Should I get a spec Clutch?

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try2catchmy99

New Member

Apr 23, 2003

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Fort Worth, Texas

May 4, 2004

#1

• May 4, 2004

• #1

What clutch should I buy? I was going to buy a spec II, any problems with them?
Thanks

 

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Phoenix00GT

New Member

Apr 26, 2004

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Bay Area, CA

May 4, 2004

#2

• May 4, 2004

• #2

I believe that the spec stage II is only if you are pushing more than 400hp at the flywheel. You could probably do just fine with the spec stage I.

I have been wondering what people think about the Spec vs. King Cobra?

 

Tylerb59

Banned

Mar 7, 2003

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Arlington, WA

May 4, 2004

#3

• May 4, 2004

• #3

I had a Spec Stage III in my 99, only complaint is a slight chatter. But thats what you get when you have such an aggressive clutch.

It sure grabbed great while power shifting though.

 

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try2catchmy99

New Member

Apr 23, 2003

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Fort Worth, Texas

May 4, 2004

#4

• May 4, 2004

• #4

Well I will be installing nitrous in the near future so I want a clutch that will hold
yeah I heard that the TOB made a lot of noise, how bad is it?

 

DeadLurker

Daily Driven

Sep 7, 2001

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New York

May 4, 2004

#5

• May 4, 2004

• #5

My TOB went out on my Spec Stage II after two months...Spec wanted me to replace it with another POS TOB from them...I decided not to go that route and just replace it with a D&D TOB instead to avoid more hassle even thought the replacing of the TOB costed just as much as the clutch install.

Spec

 

JonJon

Founding Member

Aug 16, 2002

4,801

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back in Marylands

May 4, 2004

#6

• May 4, 2004

• #6

DeadLurker said:

My TOB went out on my Spec Stage II after two months...Spec wanted me to replace it with another POS TOB from them...I decided not to go that route and just replace it with a D&D TOB instead to avoid more hassle even thought the replacing of the TOB costed just as much as the clutch install.

Spec

Click to expand...

What clutch would you go with then? I was thinking of getting the Stage 1 when mine dies...

 

DeadLurker

Daily Driven

Sep 7, 2001

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New York

May 4, 2004

#7

• May 4, 2004

• #7

JonJon said:

What clutch would you go with then? I was thinking of getting the Stage 1 when mine dies...

Click to expand...

I dunno...but based on my personal experience and others with spec clutchs it really seems to be hit or miss in terms of problems with their clutch.

 

Tylerb59

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Mar 7, 2003

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Arlington, WA

May 4, 2004

#8

• May 4, 2004

• #8

Side by side the SPEC TOB looks "puny" and is made of plastic, compared to the bulkier (made of metal ... aluminum?) OEM TB. Just before I traded in my 99 for the 02, it was starting to act up again (which was the original purpose of me swapping out my clutch) after a month or two. Fortunately its a $20 part from Ford.

I have some pictures on my website, but it's currently down. Had some pictures of the whole install process actually. Comparing stock vs aftermarket.

I'll post them here later.

 

Tylerb59

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Mar 7, 2003

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May 4, 2004

#9

• May 4, 2004

• #9

Ok, here is the Stage III / Aluminum flywheel and the bearing comparison:

 

JonJon

Founding Member

Aug 16, 2002

4,801

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back in Marylands

May 4, 2004

#10

• May 4, 2004

• #10

Tylerb59 said:

Ok, here is the Stage III / Aluminum flywheel and the bearing comparison:

Click to expand...

So you recommend just buying the heavier duty $20 Ford one?

 

Tylerb59

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Mar 7, 2003

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Arlington, WA

May 4, 2004

#11

• May 4, 2004

• #11

Yep.

The pilot bearing they provide is sufficient, in fact the Ford OEM is nearly identical if it isn't already the same thing.

I was told about the SPEC TOB being pretty weak and when I pulled out my old stock TOB and compared the two I saw immediately they weren't joking. SPEC makes a quality product, but just comparing the two I'd lean more towards buying another OEM TOB.

Although I don't anticipate buying a flywheel / clutch for my '02 anytime soon, I'll most likely be returning to the same setup when I reach 60k in the current vehicle.

 

SonicB

Founding Member

Apr 29, 2002

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May 4, 2004

#12

• May 4, 2004

• #12

i'm going with mm's.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/clutchpackages.asp

 

Tylerb59

Banned

Mar 7, 2003

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May 4, 2004

#13

• May 4, 2004

• #13

( Oh and the picture of the OEM TOB was worn to crap, a bit dirty ... bent all over and squealing like a mofo, just comparing the thickness of the two, not the actual condition. )

 

StangLou

Active Member

Jul 9, 2003

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Holly Springs, NC

May 5, 2004

#14

• May 5, 2004

• #14

Spec is in my book. Ive got a Spec Stage II. Although I do agree with the TOB crap. My stock one was whisltling with only 12,000 miles on it. This one from Spec is actually more noticable. Spec actually said their clutch only needs around a 500 mile break in but the TOB needs a 2000+ mile break in . Shop Im with has had no luck with any TOB from any brand. In one of their project cars they have had 3 or 4 different TOBs, all make one heck of a racket. As for the clutch though, 2nd best mod Ive done to the car. Gears and a chip were #1 . The thing bites really hard now and isnt all mushy feeling like my stock one was.

 

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wytlytning

Founding Member

Dec 15, 2000

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May 5, 2004

#15

• May 5, 2004

• #15

try2catchmy99 said:

What clutch should I buy? I was going to buy a spec II, any problems with them?
Thanks

Click to expand...

DO NOT BUT A SPEC CLUTCH.
These things are garbage.

My stage 1 TOB squeaks
The pedal vibrates and makes noise
The clutch burns too easily

It was installed by Ford...I know the mechanic
and he is a clutch/tranny expert.

I received a different answer about these problems every time I called SPEC.

Yes, I gave it 1000 EASY miles for the break-in.

From what I've read on this board, many have had the same problems. Kinda sounds like it's hit or miss with these clutches.
I missed...why take a chance? Buy something else.

 

Slider

Founding Member

May 19, 2000

729

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Gainesville, FL

May 5, 2004

#16

• May 5, 2004

• #16

I have a SPEC stage 2, and it works great for me.

However, as others have said the SPEC T/O bearing is pure crap. I made the mistake of putting it on, and it started squeaking with in a few months. That sucks because you have to drop the whole damn tranny to replace. I have just let the damn thing squeak for the past 8 months (some days are better then others). When I get around to buying an aluminum flywheel I will put in a OEM T/O bearing.

 

Mr GT 02

New Member

Apr 8, 2004

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Peabody, MA

May 5, 2004

#17

• May 5, 2004

• #17

Save your self Time and money...do not buy SPEC...

 

kj99

Founding Member

Sep 2, 1999

346

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Spartanburg SC

May 5, 2004

#18

• May 5, 2004

• #18

Ok, how about a king cobra clutch kit. My stock clutch is making some really bad noises lately, and I need to get one pretty soon

king cobra..or...ford racing clutch

 

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Phoenix00GT

New Member

Apr 26, 2004

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Bay Area, CA

May 5, 2004

#19

• May 5, 2004

• #19

What about the king cobra clutch?

 

steedastang99

New Member

Mar 20, 2003

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May 5, 2004

#20

• May 5, 2004

• #20

I've got Spec stage 1 with over 15k miles on it. I love it grabs like an SOB. It does have a little chatter and it took about 1000 miles to fully break in. One of my favorite mods.