Hydraulic Upgrade

4x4dually said:
I have some more info on this subject that I'd like to share with you guys that are needing to buy a unit and want to make the right choice the first time like I do. However, I don't want to step on anyones toe or start a crap tossing match on the internet. I firmly now believe the South Bend unit is the superior product. One of the problems a while back was that the master would pull away from the firewall. This is cured by a new bracket that comes with the kit. Another difference is the SB has a continuous braided line from master to slave instead of a partial braided line with a coupler in the middle that converts the lower half to plastic line. Great spot for a leak IMO. These are among the serveral things I discussed with a reliable source and there is more, but like I said, no crap throwing today. I'm at my limit with forums and rules and being told to "support the paying vendors" and yada yada yada on other websites. :D Enjoy the info. PM me for more if you like.
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If you look the pictures on the southbend website the assembly is a two piece. im not looking to start a p*****g match, i just want to know what the differece is. The southbend and valairs assemblys look the same to me. Also interesting on the valair website you can see a chrysler part tag on the assembly. Makes me wonder if the part can be purchased at a local dealership for cheaper? Anybody have any ideas?
 
A well known pulling shop told the slave off a 97 will work fine, but the kits don't need to be bled. I got the SBC from Piers for $200, but that was a while back
 
ALright, you asked for it....

From what I have been told....not saying with 100% certainty, but from a reliable source....and I wouldn't consider it a pi**in' match as long as we are trying to base posts on facts and what we believe it true and not slammin' someone for no reason or becasue Joe-Blow says it is better.

The company that "designed" the kit contacted the OEM that makes the original parts for mopar. Due to the large quantity they would be able to move, the OEM agree to supply the parts to the aftermarket world through distribution. The parts on both kits to my knowledge are both OEM masters and slaves. The adjustablility was added by SB and done with a machined, one piece adjuster piece (haven't seen it yet so I don't even know what it looks like). They also later changed the design from the braided line to a coupler to plastic line to a one piece start-to-end braided line to reduce the chance of leaks. Then, the problem was found that some were pushing the master out away from the firewall and now they supply a new mounting bracket with it (haven't seen it yet either so new being "same as the old" or a "newly improved" one is up in the air.

The other side of the story. A second company (cough...val...cough) figured out how to get their hands on the parts from an intermediate tier of distrubution and began to make their own kits from the same OEM master and slaves as the "designing" company. I have been told they use a cut and welded piece for the adjuster and not a solid machined piece. Also, a braided line to plastic line is supplied and no mention of a new bracket.

I also composed a PM to the "other company" and asked if they could "Can you give me any pros vs. cons on your hydraulic clutch upgrade kit for a 2002 Dodge 6 speed as complared to the South Bend equivalent?" My reply was "ours is actually a O.E.M. 97 model hydraulic's with an adjustable modified rod to work in your truck, it also has a steel braided line to the slave". No mention of the coupler.

I commend Val for seeing a market and going after it...that is what makes the USA great.

I would be nice if someone with either or both systems on a truck could post up if the statements I have typed are in fact true so I don't miss-lead anyone.

Both system are the same OEM on each end. It is just the little things that are different. I have found both sytems for the same price so it's up to you. :D
 
hyd upgrade

4x4dually said:
Check that. Best price right now it $250 plus shipping.
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$250 shipped last week when i ordered a unit for a clutch job i done for a buddy that bought a kenny's pulling clutch.
 
our rods are a machined billet nothing is welded

Like said above we use a stock 97 system and manufacture a billet machined rod our systems have a coupler and steel braided line on bottom our systems are made by the same company that produces the factory unit we do not weld anything
 
Whats the benefit of upgrading the hydraulics? Mainly for Pullin/racing or is there good benefit on a daily driver/tow rig?
 
hyd upgrade

when you get into the higher pressure plate loads the upgrade is a good idea.
 
i have a 2002 6speed and im sure the hydralics(stock) are out its really hard to get into gear you have to push it very hard and for a dual disk its very quiet compared to all the ones ive heard and sometimes it grinds i have a sbc 3850 dd 12cb do you guys think this is the problem every once in awhile it shifts like it should then its back to shoving it into gear.
 
that is about what mine is doing, one day it shifts good, then the next day can't hardly find a gear, its not grind them to find them, its look around and see what will go in, with out using a foot to push the shifter. lol. I think I have problems with something.

Also any prices, or info on where to get the best deal, shoot me a pm with that. Thanks.
 
southbends has a very nice unit to install and its not that hard to put in. mine was 300 bucks for my dually i had.
 
I think I'll order one and give you guys some feedback as to whether it fixes the problem.

"one day it shifts good, then the next day can't hardly find a gear, its not grind them to find them, its look around and see what will go in, with out using a foot to push the shifter"

You couldn't have described my truck any better if you would have driven it for 50K. :D
 
well i played mine alittle last night if i push the clutch in really slow it works alot better but im not gonna put up with that if i was to get the upgrade and i am i would by the valiar upgrade its a better unit than the sbc one
 
4x4dually said:
I think I'll order one and give you guys some feedback as to whether it fixes the problem.

"one day it shifts good, then the next day can't hardly find a gear, its not grind them to find them, its look around and see what will go in, with out using a foot to push the shifter"

You couldn't have described my truck any better if you would have driven it for 50K. :D
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Are you sure the pilot bearing is ok?
 
kjpcummins said:
i have a 2002 6speed and im sure the hydralics(stock) are out its really hard to get into gear you have to push it very hard and for a dual disk its very quiet compared to all the ones ive heard and sometimes it grinds i have a sbc 3850 dd 12cb do you guys think this is the problem every once in awhile it shifts like it should then its back to shoving it into gear.
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My SB DD started acting up and I had thought it was the hydraulics. I had problems shifting - sometimes it would shift easy and other times I had to force it into gear. Turns out one of the levers on the pressure plate failed and it was not the hydraulics. Call Peter and tell him what its doing and he'll know what your problem is.
 
i talked with peter a couple days ago and he thinks its a lever on the pressure plate but i still want to upgrade the hydraulics anyways he wants to have me pull the tranny back and see if a lever is broke but i cant really have any downtime with the truck and i doubt he will send me a new pressure plate before i pull the tranny back incase a lever is broke then send him the broke one back ill have to call him tomarrow and see what he will do
 
I am going to try a hydrualic upgrade on mine and see what happens, might just put a built automatic in next, lol.
 
kjpcummins said:
i talked with peter a couple days ago and he thinks its a lever on the pressure plate but i still want to upgrade the hydraulics anyways he wants to have me pull the tranny back and see if a lever is broke but i cant really have any downtime with the truck and i doubt he will send me a new pressure plate before i pull the tranny back incase a lever is broke then send him the broke one back ill have to call him tomarrow and see what he will do
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My problem was a lever on the pressure plate. He sent me one without me checking first.
 
kjpcummins said:
well i played mine alittle last night if i push the clutch in really slow it works alot better but im not gonna put up with that if i was to get the upgrade and i am i would by the valiar upgrade its a better unit than the sbc one
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Can you please explain why? I really would like to know the reason you think so I can make my choice based on facts.
 
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