TowRig.com - Diesel Discussion and Tow Tech

Got a new South Bend Con OFE in the truck. My dad's throw out bearing was making all kinds of racket so i convinced him that he needed a South bend clutch in his '02 Ram.rotfl

We decided on a Con OFE model that is rated for 450HP/1000ft lbs. I figured that was enough to handle even another future fueling mod, and my dad was sure it would be plenty as he "says" that he has enough power.:D

What a good improvement, the clutch is actually easier to throw in now vs. the stock unit. It shifts smoother now too. Very nice unit, good job South Bend and thanks to Diesel Nut Motorsports for the parts.waytogo

Now I see why half the guys on TDR with manuals have South Bends!

http://towrig.com/photos/data/500/january_22_snowmobile_pics_007.jpg
http://towrig.com/photos/data/511/Picture_001.jpg

That's coolwaytogo That's what I'm planning on getting when I need a new one. Maybe when I have some money saved up I'll make sure I need one;)
And on a side note, why don't you put some real mirrors on that truck:stir:

Hey man, I've got real mirrors on my truck and thats as far as my authority goes.;) http://towrig.com/photos/data/510/Picture_050.jpg\

I've tried to get him to buy the real mirrors, but he doesn't wan't to spend any money and doesn't want to loose his power mirrors. I even offered to do the labor for free (it's not like I charge him for anything else I've done to it) including doing the flip out power conversion! Oh well....but it's not over yet....:D

Yeah been there done that, can't teach the old man anything. I would like mine to be powered but since I didn't start out with them I have a feeling it would be a hassle to convert them. But then I do have the girl... little farther, little farther...nope to far, bring it back just a bit.waytogo

You definitely cant go wrong with the service and prices at SBC. The OFE is about the best bang for the buck clutch out there for the power it holds and the smoothness of its engagement.

Now when you do the conversion to the 13" upgrade...it comes with the flywheel with the pilot bearing already install. This new bearing according to Peter...is the best.
I have come to learn what Peter says..thats it..

Rick

Forget south bend if you want the baddest clutch ever made for these trucks give this guy a call and ask him for the four puck ceramic disk that he made for me and an extreme pressure plate and throw out bearing.

Dan K. Vallance ValAir, Inc.
3911 FM 3028
Mineral Wells, Tx 76067
Phone:940-327-0682
Fax:940-327-8405
Mobile:940-859-1496
Email: Valair@direcway.com

They will handle up to 2500 ftlbs of torque, real grabby though. but the pressure plate is mean it weights as much as the whole stock package.

Obviously something that aggressive is not designed for daily street use and towing. That sounds like a wonderfull racing part, but the Southbend clutches are designed to feel like they are stock, yet with less pedal pressure and more holding power. Exactly what you want for a truck that works pulling trailers and DD'ing.

well im pushing 1400+ ftlbs of torque and mine is a daily driver when I mean grabby, during normal driving conditions you let out of the pedal about 15% of the way before the clutch is fully engaged and the pedal pressure is just about the same not that much of a noticable difference. I love it! I dont have to worry about frying the clutch on the weekends anymore I was going through clutch discs once every 3 weeks now Ive had this one in for several months and its not even showing signs of failure. takes a little longer to break in though. But anyone who is running some serious power this is most definately the clutch to go with. I didnt mean any offence to anyone, I am just simply putting the information out there to anyone who might need it. This clutch is the best for high power applications.

Forget south bend if you want the baddest clutch ever made for these trucks give this guy a call and ask him for the four puck ceramic disk that he made for me and an extreme pressure plate and throw out bearing.

Dan K. Vallance ValAir, Inc.
3911 FM 3028
Mineral Wells, Tx 76067
Phone:940-327-0682
Fax:940-327-8405
Mobile:940-859-1496
Email: Valair@direcway.com

They will handle up to 2500 ftlbs of torque, real grabby though. but the pressure plate is mean it weights as much as the whole stock package.


LOL...sorry about this being my first post but OMG!!!

First off, 2500 ftlbs of torque? rotfl
These trucks simply cannot produce these type of #'s. According to Schied's, Haisley's and Enterprise Engines, You can keep increasing the HP but the torque plateaus at around 1500.
Now, we are talking about a 12" clutch with a 4 button disc. with stock pedal feel holding 2500 ft lbs? We build a 13" triple disc (Iron Giant III) with 72 feramic buttons, billet steel flywheel with bronze inlay, 2 .400" steel center plates and a 4200 lb pressure plate that requires heavy duty hydraulics and all is cryogenically treated and I don't think this clutch will handle 2500 ft lbs. of torque.

