South Bend Clutch Stage 2 Kits

South Bend Clutch Stage 2 Kits are a heavy duty version of the stock OEM clutch. The Pressure Plate has an increase clamp load for extended life. The disc is dual dampened for smooth engagement and increased transmission life. Premium friction material ensures rapid heat dissipation increasing the life of the clutch.

Key Features

• Stage 2 Kits Available for Daily, Endurance and Drag Race Driving
• Recommended for Heavy Towing & Daily Driving.
• Full Ceramic, Kevlar/Ceramic and Organic Clutches
• Smooth Engagement – Feels Like Stock
• Ideal for Moderate Power Upgrades on Diesels
• Some Kits Include Flywheel & Hydraulics

Stage 2 - Daily:

Engineered for HP modifications. This Heavy Duty Pressure Plate has an increased clamp load with little or no increase in pedal pressure. The Organic disc material has a high metal content that increases the co-efficient of friction by two times over a stock lining and increases rotational strength up to a 12,000 RPM burst point. This clutch system maintains a stock feel while offering strength and durability. Recommended usage is daily, street and moderate race.

Stage 2 - Endurance: 

An SFI approved single mass flywheel is recommended for this application to get optimal performance. This clutch system is designed for the racing climate. The pressure plate is precision balance for vibration free operation at high RPM. The pressure plate fulcrum is altered for a positive disengagement and a quick shift. The disc is engineered with a Dual Damped design to provide accurate control when accelerating through corners. The friction material is a hybrid using a full face Feramic (Sintered Iron) lining on the flywheel side and a high metal content Organic lining on the pressure plate side. Engagement is positive yet buffered due to the high graphite content unique to Feramic facings. Recommended uses are daily and street with an emphasis on Rally and Endurance racing.

Stage 2 - Drag:

Drag racing requires a Single Mass SFI approved Flywheel to be included with each kit when the original design is Dual Mass. This system features a Heavy Duty Pressure Plate modified for a puck style disc with no cushion between the linings to keep the clutch pedal travel short and quick. The puck design disc reduces rotational mass and total drive surface area while increasing pounds per square inch on the surface of the friction material. This combination minimizes inertia, accelerating the transfer of torque from the engine to the wheels. The friction material used for this race application is Graphite Impregnated Ceramic. This compound exceeded all other friction materials when testing for durability, reduced chatter, heat transfer and torque capacity. Recommended uses are drag racing, drifting and limited street.

Before ordering, try to figure out how much horsepower your truck makes. It is important to get as close as you can. Many people don’t realize that you can over-clutch a system. A clutch designed to hold 550 hp may not act right in a truck that only puts out 350 hp to the rear wheels. Planning to upgrade your truck’s performance in the future? Realize that if you choose a clutch based on that, and you don’t upgrade later, you might end up with parts you’re not happy with.

South Bend Clutch General Important Guidelines:

• The hp rating of the clutch should match or slightly exceed the estimated hp of the truck
• Any truck used for competition sled-pulling should use an SFI approved multi-disc clutch.
• Trucks in excess of 450 rear wheel hp that regularly tow 15,000 lbs or more should use a double disc clutch designed for the street.
• Trucks that are above the 450 RWHP which are used primarily for towing should use a street double disc. A full metallic single disc clutch is likely to engage too aggressively, especially on 2WD trucks.
• High torque clutches often incorporate metallic linings which may cause an aggressive engagement. This may be even more apparent when towing.
• Performance or high torque clutches may feel, drive or sound different than the factory system.
• Break in your clutch with at least 500 miles of stop and go driving before pulling a load.
• Avoid down-shifting rather than using your brakes. Down-shifting flexes the pressure plate causing uneven wear. Brakes are less costly than clutches.