Help me decide, SPEC Stage I or II?

i cant really help you with the clutch thing but my friends say i drive my car like a grandmother so we must drive similar...



Anthony

I would go big just in case more mods are coming. Spec Stage II for sure. I have the Stage III and I like it. Be sure you break it in correctly or you will have problems. Spec claims about 400 easy miles.

I asked the same question over a year ago and didn't get much help either. I had a Centerforce that needed replacing. I was faced with the same decision. Are you going to resurface the flywheel or replace it? To replace it is about $100+-. If you are on a budget, that might make the choice for you. I went with SPEC II and have not regretted it. But I think with the II, a clutch quadrant and a fire wall adjuster is advisable which is more money... That being said, if $$ is not an issue, I would choose the II (just in case more horse power just happened to appear some time down the road!! ) Hope this helps.

I ordered my Spec Stage 1 Should have it on tuesday

SuperSync said:

...But, Stage I or Stage II? Does the difference in construction really merit the extra $100? The car will not make more than 325RWHP even when I do my H/C/I swap this year, and is mostly daily-driven now; so wouldn't a Stage I be enough? (car has seen no track time, but I'd like to run a few times this year)

Any thoughts appreciated!

SS

edit: what about the flywheel situation, I'm sure it's original w/92K on it, should I just get it turned or stick a SPEC steel/aluminum unit in there?

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I have the SPEC stage I complete with the billet steel flywheel, and I love it. SPEC cut me a deal for getting the package, came to just under $400 for everything. They were very adament with me that the only difference between stages I,II, and III is the disc itself, and that stage I is conservatively rated at 400HP. In the event that you build your engine to put out more than that, you can send the whole package back to SPEC and they will upgrade your disc to the stage you need for only the cost of the disc. At the same time they will check over the pressure plate and flywheel for wear and damage, make sure it is still up to spec (haha) and rebalance it all together at no additional charge. How can you beat that? Also, the billet steel flywheel is an awsome peice. You can get it with an adjustable counterbalance so you could still use it on a 351 based engine, and the friction surface is replaceable so you never have to have it re-ground you just bolt on a new surface and it's a brand new flywheel again. Their advise to me was to NOT get a higher stage clutch than I absolutely needed, and that driving a 300HP car with a stage II or III disc is actually worse than having the stage I which is all you need; even if you are going to be pumping up the power later your best off with the right one in the meantime. It's one instance where overkilling isn't the best idea. So, if you aren't planning on having more than 325HP ever, you definately shouldn't go higher than stage I unless you are going to be powershifting the daylights out of it and racing it hard a lot.

I wouldn't waste your time with a SPEC I. Remember, the horsepower figures that they rate the clutches to, are measured at the flywheel, not the wheels. With a decent HCI combo, your car will be generating more than 325 FWHP. I would get the SPEC II. About the flywheel, I would buy an OE from Ford. Unless your going to get serious about racing your car, I don't see the point in getting an aluminum jobber on a street car. Some people are going to tell you to machine the flywheel, but I think it is a waste. You have to pull the trans, go take the flywheel somewhere, get it machined, bring it back and hook everything up...it's a pain in the ass. Buy a new one. I think mine from Ford cost 50-some bucks.

Joe

I have my Spec II waiting for install. I think its a great intermediate clutch. Ive heard great things about them. I got mine from Joe (not Vib) he has a Mustang Online Store and he gave me a great deal on it, and im sure he will do the same for you. Look at my sig for his site, and email him. Tell him I referred you.