Which clutch to get for a 550rwhp fox? - Northern California Ford Owners

This is topic Which clutch to get for a 550rwhp fox? in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners .

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Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

I'm looking to get a clutch for my blown fox coupe build. The trans is a 26 spline beefed up TKO 500, and my combo should be making roughly 500-550rwhp & 450-500 rwtq. I have eventual plans of possibly making 650rwhp down the road, but that might not be for a while, so I would prefer to get a clutch that will be able to handle around 600-650ish HP/TQ. I want something that can handle high RPM launches at the track on slicks, but also be streetable.

I'm looking at either the Centerforce DFX, the Mcleod Street Extreme, or possibly the Spec 3+. Twin disk stuff is out of my price range & honestly is overkill for my power level IMO. I previously had a center force dual friction, & LOVED it, but it's not enough for my future power level goals... What are you guys using or what are your experiences?

Thanks in advance. [patriot]

[ 2015-06-24, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: *EPIK* ]

Posted by 91 5.0 5speed (Member # 1867) on :

Best to get the twin disk. spend the xtra money now so you can have a reliable combo [patriot]

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 91 5.0 5speed:
Best to get the twin disk. spend the xtra money now so you can have a reliable combo

Yeah, but my car will never make more than 650hp/tq, and if it does, the TKO won't be abe to handle that type of power anyway. Don't you think the twin disk maybe overkill?

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

Anybody else?

Posted by Mr.10psi (Member # 11062) on :

centerforce dfx is legit. Plenty of heavier 03 cobras making more than 600rwhp torque and upwards of 650-700rwhp using this clutch. Your fox is way lighter.

Posted by 92_5.0 (Member # 7624) on :

Spec stage 3 here, it holds 540 rwhp no problem and feels similar to a king cobra clutch

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Mr.10psi:
centerforce dfx is legit. Plenty of heavier 03 cobras making more than 600rwhp torque and upwards of 650-700rwhp using this clutch. Your fox is way lighter.

True. My fox was 2950 lbs in street trim when it was a stock block HCI, with the AC deleted. I'm thinking with the blower, dart block, & AC back in, it will probably be above 3100 lbs in street trim.

I'm just worried about the on/off engagement that I hear about with this clutch. I know I have to sacrifice one thing for the other. If I want a clutch that holds up at the track, the street manners might not be as good, but i'm looking to find something thats the best of both worlds LOL.

[ 2015-06-24, 05:46 PM: Message edited by: *EPIK* ]

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 92_5.0:
Spec stage 3 here, it holds 540 rwhp no problem and feels similar to a king cobra clutch

I didn't like the pedal effort on the King Cobra when I used to have one back in the day, it was super stiff. Centerforce dual friction pedal feel was nice.

I was looking at the Spec 3+, but it says you have to run their flywheel with it, & I was gonna use my stock flywheel that was resurfaced & modified to work with a 28 oz balance. All my buddies (with built cars) were saying that buying a billet steel flywheel was a waste of money, since I'm kinda on a tight budget.

[ 2015-06-24, 05:44 PM: Message edited by: *EPIK* ]

Posted by Blow_U_In_Reverse (Member # 12298) on :

580rwhp with a spec stage 3.. had no issues.. daily driven on the streets.. not sure how it would do at a track, it was very streetable..

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Blow_U_In_Reverse:
580rwhp with a spec stage 3.. had no issues.. daily driven on the streets.. not sure how it would do at a track, it was very streetable..

Not so worried about it holding up on the street, but more worried about it slipping at the track when launched at high rpm's on full slicks.

Posted by Saleen 00-768 (Member # 9379) on :

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:

quote:
Originally posted by Blow_U_In_Reverse:
580rwhp with a spec stage 3.. had no issues.. daily driven on the streets.. not sure how it would do at a track, it was very streetable..
Not so worried about it holding up on the street, but more worried about it slipping at the track when launched at high rpm's on full slicks.

McLeod RST twin disc don't look back.

Posted by Pure Stang (Member # 7251) on :

Not going to lie the spec stage 3 I have felt a little lighter than the centerforce. Grabs a bit quicker than the centerforce as well.

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

Everyone on the other forums & my buddy with an 03 Cobra says that the Spec 3+ chatter hella bad & that they suck balls on the street.

Posted by Chicken__coupe (Member # 5779) on :

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:
Everyone on the other forums & my buddy with an 03 Cobra says that the Spec 3+ chatter hella bad & that they suck balls on the street.

Sounds like they have a wimpy leg lol maybe they should go auto.

