[MT0911]

Hey guys, I hate to make another thread about this but I find myself a little indecisive on which clutch to pick up. Some of you guys already know that shortly (within the next couple months) I'll be supercharging my Stang. I already have 90% of all the parts needed but I just need to make a decision on the clutch setup before I go adding more power.



I'll be buying:

FRPP Pilot Bearing
FRPP HD TOB
FRPP Clutch Fork
Ford Clutch Fork Pivot Stud
Ford Pressure Plate & Dowel Pin Kit
Ford Rear Main Seal
LDC Freeplay Spring Mod

Now for the clutch I am considering:

Valeo OEM 03/04 Cobra clutch: 289.99 + shipping
Billet Depot | 2001-2004 Ford Mustang GT Mach 1 Cobra 11" Clutch Kit

^ They list it on Ebay for cheaper: 269.99 Free Shipping
01-04 MUSTANG VALEO FMS KING COBRA CLUTCH KIT 11" | eBay

OR

Centerforce DF Clutch: 359.99 Free Shipping
CEN-DF800075 - Centerforce Clutches Dual Friction Clutch Pressure Plate and Disc (99/01 Cobra, mid-01+ GT, Bullitt, Mach 1 & 03-04 Cobra with TR3650 or T56 transmissions w/ 10 spline) - Centerforce - Mustang Performance Parts

And for the flywheel I'm considering:

Spec Billet Steel Flywheel: 269.99 Free Shipping
SPEC Billet Steel Flywheel - 6 Bolt (96-98 Mustang and Mid 01-04 GT) SF64S - Free Shipping!






I don't have any personal experience with either clutch which is why I'm asking. I did a search and found a sh*tload of people love the Centerforce DF clutch but I couldn't find many people who are running the Valeo 03/04 Cobra Clutch. The price difference isn't a huge (around $100 difference) and I would feel fine purchasing either.

Info About How I Drive My Stang For Those Who Want To Know:
I use my Mustang as a daily driver. My driving is mixed between highway and city driving but majority is highway. I may go to the track on occasion (not much - maybe a couple times a year); though the clutch will see some launching and a little abuse. Clutch pedal pressure isn't a big deal to me - I don't mind if it's a little stiffer than stock. I'm planning on putting down in the neighborhood of 400/400 on the blower setup and *may* be adding cams in the future so the numbers/torque will increase a little bit.

Any experience / history with these clutchs I would be glad to hear. Any advice before I purchase would be awesome as well. Thanks MM

[mdb12002]

I have been running my Spec Stage 3+ for almost 2 years now at 460rwhp and I love it! Its not noisy, and is very suitable for the street. Just my .02

[MT0911]

Originally Posted by mdb12002 I have been running my Spec Stage 3+ for almost 2 years now at 460rwhp and I love it! Its not noisy, and is very suitable for the street. Just my .02

I honestly contemplated buying a Spec Stage 2+ clutch but from what I've heard they are hit and miss which is why I'm look at the two options above. I've driven an 03 Cobra running a Spec Stage 3+ and it felt awesome but of course that was on the T56.

Man, that is some decent power you are putting down on the stock bottom end! I'm guessing some nice Heads, cams, and some type of F/I. Pretty cool you've been running like that for 2 years. Keep it going man .

[stal94gt]

Don't run a spec 3+ that clutch hits the tires way to hard. With a 10 spline input shaft your going to want a clutch that is forgiving yet holding power. I say 03-04 cobra clutch. When I bought my car it had a brand new oem clutch in it and it drove amazing. The car dynoed over 400 hp and it held every bit of it. The only reason I pulled it out was my car makes over 600 hp so I swapped input shaft and went with a 3 +.

[MT0911]

Originally Posted by stal94gt Don't run a spec 3+ that clutch hits the tires way to hard. With a 10 spline input shaft your going to want a clutch that is forgiving yet holding power. I say 03-04 cobra clutch. When I bought my car it had a brand new oem clutch in it and it drove amazing. The car dynoed over 400 hp and it held every bit of it. The only reason I pulled it out was my car makes over 600 hp so I swapped input shaft and went with a 3 +.

Yep personally, I like the feel of the Cobra clutch. I have a buddy who makes over 500+ through a Steigmeier ported Eaton on his Cobra; he's running the OEM clutch, still takes it to the track and has zero issues.

I know you always want the clutch to be able to handle the power but still be the weak point in the drivetrain so like you said it's forgiving. I've seen the effects of being "overclutched" and I'd like to steer clear of that. I'd rather upgrade to a 26- spline setup when I'm ready, not because I shredded the 10-spline lol.

I'll definitely take your vote into consideration man. Thanks.

[skidad62]

I went with the Centerforce dual friction - has been awesome on the street and at the track - very pleased here

[mdb12002]

Originally Posted by MT0911 Man, that is some decent power you are putting down on the stock bottom end! I'm guessing some nice Heads, cams, and some type of F/I. Pretty cool you've been running like that for 2 years. Keep it going man .

