Spec Stage 1 clutch?

MustangMulch · Jun 8, 2004

Right now I have a King Cobra clutch, and it's on its way out. My plan is to order the spec stage 1 clutch. I've always heard good things about spec clutches and this one sounds like the right clutch for me. Would I be better off with the stage 1 or stage 2? As you can see, right now I'm not putting much power to the ground, but in the future i plan on making about 300 rwhp. Will the stage 1 hold up at that point?

Also, how much stiffer is the spec clutch than the king cobra? Is it more or less stiff? I'm also open to suggestions of other clutches, but please let me know quick cuz I need to order this clutch today! Thanks.

proxses · Jun 8, 2004

I would opt for the stage 2. It will hold for just about any future mods. So you don't have to get another clutch.
I think the effort is less than the King Cobra, but I have always run SPEC clutchs. Nothing else.

stangman 50 · Jun 8, 2004

i have athe spec stage 2 and i love it.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Jun 8, 2004

Hey MustangMulch, how many miles did you get out of your KC? I'm driving the hell out of mine, just wondering when i should expect things to go south. I'm also thinking about a Stage 2 when the time comes. I'm all for overbuilding the drivetrain.

5.0 HOtrain · Jun 8, 2004

Go for the stageII if mods are in the future for 300ish rwhp. I had one with the 302 and loved it. Now run the stageIII with the 418, a little touchy on the street the little I got to run it before the starter fried, but liveable.
mike.

stangbear427 · Jun 8, 2004

Stage I is plenty, it's rated by SPEC for 400HP at the wheels. I've been slamming 300 to mine daily with no troubles. I was told by SPEC themselves that having a stronger clutch than you need causes more harm than good. In the unlikely event that you do end up with over 400, you can always change up just the disc- the pressure plate is exactly the same for stages I-III. I also had a KC, which had a heavier pedal than my SPEC by a long shot. There are many other factors involved in getting a light pedal feel though- different people have different experiences with them. Don't forget to resurface your flywheel! Good luck

88stangmangt · Jun 8, 2004

running a stage III here with my new combo. the extra insurance that i wont blow a clutch is worth puting some ass into the pedal.

MustangMulch · Jun 8, 2004

Well I ordered the Stage 1 for $189 from JDSperformance. Does anyone know why the spec clutches cost so much less than others, like the centerforce d/f? The cheapest i've seen that one is $220, and most places sell it for around $289.

Anyway, i ordered the stage 1 because I saw this chart on SPEC's website:

stage 1 - 410 ft lbs tq capacity
stage 2 - 520 ft lbs tq capacity
stage 3 - 680 ft lbs tq capacity
stage 4 - 680 ft lbs tq capacity
stage 5 - 1100 ft lbs tq capacity

The stage 1 seems like plenty for around 300 rwhp and 325 rwtq, and besides I won't be making that much power for a while. My King Cobra started going out recently between 45k and 50k miles. The weird part is the pedal was never too stiff, but when I put in a new cable and quadrant, it became a hell of a lot stiffer, and it feels way different. I'm hoping the new clutch will make it feel nice again, stop squealing and go in and out of gear easier.

stangbear427 · Jun 8, 2004

MustangMulch said:
The weird part is the pedal was never too stiff, but when I put in a new cable and quadrant, it became a hell of a lot stiffer, and it feels way different. I'm hoping the new clutch will make it feel nice again, stop squealing and go in and out of gear easier.

This new cable and quadrant, did they replace your stock parts?

MustangMulch · Jun 8, 2004

stangbear427 said:
This new cable and quadrant, did they replace your stock parts?

Yeah I originally intended to only put in a firewall adjuster, but I busted the plastic piece on the end of the stock clutch cable, so I got an aluminum quadrant and adjustable cable from the same place. I didn't want to get an adjustable cable, but I called the Ford dealer and they wanted $157 for a stock cable. Could it be the cable that feels so different from the stock one?

90_Red_LX · Jun 8, 2004

Just reuse your stock cable man. And go with the stage 5 just to be safe. . Man I wonder how hard it is to push one down.

MustangMulch · Jun 8, 2004

I can't reuse my stock cable. The plastic piece that goes into the firewall busted off. That's why I had to get an adjustable cable. I'd rather have a new stock cable, but they cost way more than an adjustable one.

bmo37 · Jun 8, 2004

MustangMulch said:
Well I ordered the Stage 1 for $189 from JDSperformance. Does anyone know why the spec clutches cost so much less than others, like the centerforce d/f? The cheapest i've seen that one is $220, and most places sell it for around $289.

