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

What type of clutch should I get???

  • Thread starter Thread starter AnthonyR23
  • Start date Start date Apr 13, 2007
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

AnthonyR23

Member
Sep 8, 2006
661
0
16
Ontario
Apr 13, 2007
#1
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #1
Hi.. I have a 88 gt... vert... with a manual transmission... I am going to rebuild my tranny.... but while I'm at it I am going to considering replacing the clutch/and pressure plate.... and put a new flywheel in... Any suggestions about what type would be good to go with... I want something that is heavy duty and that will last... both clutch pressure plate and flywheel... let me know if you have had bad experiences with any of the different types... or good experiences with...Thanks
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Apr 13, 2007
#2
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #2
I'd go with a diaphram style.


Oh, I think you wanted a brand. Not knowing mods, it's tough to guess, but the ubiquitious King Cobra recommendation is always decent.

Good luck.
 

N8Miller

I need NOS....make it 2 of the big ones
Founding Member
Jul 26, 2000
2,661
0
0
45
Kingston, PA, USA
www.cardomain.com
Apr 13, 2007
#3
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #3
SPECs are very nice.... stage 1 for a mostly stock car and a stage 2 for a worked motor, stage 3 for a supercharged car.
 

bullitstang1313

Member
Jan 21, 2003
713
0
16
42
Indianapolis / Columbus, Indiana
Apr 13, 2007
#4
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #4
I have a billet steel flywheel currently and a king cobra clutch. It works fairly well. Going to upgrade to a spec stage three while I'm preparing everything for a turbo though.
 

AnthonyR23

Member
Sep 8, 2006
661
0
16
Ontario
Apr 13, 2007
#5
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #5
Hi guys, thanks for the replies.... I have a pretty much stock motor... with cold air intake... underdrive pulleys... eliminated a/c, and clutch fan.... replaced with mark 8 fan..... bbk equal length headers...... and thats it!!! So far... . I don't really enjoy doing the clutch job... already had to do it and it sucks.... So it depends on what I have done to my motor......?? So if in the future I plan on upgrading to a new upper lower intake... heads.. and cam... can I not get a better clutch now even with a stock motor... Is there a difference with stage 1 2 or 3 for clutch life? and can someone with a stock motor use a stage 3 clutch. Why wouldn't they want to?? What's the difference.... tranny is a t5
 

Turkey Sammich

I can't fap normal. I cracked a rib, then my ankle
Jul 12, 2006
0
59
154
Apr 13, 2007
#6
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #6
If you plan on just doing an H/C/I, I'd say go with KC, or Spec 2, or even CF DF. I've had no issues with my KC and my shop swears by Spec.
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Apr 13, 2007
#7
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #7
Spec Stage III clutches are very on/off style clutches. You have to get used to them, they are either engaged or disengaged practically.

I would go with a King Cobra for longevity, or a Centerforce Stage I (Gold Class). They hold the same amount of power.

I have a Centerforce Stage II with rougly 13,000 miles on it holding up fine. Softest pedal (besides stock which is close) is made by Centerforce. I like soft pedals for lots of stop and go traffic.
 

Fett

New Member
Nov 2, 2004
766
6
0
Apr 13, 2007
#8
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #8
I vote for the KC. I have it in my car, and it seems to be the best of both worlds. My car is my daily driver, I take it to and from work, and all points in between. It holds up strong at the track, where I dog the snot out of my car. Dropping the clutch at 5k with slicks, both on the bottle and off...then drive the car home. The clutch feel is awesome, it isn't too hard like a lot of performance clutches....so it doesn't wear on your leg during normal driving.
 
8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member
Dec 20, 2004
4,265
12
69
B.C. Canada
Apr 13, 2007
#9
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #9
Personally I would rather have my Center Force Dual Friction clutch back then the King Cobra I currently have.
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Apr 14, 2007
#10
  • Apr 14, 2007
  • #10
86bluecobra said:
Personally I would rather have my Center Force Dual Friction clutch back then the King Cobra I currently have.
Click to expand...

I like my CF Stage II better than the KC I used to have as well...both are good solid clutches...
 
