:nurse: I just removed a very tired and well grooved stocker clutch, pressure plate and flywheel.
The stock clutch leaves little to be desired and does not get all the power to the wheels PERIOD.
I called some friends of mine from the Diesel Performance Industry ( I am a Diesel Motor Sports Association Race Director.) These friends are one of the leaders of providing the ability to transfer ungodly amounts of diesel torque to the ground. They are known for there incredible clutches in the Diesel Sled Pulling Competitions. And they also are known for their racing competition clutches. Diesel torque hits fast and early so having a clutch that holds up to this abuse these rigs can dish out is a feat with a stick.
Here is a link to my friends : http://www.southbendclutch.com/
I called Pete and discussed my displeasure with my factory clutch in my Viper Truck. I was leery of the current offerings available to me. He listened carefully as I relented to him my driving style. I feel this is a good way to give him an idea on the abuse I am known to throw at my rides. He took this information and told me he can make my experience driving this truck a big time pleasure for me again.
Southbend custom built me a SS DXD for my Viper truck. I was informed to break it in with 150 miles of normal, easy going street driving, and once completed, I could start to get on it in my normal fashion.
To prepare for this new bad boy clutch I ordered a new flywheel from Dodge, and also ordered a JMB Viper Slave upgrade kit (thanks Justin! Your service rocks!!) And also picked up some Royal Purple juices for the trans.
Removal of the stock trans went pretty straight forward along with removal of the stock slave cylinder assembly. Once we had the stock clutch and pressure plate out I seen the reasons for my displeasure. The clutch plate was well toasted and the pressure plate surface was well grooved and abused, the flywheel showed excessive chatter markings on the surface.
I'll keep those around and hang em on the shops wall.
Install.....
The JMB Slave upgrade kit was installed with no problems and was very easy to accomplish. This upgrade kit is a must do with any high preformance clutch and the stock platistic assembly is little to be desired in strength for the Ronnie Sox's out there.
The install of the new flywheel, clutch and pressure plate was abreeze to install also. Be sure to use your torque wrench and torque everything in evenly in a crisscross pattern.
Driving impression-
As soon as the job was done and the tools were returned to the toolboxs, start up was done while still on the jackstands. I checked the clutch pedals movement and clutch application- everything was good, no noises or vibrations felt. Off the jack stands and set to back out the garage- as soon as a started to let off the clutch pedal the clutch grabbed and WHOA!
I took it down the road and easily rowed through a few gears- the grip was really starting to impress me. I have 85 miles on it thus far and I have yet to bring the engine over 4000 rpm's- so far I am VERY HAPPY and VERY WELL IMPRESSED. This clutch flat out grabs!!!!:rock: My opinion is this is defineately a clutch set up for the folks with forced induction or for the folks who like myself "drive em like they stole em" :rock:
I will update as this clutch gets fully broken in- and once the track opens I'll take it to the track to validate my performance increase. :elefant:
I know the e.t. will not reflect what little I have done to my truck- I am positive it is way better as I feel this clutch grab and take hold thus transferring the engines torque to the wheels in an efficient manner.
For those of you who are considering a new upgrade I will vouch 150% for the SouthBend Clutch. Call up and talk to Pete- he stands behind his products and really knows how to transfer power to the wheels with an efficient clutch set up. Trust me you will be happy with Southbend- just like I am. I don't work for Southbend nor benifit from them, I am posting this in a manner to which inform my Viper truck buds of something new that is impressive- and is a very worthy upgrade that can take what you throw at it.
Southbend Clutches ROCK!!!!!!:rock: :rock: Now I need to go out and gently put another 70 or so miles on it and then go vette hunting:burnout::elefant: :elefant: :elefant: :elefant:
The stock clutch leaves little to be desired and does not get all the power to the wheels PERIOD.
I called some friends of mine from the Diesel Performance Industry ( I am a Diesel Motor Sports Association Race Director.) These friends are one of the leaders of providing the ability to transfer ungodly amounts of diesel torque to the ground. They are known for there incredible clutches in the Diesel Sled Pulling Competitions. And they also are known for their racing competition clutches. Diesel torque hits fast and early so having a clutch that holds up to this abuse these rigs can dish out is a feat with a stick.
Here is a link to my friends : http://www.southbendclutch.com/
I called Pete and discussed my displeasure with my factory clutch in my Viper Truck. I was leery of the current offerings available to me. He listened carefully as I relented to him my driving style. I feel this is a good way to give him an idea on the abuse I am known to throw at my rides. He took this information and told me he can make my experience driving this truck a big time pleasure for me again.
Southbend custom built me a SS DXD for my Viper truck. I was informed to break it in with 150 miles of normal, easy going street driving, and once completed, I could start to get on it in my normal fashion.
To prepare for this new bad boy clutch I ordered a new flywheel from Dodge, and also ordered a JMB Viper Slave upgrade kit (thanks Justin! Your service rocks!!) And also picked up some Royal Purple juices for the trans.
Removal of the stock trans went pretty straight forward along with removal of the stock slave cylinder assembly. Once we had the stock clutch and pressure plate out I seen the reasons for my displeasure. The clutch plate was well toasted and the pressure plate surface was well grooved and abused, the flywheel showed excessive chatter markings on the surface.
I'll keep those around and hang em on the shops wall.
Install.....
The JMB Slave upgrade kit was installed with no problems and was very easy to accomplish. This upgrade kit is a must do with any high preformance clutch and the stock platistic assembly is little to be desired in strength for the Ronnie Sox's out there.
The install of the new flywheel, clutch and pressure plate was abreeze to install also. Be sure to use your torque wrench and torque everything in evenly in a crisscross pattern.
Driving impression-
As soon as the job was done and the tools were returned to the toolboxs, start up was done while still on the jackstands. I checked the clutch pedals movement and clutch application- everything was good, no noises or vibrations felt. Off the jack stands and set to back out the garage- as soon as a started to let off the clutch pedal the clutch grabbed and WHOA!
I took it down the road and easily rowed through a few gears- the grip was really starting to impress me. I have 85 miles on it thus far and I have yet to bring the engine over 4000 rpm's- so far I am VERY HAPPY and VERY WELL IMPRESSED. This clutch flat out grabs!!!!:rock: My opinion is this is defineately a clutch set up for the folks with forced induction or for the folks who like myself "drive em like they stole em" :rock:
I will update as this clutch gets fully broken in- and once the track opens I'll take it to the track to validate my performance increase. :elefant:
I know the e.t. will not reflect what little I have done to my truck- I am positive it is way better as I feel this clutch grab and take hold thus transferring the engines torque to the wheels in an efficient manner.
For those of you who are considering a new upgrade I will vouch 150% for the SouthBend Clutch. Call up and talk to Pete- he stands behind his products and really knows how to transfer power to the wheels with an efficient clutch set up. Trust me you will be happy with Southbend- just like I am. I don't work for Southbend nor benifit from them, I am posting this in a manner to which inform my Viper truck buds of something new that is impressive- and is a very worthy upgrade that can take what you throw at it.
Southbend Clutches ROCK!!!!!!:rock: :rock: Now I need to go out and gently put another 70 or so miles on it and then go vette hunting:burnout::elefant: :elefant: :elefant: :elefant:
