SBC Stage 5 Clutch: Initial Impressions

[NateDogg]

Hey Guys,

I installed this new SBC Stage 5 clutch yesterday and had a chance to play with it a bit on the street at 8psi (240whp).

I had my OEM flywheel resurfaced as the feramic material will eat any aluminum flywheels pretty quickly.

___________________________________________________________________Previous Clutch...My Centerforce Dual Friction was slipping badly at 10psi...here it is after removing it!





__________________________________________________________________________

Here is a pic of the new SBC Stage 5. It has 'feramic' face on both sides and is good for 475 ft lbs, according to Andy at South Bend Clutch.



Here it is installed and ready for action!



Initial Impressions:

Pedal Effort: The "SS" pressure plate included with the Stage 5 kit is supposed to be 30% stiffer than the original pressure plate. I still have the stock clutch master and slave but it felt perfectly normal, not too hard and not too soft. It is easy to modulate and the pedal height didnt change too much from my previous clutch. Engagement is still about an inch from the top of the pedal travel.

Driveability: Coming from a relatively stock-feeling clutch (CF DF), I was a little concerned about the driveability of this new clutch, as this car is my daily driver. First time I cautiously backed the car out of the shop, I was surprised at how smooth the engagement is. There is less 'slippage' ...if you let the clutch out too fast it will launch you but it only took me a minute to get used to it and I am so far very pleased with the driveability of this clutch. The feramic material is supposed to slip for a bit until it heats up and really grabs!

That's all I've got for now...hopefully this or next week I will turn the boost up to 15psi and take it to the track for some new 1/4mi times!

Questions? Comments?

Nate

[S13FX]

Any break in Period??

[NateDogg]

Yes, the surface of the clutch disk is not perfectly flat. The recommended break in period is 500 miles but I was going full throttle in 2nd gear yesterday with no slippage. As long as the clutch doesnt slip for more than 3 seconds, it will be fine.

[S13FX]

Cool Great review, any price info and who you bought it from?

Also, with the break in period I think thats more for when you want to dump the clutch or taking off.

I think once engaged and you go into wot it's not that important.

But I may be wrong.

[extreme135]

(Quote)Previous Clutch...My Centerforce Dual Friction was slipping badly at 10psi...here it is after removing it!

Did you have your flywheel resurfaced before installing your centerforce, I am pushing 18psi and over 350whp on my centerforce DF clutch with a findanza flywheel and have never had a problem slipping.

[NateDogg]

Yes I did. Maybe the aluminum flywheel helps dissipate heat from the clutch better than the stock steel flywheel?

I know of others who have been limited to about 300wtq with the CF DF so I cant really explain your results other than the heat issue. But good luck man thats great for you!
Modified by NateDogg at 12:54 AM 6/12/2007