User 52121

Anybody else order a clutch rebuild from them recently?

I'm running one of their clutches now. It's ~2 years old, has a bunch of DE days on it (with a wife sharing those DE's and can't heel/toe yet) plus 2 years worth of AX events (with aggressive starts, also shared over 2 people). The disc is getting pretty worn and figure, while I'm in there, will have it redone again.

Last time I had them do it, in ~Feb of 2011, I sent them my worn out stock disc and PP, and they refurbished it for under $200. I want to say it was $175.

Just talked to them today. They quoted me $575 for the same thing. I mentioned that last time it was $175 and he basically told me I was mistaken because "that's below my cost."

WTF happened???

He also mentioned that he "wasn't sure it can even be rebuilt a 2nd time" and tried steering me towards buying a whole new unit.

Can anybody confirm that this is indeed their new pricing? Did I just get lucky? Or did I perhaps just get the wrong guy on the phone?

Crackership

I talked to them about a year ago about doing the same thing, and they quoted me something astronomical... I remember it was actually cheaper to buy a brand-new 930 disc, which is what I did.

If you need a good clutch option, I'd recommend talking to Dave Novak (dnovak on Rennlist). Sid is running one of his clutches on his stroker, and has tons of drag passes on it. If it holds up to that...

Dave's website: http://www.frontrangefabrication.com/

User 52121

Hahaha One step ahead of ya - I dug up Dave's website and shot him an email. Literally 10 seconds after hitting "send" I get 2 emails in my inbox - one was a reply notification (letting me know you posted, Crackership) and one from Joshua. Both saying, "Call FRF".

I guess I'm on the right path. I smell an FRF clutch in my future.

Still bummed about South Bend though. They were like one of those "little known secrets" kind of places. Not anymore.

Tom M'Guinn

I don't recall exactly but it sure wasn't even close to $575. See this thread to refresh your memory... Hard to believe costs tripled in a year or two. Sounds like the demand curve shifted upward and they've decided to ride it...



https://rennlist.com/forums/944-turb...th-bend-2.html

LUCKYJACKASS

You must have one of those 'assault clutches' that are going to be banned soon. There's a big rush on those as everyone wants to get one before they are banned. Retailers are cashing in.

User 52121

I guess perhaps it does seem like that's what happened.

I paid $175. A year later, toddk911 said he was quoted 250. There have been a few clutch quotes in between, and I know I've been recommending them every time I see a thread. Then there is reno's post.....

I guess, on one hand, for them it could be smart business. Though my bet is that their pricing is what GOT them 944 business in the first place, since they're not one of the typical 944 vendors. If they jack their prices like it seems they have... then my bet is that business will eventually fall off, as people will just go back to "tried and true" vendors.

I guess I'll buy an FRF unit, once I hear back from him.

JustinL

I've been running the clutchnet clutches for a few years. I use the 6 puck sprung hub and it's very aggressive for the street. I like the design and I think it will last for a very long time. The SPEC clutch that came out of the car was cracking between the center and friction ring and I wouldn't recommend that route.

333pg333

Anyone got a pic of their SouthBend kit? Pressure plate specifically.

F18Rep

These are South Bend stock/rebuilt parts (new guide tube and bolts). Seems like the price was $325; summer 2012...Bruce

PS the bearing was extra from Jason

333pg333

Thanks for the pics. Can anyone confirm how or where they modify the stock PP? If at all...

F18Rep

I believe all they did was, media blast it, and surface it. We had the release bearing separated. When we sent it in, the owner and I sort of thought the PP springs were a little weak - it seemed lighter to depress than my cars (which are also stock). But when we finally got it back together, it felt the same.
We mod'd the engine to, I believe, above 300 hp (butt dyno disclaimer) and could not get it to slip. It had a tiny bit of stutter on take off.

The owner was up against a budget and this did help to keep the costs down but I'm not sure I would do it again....Bruce

333pg333

Thanks Bruce. I ran over 400hp through mine with no sign of slip or stutter. Could have been a different package of course.

Richgreenster

I had my stock pp in my car for less than 300 miles when I removed it and shipped it to them. When I got it back from them and installed it I could tell a difference. It was definitely firmer.
They also removed my TO bearing from the stock coller that it is installed on. DO NOT REUSE IT!! I learned this the hard way. They ruin it when they seperate the tow pieces.

Dr. Dynamics

southbend did my clutch and pp about 6 months ago and it was 250$

reno808

,,,,