The Clutchmasters vs. South Bend clutch FACTS:

WARNING:  This is an image (and fact) intensive page!

We reserved judgment on the South Bend Clutch, because quite frankly, we never heard of "South Bend Clutch."   Needless-to-say, we were a little perturbed after hearing claims made by South Bend clutch claiming that "The SB TZ-series is the SAME AS the Clutchmasters Stage III."  This is blatently FALSE, and we know because we actually bought the SB pressure plate and tested it.

Below is the receipt for the Probe "DXD" pressure plate.  We cross referenced the part number off the SB website and part number CA 638 is indeed the Probe v6 pressure plate.  

Below is a pic of the South Bend "DXD" pressure plate (model "638 DXD" as indicated on the receipt above), next to a Clutchmasters Stage I / Stage III pressure plate (CM St I and St III plates are the same).

Not sure why we were sent a DXD pressure plate, we actually asked for the pressure plate that comes with the TZ series kit -- HOWEVER, the DXD is actually SB's highest end "premier high performance" pressure plate that according to their website is advertised as:

"DXD Series: his is our premier high performance line. Each DXD kit contains a modified high performance pressure plate",

OK, now for the kicker, here is a picture of the South Bend "DXD" on an ultra precise top of the line Shepard-Thomason load testing machine....   A stock pressure plate is rated at about 1100 lbs, the South Bend tested at a grand total of....   1116lbs!! 

And now for the Clutchmasters pressure plate.....  Can you say 1657 lbs!!!  I should mention that Clutchmasters achieves this load without ANY added pedal effort!

Still have questions? email Rafi (Rafi@RR-Racing.com)