Posted by 135.0 (Member # 4992) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Chicken__coupe:

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:
Everyone on the other forums & my buddy with an 03 Cobra says that the Spec 3+ chatter hella bad & that they suck balls on the street.
Sounds like they have a wimpy leg lol maybe they should go auto.

Never skip leg day. [Wink]

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 135.0:

quote:
Originally posted by Chicken__coupe:

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:
Everyone on the other forums & my buddy with an 03 Cobra says that the Spec 3+ chatter hella bad & that they suck balls on the street.
Sounds like they have a wimpy leg lol maybe they should go auto.
Never skip leg day.

They complained more about excessive chatter and a ridiculous on/off engagement.

Posted by Chicken__coupe (Member # 5779) on :

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:

quote:
Originally posted by 135.0:

quote:
Originally posted by Chicken__coupe:

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:
Everyone on the other forums & my buddy with an 03 Cobra says that the Spec 3+ chatter hella bad & that they suck balls on the street.
Sounds like they have a wimpy leg lol maybe they should go auto.
Never skip leg day.
They complained more about excessive chatter and a ridiculous on/off engagement.

On/off engagement is perfect, It's either in or out.

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Chicken__coupe:

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:

quote:
Originally posted by 135.0:

quote:
Originally posted by Chicken__coupe:

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:
Everyone on the other forums & my buddy with an 03 Cobra says that the Spec 3+ chatter hella bad & that they suck balls on the street.
Sounds like they have a wimpy leg lol maybe they should go auto.
Never skip leg day.
They complained more about excessive chatter and a ridiculous on/off engagement.
On/off engagement is perfect, It's either in or out.

Yeah, I guess this is true, but seems like street drivability would kinda suck?

Posted by hurting your feelings (Member # 13641) on :

2 speed th400

Posted by Chicken__coupe (Member # 5779) on :

Spec2+ chattered for a few 100 miles but was fine after that and was super smooth. It worked great on the street and great at the track.

Spec3 had no chatter and was smooth. Also worked great on the street/track.

Both pedals were stiff but I was use to it and it didn't bother me. Driving a high performance stick shift fox in traffic sucks regardless the pedal feel lol. Which ever clutch you go with I'm sure it will work for your setup

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Chicken__coupe:
Spec2+ chattered for a few 100 miles but was fine after that and was super smooth. It worked great on the street and great at the track.

Spec3 had no chatter and was smooth. Also worked great on the street/track.

Both pedals were stiff but I was use to it and it didn't bother me. Driving a high performance stick shift fox in traffic sucks regardless the pedal feel lol. Which ever clutch you go with I'm sure it will work for your setup

Thanks for the clearer info. It will NEVER be a DD, and doubt it will see much stop and go traffic, but I do want something semi-smooth, that can handle abuse on slicks.

Posted by SIC9250 (Member # 8216) on :

Spec stg 3+ hands down

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

quote:
Originally posted by SIC9250:
Spec stg 3+ hands down

You've had one before Brandon?

Posted by 92_5.0 (Member # 7624) on :

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:

quote:
Originally posted by 92_5.0:
Spec stage 3 here, it holds 540 rwhp no problem and feels similar to a king cobra clutch
I didn't like the pedal effort on the King Cobra when I used to have one back in the day, it was super stiff. Centerforce dual friction pedal feel was nice.

I was looking at the Spec 3+, but it says you have to run their flywheel with it, & I was gonna use my stock flywheel that was resurfaced & modified to work with a 28 oz balance. All my buddies (with built cars) were saying that buying a billet steel
flywheel was a waste of money, since I'm kinda on a tight budget.

The pedal feel was fine to me, I'm running a FMS billet steel flywheel

Posted by 92_5.0 (Member # 7624) on :

The chatter is minimal and tolerable.

Posted by racsirx (Member # 1710) on :

What about ACT?

Posted by adower (Member # 5955) on :

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:
I'm looking to get a clutch for my blown fox coupe build. The trans is a 26 spline beefed up TKO 500, and my combo should be making roughly 500-550rwhp & 450-500 rwtq. I have eventual plans of possibly making 650rwhp down the road, but that might not be for a while, so I would prefer to get a clutch that will be able to handle around 600-650ish HP/TQ. I want something that can handle high RPM launches at the track on slicks, but also be streetable.

I'm looking at either the Centerforce DFX, the Mcleod Street Extreme, or possibly the Spec 3+. Twin disk stuff is out of my price range & honestly is overkill for my power level IMO. I previously had a center force dual friction, & LOVED it, but it's not enough for my future power level goals... What are you guys using or what are your experiences?

