LooseBoltsRob

Hey guys. I just needed to post my comments on my new southbend DD3250 12CB clutch. It has been collecting dust in my garage since December and I finally got around to installing it last week. Other than a pretty heafty pedal, which isn't terrible, just gives a little thigh workout, I LOVE this clutch. I pulled out a SPEC stage 3+ kit that started slipping ever since I went to 34" Toyos and the Smarty Beta 4.4 tune. The SPEC was a little grabby and noisy in neutral w/o clutch engaged. It worked okay for a single disc clutch, but the truck obviously needed more.

Well, the install was very simple other than man handling the NV5600 around. Only one mistake was made...we forgot to pull the washer out from behind the clutch fork pivot ball until the tranny was bolted up and transfer case was almost back on! After correcting that, everything went back together smoothly. Dropped in 6 qts of Redline MTL and MT-90 mix into the shifter opening, bolted up the shifter and went for a drive. WOW, it is smooth. Not as smooth as stock but that's only because the heavier pedal pushing back at my foot. If the pedal was as soft as stock, I'd venture to say it's just as smooth as stock. It is a bit noisy with the clutch depressed (probably the center plate clunking around?) but is quieter than the SPEC with the clutch disengaged in neutral....not something I was expecting. Overall, this is the ultimate clutch for ANY truck with 1000+ ft/lbs.

Can anyone shed some light on the change that the aftermarket hydraulics will provide? Maybe an estimate on reduction of pedal effort? I love how the clutch grabs about 1/2 way up instead of about 1/4 way up like the SPEC, so I really don't need to adjust anything with the aftermarket hydraulics, but would like to consider it if the reduction in effort is a fair amount.

Between Peter's awesome service and a phenominal product, I don't see how you can buy another brand of clutch!

jmccart

Good 4 you. It is a nice piece.

Nsomniac05

your stock hydraulics arent capable of handling a DD pressure plate. especially a SBC. you may run them for a while but eventually they will go bad because of the added force on the system. the bigger hydraulics will not have to work as hard to engage the clutch and as such will be more reliable, and will be easier to depress the pedal.
congrats on the install.

LooseBoltsRob

Actually, Peter said w/ the 3250 the hydraulic upgrade isn't as necessary as it is on the 3600 or 3850. He added that it may or may not reduce pedal pressure as well.

Nsomniac05

well if you allready knew then why did you ask?

Bswope

I love my 3600 with the hydro upgrade, i have the same noise with the clutch depressed, its actually louder when the clutch is depressed than in neutral. I only have about 500 miles on it and the more miles the better this thing gets.

farmboykjb5.9

Hey Bswope did ur 3600 slip bad at first after u put it in.

rip 112

The hydro upgrade changes the ratio to accomodate the heavier plate load. Might not change pedal pressure, but it will be in a better state longer. I would do the hydro upgrade on a DD, its been said to do it on a FE also. I've heard it isn't as necessary to do it on the nv5600, but that's for the FE.

LooseBoltsRob

Just called him yesterday to ask.

nelrod

I have same clutch as you and have upgraded hydraulics, Southbend said I needed them, and I figured I would like upgraded hydraulics to go with a much beefier clutch anyway.

homewrecker

You guys with G-56's don't have a choice.Upgraded hydraulics are a requirement.NV's don't need them with the 3250 and can get by with the stock hdro's for a while with a 3600, but not long.

LooseBoltsRob

So the NV guys can stick with stock hydros permanently with the 3250?

tristan21

I wouldnt. By the way the the upgraded hydrolics are nothing more than a new 2nd gen stock hydrolic setup with the appropriate peices machined to make it work on our trucks. They work just fine for me.

Bswope

Not at all, this thing has been great since the first run!! Course i dont had the mods u do either but it shouldnt slip. Did u line up the paint marks on the flywheel and pressure plate?