deciding on a new clutch.

[Lethal5Oh]

Well im looking into putting in my second clutch. Replaced the original with a king cobra and hated it ever since i put it in. The pedal is way harder than stock even though they claim it should be lighter. Anyway im looking at the spec stage 1. Any thoughts? Figure it should hold up long enough till i can afford to buy the DSS 331 that i want. Think theres would be any advantage to having the pressure plate lightened? Treperformance offers that service. would you guys recommend a different clutch? while staying around or under $200. Thanks.

[USMC302]

Hate replying with no regard to your budget, but the Centerforce DF, was by far the easiest pedal effort and best grip I have ever felt. I'm running the 331 with it, pulling 17" Cobra's off the ground. Clutch is solid, I love it. They run $299 I think. Good luck.

[Dark_5.0]

I started racing my 5.0 5 years ago and the first thing I bought was a Ford Racing clutch. $160.00 in Summit.

I made hundreds of 1.6 launches and mid 12 second 1/4 mile runs as well as some hard street miles.

I am just now replacing the clutch cause I need one that will hold 500HP. It still works perfectly and feels pretty much stock.

I highly reccomend it.

BTW: when I bought my car it had a brand new King Cobra clutch in it and I hated the way it felt and replaced it with the Ford Racing clutch.

[1989GT]

Centerforce DF

Another vote! I don't currently have one but it'll be my next clutch. I had a king cobra clutch come apart on me at about 1500 miles... I have a buddy that runs a spec stage 1 clutch, seems to be a good clutch it's holding up to 390 rwhp but the pedal effort is a good amount more than stock.

[Coupe50h]

Hmm, surprised to see so many people unhappy with the king cobra, I been running mine for yrs, on slicks, and alot of daily miles....... A friend of mine uses the spec 1 clutch, and I could smell it bad after each pass, didnt impress me......
For the money the king cobra is hard to beat imo......... I would get a 169$ clutch, and the 130$ you save from not buying the CF DF, you can put towards some gears

[1989GT]

I would get a 169$ clutch, and the 130$ you save from not buying the CF DF, you can put towards some gears

Yeah until that $169 clutch comes apart on you leaving a stop sign and you realize you have to drop the tranny in your driveway again, and you should've just paid for a good clutch the first time.

[Dark_5.0]

Originally Posted by 1989GT

Yeah until that $169 clutch comes apart on you leaving a stop sign and you realize you have to drop the tranny in your driveway again, and you should've just paid for a good clutch the first time.

My 160 dollar clutch has never failed me and i have abused the hell out of it for a long time. If a clutch fails from "coming apart" and not wear it is most likely due to improper installation.

[1989GT]

My 160 dollar clutch has never failed me and i have abused the hell out of it for a long time. If a clutch fails from "coming apart" and not wear it is most likely due to improper installation.

I actually am running the same clutch you are and it seems to be doing well, but the king cobra clutch came out in two pieces, the inner part with the splines/springs and the friction material being the other part,(you could hold the clutch by the friction material and spin the splined portion) maybe I got a bad clutch I don't know this was 6-7 years ago. But by the time I bought 2 clutches I could've just got a centerforce and been done with it.

[Lethal5Oh]

Thanks for the replies. I know my clutch was definetly installed properly. The KC clutch was all good for the first year, but after being stuck in traffic jams and driving around Illinois for a year, few burnouts and some general hotrodding, its chattering more than my jaw on a cold winter day. Guess its a matter of personal opinion/ driving style. Any thoughts on the pressure plate lightning? is $80 worth it?

[Coupe50h]

Yea 1989gt must of had a bad apple there, I know my first clutch was a $149 fms 10.5 the pedal feel was so hard, my girlfriend couldnt even start the car, also the throwout bearing that came with it was defected, cuz it went south after about 500 miles, so yea I should have a CF bye now, but i try and save money where i can since I really have my eye on a new al. flywheel, probaly get that when tax return comes in.

I would try a spec 1 if your against the fms, my buddies probaly burned up cuz it didnt get a good break in period, also my buddy runs afr heads, cam, intake etc, he could prolly use a stage 2...

[USMC302]

Originally Posted by Dark_5.0

My 160 dollar clutch has never failed me and i have abused the hell out of it for a long time. If a clutch fails from "coming apart" and not wear it is most likely due to improper installation.

IMHO, your $160 clutch may be holding up because your pushing 301rwhp on it. once you get into the 400hp range, you might be in the same boat as lethal. The CF DF is a friendly street clutch and your while modding your way up to the 400 mark you won't have to worry.

Improper installation is def a factor as well as improper breakin. And i hate to say it but there are some lemons out there, no matter what the product or company. And FWIW, I've heard good things about Spec clutches.