnteisn]

Cool, as long as it's as they intended Let us know how it feels man.

[Erich]

Don't know if they changed the design from the 6 puck that went into my car in February (or if stage 4 would even be the same design), but so far it has held up to over 5000 miles on my car with extended periods of that on the 640hp tune.

[Boosten Ya(josh)]

Thanks. It's the same size as the act clutch.

[aviator79]

Maybe you guys got a stage 4.5

[stage 4 disc with stage 5 pressure plate = same price as stage 5 but still has the anti-chatter technology]

(from Aaron@Realtune)

[mazdafreak]

Any updates on this clutch, whoever is running it??

Its my plan to get this clutch since mine is starting to slip here and there.

[paveltol]

I also wrote to Southbend and to RealTuned, but never got a reply.

[djuosnteisn]

Alpha just received his afaik.


Sent from a future phone

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by mazdafreak Any updates on this clutch, whoever is running it?? Its my plan to get this clutch since mine is starting to slip here and there.

I've had mine for a couple months, sitting at PTP waiting on my motor to be built, but both are now on their way to me to be installed so... I'm pretty pumped.

Originally Posted by paveltol I also wrote to Southbend and to RealTuned, but never got a reply.

Call and ask for John, he's the import application manager... Cool guy. You can tell him I referred you if you like. (Alpha/Fernando)

[paveltol]

That price btw is not that high, especially compared to SPEC clutch kit, which is more expensive. If only I could see more feedback on these clutches..

Chime in please with info/experience!

[mazdafreak]

I just picked up a act 6puck, wonder if I should hold off for a lil.....Plus motor is getting built and bt (pte 6262))



I have until spring to completely decide.

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by mazdafreak I just picked up a act 6puck, wonder if I should hold off for a lil.....Plus motor is getting built and bt (pte 6262)) I have until spring to completely decide.

I'd do it once and right man... Proper Southbend FTW!

[superskaterxes]

Originally Posted by mazdafreak I just picked up a act 6puck, wonder if I should hold off for a lil.....Plus motor is getting built and bt (pte 6262)) I have until spring to completely decide.

6 puck running strong on the most abused MS6 in the world!

[paveltol]

More feedback on these clutches please!!!

Can you please confirm whether the flywheel is made of steel? How is the dd driveability?
Can someone ask RealTuned to let us know the friction surface area of the disk?

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by paveltol More feedback on these clutches please!!! Can you please confirm whether the flywheel is made of steel? How is the dd driveability? Can someone ask RealTuned to let us know the friction surface area of the disk?

They only make steel FWs. Drivability, quiet operation, and comfort were their main objectives aside of holding capacity.

Can't wait to drive mine!

[paveltol]

Sorry for my bad English... it should be comfortable and quiet, right? Looks like Dusctin is quite satisfied with it.

I wonder how long it will last compared to stock and ACT.

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by paveltol Sorry for my bad English... it should be comfortable and quiet, right? Looks like Dusctin is quite satisfied with it. I wonder how long it will last compared to stock and ACT.

Yes. I have no doubt that it will prove superior. Southbend has always had a great reputation in the turbo community.

[paveltol]

IMO in case it lasts as much as ACT, it is worthless.
Hope it doesn't.

[Aaron@Realtune]

Originally Posted by Alpha Yes. I have no doubt that it will prove superior. Southbend has always had a great reputation in the turbo community.

Without a doubt. These setups are near identical to the Caliber SRT4 setups we have been using since 2008. Last year we made a push for the anti-chatter design and did all of the testing. The Mazda community is the first outside of the Caliber to benefit from our efforts.

With the MS3 and Caliber being similar in weight and power levels, I feel strongly that this community will have great success with SB clutches.

As for the price point, personally I would rather spend a bit extra for something that will hold the power as well as last, drive nice and not make a ton of noise. Everyone has their price point though