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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Spec Stage 1 Clutch Opinions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rust Bucket
  • Start date Start date Jul 11, 2014
R

Rust Bucket

New Member
Jul 5, 2013
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Jul 11, 2014
#1
  • Jul 11, 2014
  • #1
Anyone out there with an opinion on the spec stage 1 clutches chime in. Experience with them is a plus.
 

f8tlfiveo

My wife likes my spool and blow-off valve.
Aug 8, 2007
1,585
102
64
Lancaster, PA
Jul 11, 2014
#2
  • Jul 11, 2014
  • #2
I had stage 2 in my car, drove pretty nice, nothing radical
 

flstang65

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2007
1,484
135
94
SE Georgia
Jul 11, 2014
#3
  • Jul 11, 2014
  • #3
Took it out in 2 weeks. Went with a Ford Racing (like a should have done in the beginning).
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
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Acworth, GA
Jul 11, 2014
#4
  • Jul 11, 2014
  • #4
We are putting one in the Cobra in a few weeks. I can tell you then. We are a SPEC dealer now, but I have never personally used anything less than a SPEC 3.

Kurt
 

Chuckman

GTFO you fat, heavy bastard
15 Year Member
Oct 21, 2005
1,604
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st. louis, mo
Jul 11, 2014
#5
  • Jul 11, 2014
  • #5
i had a stage 1 in mine, was a massive pain in the leg (seriously, if i drove the thing in traffic too long, my left leg and foot would be a bit sore). was also very on/off with not much slip.

i hear the stage 2 and stage 3 are better, more driveable clutches, but never had one. the stage1 i had stayed in the car about 2 years until the motor came out and i replaced it with an frpp king cobra, lots fewer complaints with that one.
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,644
214
46
Acworth, GA
Jul 11, 2014
#6
  • Jul 11, 2014
  • #6
The SPEC 1 through 4 all have the same pressure plate. Pedal effort should be the same on all of them. We are replacing the King Cobra that is in there with the Spec 1 because the King Cobra is made by another company now and I don't trust the quality. Mcleod and Ram also made good quality clutches. Fidanza is Chinese junk.

Kurt
 
R

Rust Bucket

New Member
Jul 5, 2013
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Jul 11, 2014
#7
  • Jul 11, 2014
  • #7
My opinion now. I installed a spec stage 1 about three yrs ago. Worst clutch Ever. From the first time out until now it shudders like an earthquake. Unless I pull this and find that it's contaminated with oil or grease, never again.

I only wanted a small improvement over the stock clutch. What I got was a clutch with all the driveability of a Sherman tank. There are times where it shudders so bad that I'm sure people on the sidewalk feel it.

My god i've used some full on race clutches with solid hubs in the past. Purpose built drag cars that had better engagement feel.

I'm absolutely certain it was installed correctly. I'm a transmission tech with ford so I get a lot of practice.

I have read that they need some break in time! Well the car is not driven a lot, but certainly enough that this should not be an issue. Absolutely stock car no mods of any type.

I'd like to change it, but customers cars come first. I'll give ya this it does not slip.
 

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
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Birmingham, al
m.imdb.com
Jul 11, 2014
#8
  • Jul 11, 2014
  • #8
I put a spec stage 1 in the 03 Cobra I had for a minute last summer. Since Spec is here in Bham, I went down there to get it. Before I bought it, I had them tune the pressure plate to decrease some of the leg effort required to disengage, It was still a little stiff for me. I personally like the Centerforce dual friction that was in the red car. Pedal effort like a Honda, rated to like 350 ft lbs tq.
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,644
214
46
Acworth, GA
Jul 11, 2014
#9
  • Jul 11, 2014
  • #9
I had a Centerforce. It disintegrated on the second pass in the car.

Kurt
 
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