After reading this and seeing that (TheDog24v) has so few posts and doesn't even list the mods of his truck and even has Valair's mobel phone # it reminded me of something I just caught on another site. (Dieselram.com) I exposed this joker over here, read this...




OMG!!!!!!!!!!

Clutchman's profile reads this...

New Poster (Welcome!)
Member Number: 12067
Registered: June 05, 2006
Posts: 6
Email Address: valair@valairinc.com
Location: MIneral Wells Tx
Occupation: Vice-President
Homepage: http://www.valairinc.com (http://www.valairinc.com/)
Birth Date: September 21, 1961


And he makes a post like this........


quote: Look at www.valairinc.com (http://www.valairinc.com/) and go to performance clutches they have a ceramic singleplate with a spring hub out of a semi,i've heard nothing but good about these guy's and i'm a local guy and have installed at least 5 of these in the last month they are a little grabby but hold really well won't slip and a good price. Folks, this is the VP of Valair acting like joe truck owner pedaling his products. http://dieselram.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Any company with business practices like this, I would personaly think long and hard before doing business with them.

Just my observations

Peter
South Bend Clutch


Kinda look the same? :rolleyes:

By the way, RJF's Red Cummins, thank you for the business and I am glad you like the clutch and to the others, thank you for the kind words. waytogo

Peter
South Bend Clutch

It does sound trollish.:rolleyes:

Thank you for building a great clutch! Most of us don't want a triple plate over under double roller, sugar glazed, extra spreckles clutch.

The OFE with a better pedal feel, no extra grabbyness and if not less, and plenty of holding power. It's what the daily driver towing crowd wants!

Well (South Bend Clutch) if you think that I am such a Joke and a Liar then why dont you come to Wichita Falls Texas and pay TheDog a visit. Lets see if you can hang!

I have a dual disc it's great rattles a little, but I can deal with it

When the dust settles....South Bend Clutch will STILL be the top dog and ready for more!

Rick

Valair inc has never made a post or has never made any claims about 2400 or 2500 ft lbs of torque. Maybe you should consider the source and listen to my dads old saying, when someone is telling you something consider what they have to gain by telling you this. Besides all fo our torque ratings are and have been posted on our web site.
Dan Vallance VP
Valair Inc.

As a South Bend Clutch retailer and former user (new truck has auto - sorry Peter!) I will post this -

South Bend makes a very good clutch. They are typically smooth engaging and easy to drive compared to tother clutches in comperable hp ranges.

Second - in the occasional event of a problem, I have NEVER dealt with a company so focused on taking care of the customer and fixing the problem. I have seen this personally and I'm here to tell ya, I sell their clutches because they are well priced, durable, well put together products and they stand behind them fully.


Not trying to start a war here, but SBC has been in business for how long?

I have never heard of Valair. Not saying anything about you other than this isn't the greatest way to reveal a new product line.

Valair inc. has been in business since the early 1990's,
we have more than 100 Years combined experience. I pesonally have been building clutches for 33 Years . Valair has more than 75 distributors in LA,NM,TX. We sell approximantley 7,000 class 8 clutches per year with a less than 2% defect rate. We have an excellent track record for Quality, Service and Technical support, primarily in the class 8 market. The last two years we have been testing and expanding into the Light truck market with excellent results. Our customer base includes two of the largest Truck parts distributors in the nation (FleetPride,Truck Parts Specialists) and several O.E.M. truck dealerships,(IHC,Kenworth,Mack & Volvo) All of our customers are available for reference upon request. 2nd. of all, i have heard nothing but good about SBC, but competition does seem to keep people honest.
Dan Vallance VP
Valair Inc.

I have South Bend DD 3600 6 ceramin puck enroute from Peirs here in Canada. I'm already over powering the stocker pretty easily.

Nothing but South Bend Clutches on my shelves and in my truck! Customer service is 2nd to none..and so is the product...Currently my Con OFE is hold more than it was rated...and has 70k on it.

Rick

Well (South Bend Clutch) if you think that I am such a Joke and a Liar then why dont you come to Wichita Falls Texas and pay TheDog a visit. Lets see if you can hang!

Oh man South Bend Clutch... you really thing you can 'hang' with 'the dog'?rotfl

the only person trying to decieve anyone is Larry accusing Valair of being the Dog, the dog is a young kid out of wichita falls tx, valair is out of mineral wells tx.

Very Happy with my 13" valair organic feramic and dan and kevins customer service when I spoke with both of them before my purchase. I spoke with peter at sb as well but was more pleased at the time kevin took talking to me about my truck and his help in picking the right clutch for me. Not to mention price wasnt near as hard on the wallet. Happy customer here if I am the only one lol. 13" ofe with HD hub.
waytogo