Yes, Patriot performance heads, comp stage 2 cam, and a P1sc at 9lbs (:

[MT0911]

Originally Posted by skidad62 I went with the Centerforce dual friction - has been awesome on the street and at the track - very pleased here

I've heard similar from lots of guys running it. I'm one of those OEM Cobra clutch supporters but I keep hearing good things about the Centerforce that I'm considering dishing out the extra coin and trying something different if it seems like it's worth it. The concepts of having a centrifugal weight system is pretty interesting and I've heard that the pedal effort is nice. Thanks for the feedback man.

[MT0911]

Originally Posted by mdb12002 Yes, Patriot performance heads, comp stage 2 cam, and a P1sc at 9lbs (:

That's pretty stout for 9lbs

[Blak GT]

I've heard great things about the Centerforce but I went with a McLeod Super Street Pro and I love it so far. I've only had it for about 300mi but its softer than stock and feels awesome!
2001-2004 Mustang GT McLeod Super Street Pro Clutch - Sale

[Shaun03GT]

Why not just get your flywheel turned for $50? Or get an aluminum one with the friction plate. Aluminum flywheels can be turned usually once and thats it. But if you get the friction surface, you wont have to worry about resurfacing the flywheel. I would say go with the 03/04 Cobra clutch.


Hows your Vortech build coming togeather?

[MT0911]

Originally Posted by Shaun03GT Why not just get your flywheel turned for $50? Or get an aluminum one with the friction plate. Aluminum flywheels can be turned usually once and thats it. But if you get the friction surface, you wont have to worry about resurfacing the flywheel. I would say go with the 03/04 Cobra clutch. Hows your Vortech build coming togeather?

Yep, having the option to swap out the friction plate is why I want to go with that Spec Billet Steel Flywheel. I don't really see the aluminum flywheel being worth the increase in cost over the latter . But MM could convince me if it can be justified lol.

The build is coming along. All I have left to pick up is a new belt, 3.33" pulley, some more vacuum hose, a couple tee fittings, and some more hosing, tclamps, etc. Then I'm planning on taking a weekend, and going in to cut the front bumper support for the intercooler and the hole needed to route the piping on the passenger side well. Then I'm going to pre-fit install all the piping (to make sure everything is solid) and mark where I need the hole drilled for the IAC nipple, and then get the MAF and BOV flanges welded on.

So pretty much I have all the big stuff out of the way and I'm just getting the little things taken care of . But before I move on with that I really want to get this clutch stuff finished. I estimate that Ill have everything installed and tuned by end of Feb/ beginning of March . I planning on taken some decent pics and video of the blower installation so I'll be posting all that up when it's done.

[Shaun03GT]

Cool man! Can't wait to see it all.

The billet steel is heavy. And its rotating mass....I would spend the extra couple on an aluminum flywheel, or just get the stocker resurfaced.

[MT0911]

Originally Posted by Shaun03GT Cool man! Can't wait to see it all. The billet steel is heavy. And its rotating mass....I would spend the extra couple on an aluminum flywheel, or just get the stocker resurfaced.

I'll definitely take that into consideration and look more into it. I might end up just picking up the 03/04 Cobra Clutch and using the money I saved over the Centerforce and upgrade to the aluminum flywheel. Thanks man .

[blownstang]

Get the 03/04 cobra clutch from one of the UPR links you posted. Make them an offer for less than what they are asking.

[Shaun03GT]

Just FYI, RPM outlet sells the Centerforce DF clutch for like $310 on their site. I called Summitt and they price matched it, and got mine for $300 shipped.

Centerforce bites though, the Cobra clutch will be more forgiving.

[MT0911]

Originally Posted by blownstang Get the 03/04 cobra clutch from one of the UPR links you posted. Make them an offer for less than what they are asking.

Yep - I actually put in an offer to Billet Depot (same company as UPR). I'll wait for their answer. If they accept - I'll b getting a pretty decent deal .

[MT0911]

Originally Posted by Shaun03GT Just FYI, RPM outlet sells the Centerforce DF clutch for like $310 on their site. I called Summitt and they price matched it, and got mine for $300 shipped. Centerforce bites though, the Cobra clutch will be more forgiving.

Wow that's really not bad at all. Thanks for the info. I had no idea they were selling for that cheap. If the offer falls through on the Cobra clutch, there really won't be that big of a difference so I just might end up going with the Centerforce. I appreciate the info man .

[stal94gt]

I swapped the aluminum flywheel out of my cobra for the spec billet steel. Its not much heavier and it helps at the drag strip. Heavier flywheels hit the tires harder off the launch and carry momentum on shifts

[MT0911]

Originally Posted by stal94gt I swapped the aluminum flywheel out of my cobra for the spec billet steel. Its not much heavier and it helps at the drag strip. Heavier flywheels hit the tires harder off the launch and carry momentum on shifts

This is what I was thinking due to the heavier rotating mass. Thanks for the insight - I'll be making a decision shortly. I'm wanting to make the purchase before the end of this month so I'll let you all know what I end up getting .

And Shaun - didn't realize till now but it looks like RPMoutlet is closed. No problem though man, would have been a great deal having summit price match it. I'll probably hear back from the Cobra clutch offer Monday, hopefully BilletDepot/UPR accepts.