SouthBend Stage 3 Drop in Review

HYDE16 said:

This is your OEM clutch possibly worn out from the drop in disc, I had the same symptoms and it was the clutch.

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What do you mean, OEM clutch worn out? The SB Stage 3 drop in disk is the clutch, no? With OEM PP and DMFW?

Well, after reading the 32 page RSR thread and the other RSR thread, I am looking to go with the Audi TT-RS PP + TDI disc + new TOB setup.

v-dug said:

NLS also makes a shim for the OEM slave cylinder, but I'm not 100% sold especially since the clutch takes hold almost at the top of the pedal as it is.

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Something doesn't add up. You're saying that your clutch essentially starts disengaging as soon as you press the pedal but its still not fully disengaged by the time your foot's on the floor? If that's the case, it definitely sounds like it needs to be bled better (because air compresses).

I had a sticky shifter in 1st and 2nd gears after a lot of stop and go driving with my sb stage 2 kit. I contacted sbc and they offered me their spacers for the TOB. Its been shifting beautifully ever since.

Yeah V.B, that's the behavior though it doesn't make a lot of sense. Not every time, but sometimes multiple times a day it doesn't want to come out of gear. And I know it's an issue with not disengaging, because sometimes it will do it in a parking lot when I depress the clutch pedal in 1st gear - it will drag and lurch the car until I either pump the clutch again or yank it out of gear.

I've had it bled multiple times and it still does it. Possibly bad slave cylinder, so it will get replaced as well.

Andrew429 said:

I emailed southbend back in early February and SDTSI-OFE is the correct part number for the stage 3 drop in disc, this disc does not have springs, but I'm pretty sure the old revision does have them and those were known to have problems, correct me on that if I'm wrong


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south bend sent me the wrong disc waiting on the new one to get here...:thumbdown:

OKay guys I haven't been on here in a while but I was researching something and thought I'd pop in and ask this question... I got a stage 3 disk put in like last spring to hold the power on my Revo tune. Sometimes now, it still slips in certain gears, but its more of like an abrupt slip at higher revs, mostly in 2nd and 3rd gear where the car seems (to me at least) when its putting down the most torque. I can usually get it to happen in 3rd gear, sometimes it'll happen in 2nd. Keep in mind this is usually at the top end of the gear when I'm doing a pull and really winding the car out. Wtf.... Am I crazy? Does this sound like a clutch issue or no? I really want it not to be but if its not I'm not sure I want to know what it actually is.. Again its at high rpm's and its a quick few shudders usually in 3rd gear and sometimes 2nd, but its not a constant slipping like we experience on the stock clutches.

I was hoping someone could possibly help me out here...

Here are some ideas on other things it could be.

-I go to school in Ohio so I am frequently driving on trips back to Chicago at a constant 70+ mph. I think I read somewhere that this could be relevant.
-Spark plugs may need to be changed, can't remember last time I did but I have a shitty memory.
-Intake filter REALLY needs cleaning, probably going to do that tomorrow or next week.

DasAuto1295 said:

OKay guys I haven't been on here in a while but I was researching something and thought I'd pop in and ask this question... I got a stage 3 disk put in like last spring to hold the power on my Revo tune. Sometimes now, it still slips in certain gears, but its more of like an abrupt slip at higher revs, mostly in 2nd and 3rd gear where the car seems (to me at least) when its putting down the most torque. I can usually get it to happen in 3rd gear, sometimes it'll happen in 2nd. Keep in mind this is usually at the top end of the gear when I'm doing a pull and really winding the car out. Wtf.... Am I crazy? Does this sound like a clutch issue or no? I really want it not to be but if its not I'm not sure I want to know what it actually is.. Again its at high rpm's and its a quick few shudders usually in 3rd gear and sometimes 2nd, but its not a constant slipping like we experience on the stock clutches.

I was hoping someone could possibly help me out here...

Here are some ideas on other things it could be.

-I go to school in Ohio so I am frequently driving on trips back to Chicago at a constant 70+ mph. I think I read somewhere that this could be relevant.
-Spark plugs may need to be changed, can't remember last time I did but I have a shitty memory.
-Intake filter REALLY needs cleaning, probably going to do that tomorrow or next week.

