Is it worth getting a King Cobra clutch for a stock engine?

88 Fox GT

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Just as the title asks. I found a King Cobra clutch kit for $170. I definitely am in need of a new clutch, but is it worth paying the extra little bit for the King Cobra? What benefits do I get besides the advertised 10% less pedal effort?

http://mustangtuning.com/kingcobra.html

 

Greenfive-oh8

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#2

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I got one, i have a relatively stock motor, I like it, it is easier on your leg, i got one because i thought my clutch was out and was the reason i had to grind in order to get into first and reverese, turns out i just needed a clutch cable/quadrant there goes 800 dollers

 

jrichker

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#3

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Speed_Demon1965 said:

Just as the title asks. I found a King Cobra clutch kit for $170. I definitely am in need of a new clutch, but is it worth paying the extra little bit for the King Cobra? What benefits do I get besides the advertised 10% less pedal effort?

http://mustangtuning.com/kingcobra.html

Click to expand...

Excellent choice for a stock or mildy modded engine. It holds more power and doesn't slip. It has just enough give to prevent you from quickly destorying your T5 if you don't abuse it a lot.

 

5spd GT

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#4

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You get more holding power (allows you to add more power without slipping) and it is a lighter pedal than a FMS HD for sure. I had one...nice clutch!

 

Grn92LX

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#5

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Nice choice for a bolt on driver! Good price too. Its a tad less pedal effort than a regular fmd hd clutch. My promotion modified/blueprinted fms hd pressure plate is about the same pedal effort as a king cobra fyi. You don't neec to spend the cash for my clutch though. King cobra is a good choice for you.

 

5spd GT

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#6

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Just pay the extra $10 bucks or whatever (maybe $20) and get the King Cobra over the FMS HD. There is a considerable difference in the pedal effort in the few I have tried in others cars. All consistently the same...they hold the same power. Just a bit more of a cost for the King Cobra that is well worth it unless you like to go thru a workout when you drive your car daily

 

Grn92LX

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I was talking about the promotion modified/blueprinted fms hd press plate NOT the stock fms hd plate. Like I said, the pedal effort is about the same or a hair LESS than a standard king cobra. The promotion modified plate WILL handle more power and rpm over the promotion modified king cobra. (This is from promotion, not my words ) But we're talking the regular press plates, then the main difference is pedal effort. I daily drove a fms hd for over 50k miles and I had a king cobra for a year after than. Slightly less effort, but not that much. This is comming from someone who isn't big at all

 

5spd GT

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Grn92lx - Yes I know. I responding to the first statement of "Its a tad less pedal effort than a regular fmd hd clutch." That is what I responding to.

I'm comparing King Cobra clutch setup and FMS HD setup. Nothing else changed. Both being compared straight of the Ford Motorsport box. Fair comparison that way A quite noticeable difference. Anyone would notice

I'm bigger (6 foot 3 at 205lbs) and I still like pedal effort but not what the FMS HD provides...

 

Grn92LX

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You're a big dude. Does your head hit the roof?

 

5spd GT

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Grn92LX said:

You're a big dude. Does your head hit the roof?

Click to expand...

Surprisingly no it doesn't. Though I do feel tall in it when seated

 

88 Fox GT

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#11

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Alright, sounds like I will go ahead and buy it. I'm sick and tired of my clutch slipping like a bitch, making it accelerate like a 4 cyl. :damnit:

Thanks guys!

 

cleanLX

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#12

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If you're not out launching on stickies at 6000rpm and powershifting the bejeezlus out of it, I'd put a stock replacment in it.

Now, my stock clutch took over 200 hard runs launching anywhere from 5000-6250 depending on track conditions, on dr's and ET Streets , and it sctatched both sets of tires on every shift. The only reason it got replaced was a bad burnout lane director got me on dry pavement and gave me the go sinal... dropping the hammer on ET Streets with 9.5psi in them is not good on clutches.

I say save money and run a stock clutch in it.

 

HISSIN50

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#13

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Stock clutch kits did used to be 100 bucks. Valeo makes good stuff IMHO (OEM for many Italian exotics, etc).

A cobra clutch (not KC) is a slight step up from there.

The KC is a step up from that IMHO. The third is as good as anything. I agree with David choice wise (that was my recollection about the pedal effort differences too).

Good luck.

 

88 Fox GT

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#14

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cleanLX said:

If you're not out launching on stickies at 6000rpm and powershifting the bejeezlus out of it, I'd put a stock replacment in it.

Now, my stock clutch took over 200 hard runs launching anywhere from 5000-6250 depending on track conditions, on dr's and ET Streets , and it sctatched both sets of tires on every shift. The only reason it got replaced was a bad burnout lane director got me on dry pavement and gave me the go sinal... dropping the hammer on ET Streets with 9.5psi in them is not good on clutches.

I say save money and run a stock clutch in it.

Click to expand...

Stock clutch kit cost me $140 when I bought one for the T-5 in my '65.
So, for $30 more, I can have this KC clutch which is a far better clutch with less pedal effort.

 

ram360

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#15

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Speed_Demon1965 said:

So, for $30 more, I can have this KC clutch which is a far better clutch with less pedal effort.

Click to expand...

exactly, go for it. You won't regret it. It's a hard clutch to beat for the price.

 

5spd GT

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#16

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HISSIN50 said:

Stock clutch kits did used to be 100 bucks. Valeo makes good stuff IMHO (OEM for many Italian exotics, etc).

A cobra clutch (not KC) is a slight step up from there.

The KC is a step up from that IMHO. The third is as good as anything. I agree with David choice wise (that was my recollection about the pedal effort differences too).

Good luck.

Click to expand...

Yeah we have similar thoughts on some things

I bought a stock clutch Valeo replacment from Napa for $15x dollars. I could get the King Cobra for $20 bucks more

I have had the regular "cobra" clutch too. I have had 4 different clutches myself and drove several others.

 

Darkwriter77

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#17

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I've got an OEM-style replacement unit in mine (was put in when converted from AOD to T-5) and it's okay, but it doesn't grab as quick as it should when shifting fast/hard. (RPM's don't jump or hover, it just isn't as snappy.) My previous '89 notchback had the HD clutch kit (not the KC) and that thing was a BEAST to try to shift around town. I stated walking with a limp the first week and felt like my left leg was bigger than my right after a couple of months of driving that thing. But it never, ever, EVER gave the slightest hint of slippage or weakness. I'll be putting in a KC in my current '89 notch when it comes time for replacement (probably next year), as I don't miss the freaky bulging calf muscles on one side.