Anyway, i ordered the stage 1 because I saw this chart on SPEC's website:

stage 1 - 410 ft lbs tq capacity
stage 2 - 520 ft lbs tq capacity
stage 3 - 680 ft lbs tq capacity
stage 4 - 680 ft lbs tq capacity
stage 5 - 1100 ft lbs tq capacity

The stage 1 seems like plenty for around 300 rwhp and 325 rwtq, and besides I won't be making that much power for a while. My King Cobra started going out recently between 45k and 50k miles. The weird part is the pedal was never too stiff, but when I put in a new cable and quadrant, it became a hell of a lot stiffer, and it feels way different. I'm hoping the new clutch will make it feel nice again, stop squealing and go in and out of gear easier.

I've been dealing lately with http://www.coolblueperformance.com and they've been pretty good. They offer free shipping bought my stage 3 from them for $302 shipped.

For me it was either a centerforce df or a stage 3 and it came down to price. I haven't seen it go for less than $330 and you have to buy the throwout bearing for another 50 bux, so $380 for a clutch that holds up to 90% more over stock so that means about 430hp. where as the stage 3 spec was 302 and holds 680hp

as far as the adjustable cable goes its really a quality issue. Fords oem cable is actually really good, and they know it so they try squeezing your wallet the best they can. the aftermarket adjustable just aren't as good.

MustangMulch · Jun 8, 2004

I know they aren't as good, but why would a different cable make the pedal so much stiffer, and feel way different?

95BLBLVert · Jun 8, 2004

Everyone! Read the fine print! SPEC publishes torque numbers not hp! 680 lb/ft not hp.

Just for clarity. At any rate, the hp numbers will be close to the torque ratings.

95BLBLVert · Jun 8, 2004

sorry, double post.

Anyhow, as far as your question on the clutch cable, sometimes if you do not route them correctly, bind will be the result. This translates into a "harder than normal" feeling pedal.

04sleeper · Jun 8, 2004

MustangMulch said:
I know they aren't as good, but why would a different cable make the pedal so much stiffer, and feel way different?

Cheaper materials. (i.e. inner of cable not teflon lined) Also you should grease the cable from both ends liberally. Just keep working the cable back and forth to work the grease down there. It helps like night and day!
Also if you are going to get a factory cable I recomend getting one from Jegs. It is called a Clutch Linkage Upgrade kit. Part # 397-M-7553-A302. It comes with a new "Factory" Cable and new clutch fork. It's only $62.99.
go here http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=3221&prmenbr=361

stangbear427 · Jun 8, 2004

Could it be the cable that feels so different from the stock one?

Possibly. More likely, it's because you are used to the stock quadrant. Of all the aftermarket billet ones, the MM one is the only one I know of that comes with shims to positively locate it on the shaft and keep it centered where it belongs. However, you can accomplish the same thing with any billet quadrant by adding a few washers to do the same job. Believe it or not, this dramatically changes the pedal effort.

stangbear427 · Jun 8, 2004

95BLBLVert said:
Everyone! Read the fine print! SPEC publishes torque numbers not hp! 680 lb/ft not hp.

Just for clarity. At any rate, the hp numbers will be close to the torque ratings.

True, and true. However, torque isn't any less abusive to the drivetrain than horsepower is, and furthurmore, Mustangs as a rule have more peak torque than horsepower. It isn't fine print, as if they are trying to pull the wool over our eyes- they rated it by the most relevent factor.

MustangMulch · Jun 8, 2004

stangbear427 said:
Possibly. More likely, it's because you are used to the stock quadrant. Of all the aftermarket billet ones, the MM one is the only one I know of that comes with shims to positively locate it on the shaft and keep it centered where it belongs. However, you can accomplish the same thing with any billet quadrant by adding a few washers to do the same job. Believe it or not, this dramatically changes the pedal effort.

Well after the installation of the new cable i called the guy at D&D Motorsport (where i bought the stuff from) and he told me that their quadrant has the exact same geometry as the stock quadrant, so he didn't know why the pedal would feel stiffer. I'm not sure how much this guy actually knows, but what I do know is that the clutch feels totally different, and I don't like it one bit. I hope the new clutch changes the feel.

Spec Stage 1 clutch?

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