D

Daggar

New Member
Jul 19, 2004
3,902
5
0
Apr 14, 2007
#11
  • Apr 14, 2007
  • #11
Shopping thread

--moved to Talk--
 

Grn92LX

Fidanza Man!
Founding Member
Jan 14, 2001
6,819
64
129
New York
Apr 14, 2007
#12
  • Apr 14, 2007
  • #12
I like the mcleod disks with your choice or a motorsport HD pressure plate or a king cobra pressure plate. Just a killer, reliable combo!
 

25thmustang

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
41
Montgomery, NY
Apr 14, 2007
#13
  • Apr 14, 2007
  • #13
I like my FMS HD one. I also attribute it to saving my stock T5. The harder the clutch that you get hits, the harder it will be on the other driveline parts!
 
N

NotchPower

New Member
Feb 18, 2006
18
0
0
39
Clifton, New Jersey
Apr 14, 2007
#14
  • Apr 14, 2007
  • #14
I would never buy a centerforce again I have a Dual Friction and hate it. Im puttin a spec stage three in it as soon as i replace the trans with a tremec
 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,133
18
108
Chicagoland
Apr 14, 2007
#15
  • Apr 14, 2007
  • #15
Here's another vote for the King Cobra. I'm running one, and I'd say the pedal effort is pretty soft and about the same as a stock clutch (maybe slightly stiffer, but hardly noticible). The Centerforce Dual Friction clutch is so soft it almost feels hydraulic, from what I recall. I haven't run one in years, and really have no use for the clamping force it provides. My trans is going to die long before the King Cobra clutch starts slipping because of power, and at least when it does start slipping, it'll be cheaper to replace than the Centerforce.
 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Apr 14, 2007
#16
  • Apr 14, 2007
  • #16
Another vote here for the King Cobra.
 

fivespeedsteed

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 17, 2003
748
22
69
37
Richmond, VA
Apr 15, 2007
#17
  • Apr 15, 2007
  • #17
ive driven a stage 5 clutch and it sucks so much. it takes about 3 inches from the floor to be all the way out, and its either dissengaged fully or engaged pretty much fully. i imagine that a stage 2 would do just fine, or a kc
 

Foxfan88

My Grandpa has great wood.
Sep 13, 2004
2,487
4
0
38
Miami, Ok
Apr 15, 2007
#18
  • Apr 15, 2007
  • #18
dont get a SUPER TOUGH AND TIGHT clutch for a DD deal. u want your clutch to the weak link and break if something happens, not your transmission. not saying dont get a tough clutch, get TOUGH but not too TOUGH, you know what i mean.

i run a KC and i like it, never driven a stock clutch. but my KC holds well have had it for over a year, it gets some abuse now a then and since i have had it never has slipped. it has also stood up to 4k+ clutch drops at the track without a problem.
 

90_Red_LX

Member
Sep 29, 2003
668
5
19
38
Asheboro, NC
Apr 15, 2007
#19
  • Apr 15, 2007
  • #19
spec 1 for a n/a 302 and a spec 2 for a blown or nitroused app.
 

Mr. Rustypwnz

Advanced Member
Jun 1, 2005
1,761
63
69
indianapolis/ valdosta ga
Apr 15, 2007
#20
  • Apr 15, 2007
  • #20
having both a stock 5.0 and a h/c/i stang, I have a stock clutch in my 7up car and a kc in my 86gt, the petal diffs are alot, kc is harder, engages earlier, while the stocker, is soft and releases in the upper petal movement.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Fox Help Request: Clutch Cable Installation on T5 Swap — I Can’t Find the Mounting Hole
  • TDM389
  • Feb 19, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
168
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 19, 2026
nickyb
4
Drivetrain Wilwood Clutch and Brake Pedal Combo Installation - Help
  • 427stang
  • Jul 8, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
49
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 8, 2026
427stang
4
C
SN95 Another Coyote swap list
  • catkiller
  • May 10, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
131
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 10, 2026
catkiller
C
A
Need some info on putting a 2002 4.6l in a 1997 gt.
  • Austin4.6l
  • May 29, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
146
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 29, 2025
Austin4.6l
A
A
Remake Clutch and Transmission Suggestions for a 2014 6 spd manual
  • adamchrysler
  • Jul 30, 2025
  • 2010 - 2014 Specific Tech
Replies
4
Views
231
2010 - 2014 Specific Tech Aug 8, 2025
SuperCharged_Coyote
S
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?