Southbend Stage 5... how is it? - SRT Forums

Pimpazzberetta · 02-27-2008, 09:02 AM

I'll be ordering a new clutch in the next week or 2. I'm torn between the stage 4 with full disk and the stage 5 with puck. I've had problems for the past year with slipping cluthes (stock, PS1, PS2). How harsh is the stage 5? Any extra pedal pressure, hows drivability?

NoisufnoC · 02-27-2008, 09:14 AM

FWIW I've got the SBC Stage 4 with my 50 trim, and love it.

I've been told that the Stage 3 guys should go with the Stage 5X because it has better low end clamping force for your fast spooling turbo.

squishy332000 · 02-27-2008, 09:16 AM

stage 5 is great, so drivability issues here, feels close to stock, and holds almost anything you can throw at it.

supermech21 · 02-27-2008, 09:18 AM

A local in town had issues with his stg 5 in daily driving conditions (in and out of traffic). Other than that I dont think theres many turbos out there that will break this clutch. I dont think its the best DD clutch but for the TQ spike it has been recomended by a top vendor on this site.

Do you have big wheel or nitrous or anything?

1badsrt-4 · 02-27-2008, 09:20 AM

Im going to try the Stage 5 this year. I had 1 deffective stage 4 last year. Then the replacement South Bend sent me started to slip at the track at the end of the season.

supermech21 · 02-27-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 1badsrt-4

Im going to try the Stage 5 this year. I had 1 deffective stage 4 last year. Then the replacement South Bend sent me started to slip at the track at the end of the season.

hrm, what were your mods? I have a stg 3 and now im adding more power than i planned on and I was thinking the stg4 was the clutch for me....but i dont hear a lot of guys going with the stg 4...

torque222 · 02-27-2008, 09:26 AM

i have the stage3 and i have had it for 1 year and absolutely no problems, it grabs and holds........

Pimpazzberetta · 02-27-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by supermech21

A local in town had issues with his stg 5 in daily driving conditions (in and out of traffic). Other than that I dont think theres many turbos out there that will break this clutch. I dont think its the best DD clutch but for the TQ spike it has been recomended by a top vendor on this site.

Do you have big wheel or nitrous or anything?

Not yet, key word yet.

DRASTIC. · 02-27-2008, 01:41 PM

i was told by a vendor on here that the stg4 has the highest failure rate out of all the SBC clutches. he wouldnt even sell me 1. being a customer, that told me alot considering he coulda took my money knowing i might be calling back 2weeks later...

i would personally go ACT 6puck over the stg5...but thats just me.

1badsrt-4 · 02-27-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DRASTIC.

i was told by a vendor on here that the stg4 has the highest failure rate out of all the SBC clutches. he wouldnt even sell me 1. being a customer, that told me alot considering he coulda took my money knowing i might be calling back 2weeks later...

i would personally go ACT 6puck over the stg5...but thats just me.

I even have the "upgraded stage 4 disc". My ACT was a complete POS aswell didnt even make it a full season.

As for HP I dont know really. The car runs 11.5 @ 124mph so I would assume about 450whp

srt4me18 · 02-27-2008, 02:00 PM

im curious how many of you are using light flywheel?? Im gonna order my clutch any day now....

1badsrt-4 · 02-27-2008, 02:03 PM

<---- Is using a aluminum flywheel

NoisufnoC · 02-27-2008, 02:05 PM

<-------- Is using SBC Stage 4 Modular setup

tavenger5 · 02-27-2008, 02:09 PM

I'm in the exact same boat as you. Went ps1, replaced the disk, now I'm replacing the whole thing cause it exploded. (not dcr's fault, I'm a dumbass) Regardless I couldn't get either disk to grab and it slipped all the way through 4th.

Stage 5 non-modular with flywheel is on order.

aaronneon@RealTune · 02-27-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DRASTIC.

i was told by a vendor on here that the stg4 has the highest failure rate out of all the SBC clutches. he wouldnt even sell me 1. being a customer, that told me alot considering he coulda took my money knowing i might be calling back 2weeks later...

i would personally go ACT 6puck over the stg5...but thats just me.

And your speaking out of experience?

No your not, your speaking out of thought and what you ''hear''. Come on now, your better than that.

FYI, EVERY ACT race that we have used, shit the bed. Not ONE stage 5 has died on us. We made over 50 passes in the 10 second 1/4 range last year with the stage 5 and not one single issue [the ACT couldnt even make it on the dyno, let alone the track]. I was a big fan of ACT a few years back, but not anymore. They are very harsh to drive, and the material cracks all to hell. I know of a few other people that have had that issue besides us. The material used is also a major culprit of the hang up on your shifts, when powershifting.

I do sell ACT products, and actually make more of a profit on them. I will not sell one to an SRT owner. Some food for thought

As for the stage 4 SBC. Ive lost count as to how many I have sold at this point. I have had two issues [both recent]. It wasnt with the clutch itself per say, but I wont leave anything out

EDIT: I would like to clarify on the stage 5 a bit more. There are two different stage 5s we sell. There is one I recommend for the Mopar stage 3 turbo guys, and one for everyone else [within the power limits]. We did have a few stage 5s slip from big wheeled stage 3 cars, but thats how the Stage 5X came about [which took care of the problem]. So as long as you talk to your SBC dealer and explain your setup...you will not have a problem. [and if you do...it will be taken care of immediately]