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Old thread I know but I just came back to this thread to see if anyone new posted about this clutch since I just ordered one (for $368!!). To answer Das Auto's question, that sounds like diverter valve. I had the same symptom at stage one and swapped my diverter valve to a Rev D piston style and the issue went away.

I would not install it at higher mileage. It will literally eat your PP and Flywheel faster, I've seen it happen with high mileage. The drop in is an inexpensive route IF you have newer components. If not, they you should either go with a new PP and Flywheel or look at a whole clutch solution at that point. If you install the drop in disc now, you will get 20-30K miles out of it before you will start having trouble shifting into gear as the clutch will start hanging and get sticky.

Just ordered the NLS 02Q shims and the drop in disk. Once I get them installed Ill finally be able to get a tune. My gf destroyed my stock clutch when I taught her how to drive a manual. It feels really weak and I don't want to get a tune until I get it replaced.

mamock116 said:

My gf destroyed my stock clutch when I taught her how to drive a manual.

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What did we learn??

leiito said:

What did we learn??

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Female's are hard to teach. Her problem was that she wouldnt let off the gas at all when shifting. She does much better now.

HYDE16 said:

I would not install it at higher mileage. It will literally eat your PP and Flywheel faster, I've seen it happen with high mileage. The drop in is an inexpensive route IF you have newer components. If not, they you should either go with a new PP and Flywheel or look at a whole clutch solution at that point. If you install the drop in disc now, you will get 20-30K miles out of it before you will start having trouble shifting into gear as the clutch will start hanging and get sticky.

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I haven't heard of any issues at higher mileage. I'm at 87k right now and slipping and plan on doing the drop-in instead because I don't plan on going to a larger turbo.

handisnacks said:

I haven't heard of any issues at higher mileage. I'm at 87k right now and slipping and plan on doing the drop-in instead because I don't plan on going to a larger turbo.

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If you install this clutch disc on a DMF with 87K miles you're asking for problems in year 1.

Waking up an ancient thread, I know. Also, my post will probably won't have any value because I don't think there are many very low mileage mk6 gti owners out there looking into these clutches, but here goes nothing.

After owning my car for almost 7 year and not driving it much (21000 kms). I have decided to get a downpipe and go for stage 2 to freshen up a bit. Clutch started slipping almost immediately as expected.

So I booked an appointment with my mechanic and installed the drop-in clutch (SD-TSI-OFE). My mechanic told me, he has not installed the drop-in clutch before. Honestly, I was a bit surprised. They are very reputable VAG specialists in my area, so I was confident they could do the job with no issues.

After, reading everything on the internets about this clutch and mixed opinions about drivability complaints in heavy traffic and the mysterious pp reset from other drop-in owner. I was nervous and mentality ready to have a ruined car experience when I arrived at the stop to pick up my car.

I have asked the mechanic how the test drive went. He said it was good, it has more bite and it will judder a bit until it beds. He also added, this is the best setup for my circumstances, so props to you guys.

Anyways, I left the shop and started the car and listened, no chatter whatsoever. Got out of the car, rested my head near the wheel, no noise that does sound out of place to me. Got back in the car, put it in reverse and pulled back, engagement felt quite close to oem, if not oem. Put it in 1st same oem like feeling, no shudder at all. Clutch pedal feels same, bite feels identical if not the same. How was this possible? Did the shop accidently put the old clutch back in, lol?

I am at 60 kms with the new clutch and with my usage break-in will take a lot of time. I have to go out and drive my car after dinner everyday, if I want to go to stage 2 in the next couple of months . Good thing, I got the diesel geek short shifter installed at the same time, so my ride is a lot more enjoyable. I will go back to stage 2 after 700kms, finger crossed, it will hold stage 2 from stratified.

Sorry for the long post but I had to take this off my chest. I don't have any car enthusiast friends that understands the troubles of a human being who just modified their car

TL;DR -> Late to the game, drop-in feels oem.

A_Bowers said:

It really is like having the car tuned again. It amazed me how much power I was losing on the OEM clutch.

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How long did this drop in late you? I'm looking at putting one in right now. Smf scare me I don't want to deal with possible crank walk. Il be buying a new OEM clutch kit and this drop in disc and new flywheel as my flywheel now is toast. I just don't want to have to do it all again.