Thanks in advance.

I liked my centerforce when I had my 93 cobra. Felt a little tougher than stock. Could definitely dd if needed. What blower are you going with?

Posted by 5.0 LsX (Member # 10017) on :

McLeod RST twin disc don't look back.

hands down best clutch for street driving, feels lighter and smoother than stock, wouldn't buy anything else after owning one

Posted by SIC9250 (Member # 8216) on :

Drove a spec 3 in a 96 cobra for 2 1/2 years,little overkill for just having full bolt-ons but I beat the hell outta that car and it was my DD,had no complaints in bumper to bumper traffic what so ever,peddle feel was very close to stock and I'm really anal about how my clutch feels in my cars, the release/grab feel was second to none compared to any clutch I have had and I've ran them all but twin disc..I've driven 2 twin disc cars and they were way to sensitive for my liking..don't forget to run a STOCK ford clutch cable,aftermarket adjustable ones are garbage..

Posted by 50Reasons (Member # 6452) on :

Love my spec 3 behind my tko 500 smooth and good street/track , and peddle is not bad either.

Posted by SLOWSN95 (Member # 8269) on :

Installed more clutches than I can count and I've had really good results with spec "+" clutches. The "non-plus" clutches usually have an "on/off" engagement and the "plus" has a good street feel to it. If it were my car, I'd do a spec 2+ with a billet steel flywheel since it will be driven on the street. An aluminum flywheel will take away some drivability.

Posted by SAMACH1 (Member # 7042) on :

MCLEOD RST FTW, I have the RXT in mine [burnout]

Posted by racsirx (Member # 1710) on :

I tried a Spec stage 2 many years ago and smoked it on the dyno with 407rwhp at Mustang Ranch, after that I never used one again but it seems like you guys are having good luck with them

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

It's a tough decision yall. Many recommending Spec on here, but many others saying not to use them on other forums etc. I think a twin disc is more than I need. Nobody have experience with the McLeod street extreme?

Posted by East Bay 50 (Member # 8081) on :

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:
It's a tough decision yall. Many recommending Spec on here, but many others saying not to use them on other forums etc. I think a twin disc is more than I need. Nobody have experience with the McLeod street extreme?

I made over 600rw and TQ and my Mccleod street extreme held up just fine. I have a spec stage 3+ and don't really like it. [Whoo Whooooo!]

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

quote:
Originally posted by East Bay 50:

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:
It's a tough decision yall. Many recommending Spec on here, but many others saying not to use them on other forums etc. I think a twin disc is more than I need. Nobody have experience with the McLeod street extreme?
I made over 600rw and TQ and my Mccleod street extreme held up just fine. I have a spec stage 3+ and don't really like it.

What flywheel are you using with that McLeod Damani?

Posted by SWITCH 625.0 (Member # 9322) on :

Hey Dustin, I have the McLeod Super Street Pro behind the 331 in the Fox and a RXT twin disc in the Terminator. Very pleased with both. If I needed a clutch tomorrow, I would buy a McLeod.

Posted by SLOW95GTS (Member # 10365) on :

Get a Ram powergrip hd, soft pedal and no chatter.

Posted by 84SVOrick (Member # 9039) on :

quote:
Originally posted by SLOW95GTS:
Get a Ram powergrip hd, soft pedal and no chatter.

had a ram power grib, tons of chatter, hard pedal. wore out after 1 1/2 years abuse. my spec stage 1 held up better and pedal was wayyy softer

Posted by kuku93 (Member # 14014) on :

I HAD THE MCLEOD HYDRAULIC CONVERSION KIT. IT WAS AWESOME. BUT DIDNT LAST ME 6 MONTHTS BEFORE IT STARTED TO LEAK.. BUT THE WAY THE MECHANIC DID IT WAS BAD AND DIDNT ROUTE IT RIGHT... THIS IS A GOOD INVESTMENT.. LOOK AT IT AND ITLL HELP IN THE LONG RUN.. IT FEELS LIGHTER THAN THE CABLE OF COURSE AND YOU CAN SHIFT FASTER WITHOUT FEELING THAT WEIRD FEELING ON THE CLUTCH.

Posted by *EPIK* (Member # 7481) on :

Didn't know this thread was still going. I'm installing the Centerforce DFX fellas! Thanks for all the info though.

[ 2015-07-31, 02:14 PM: Message edited by: *EPIK* ]

Posted by CoyoteMike (Member # 13748) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Saleen 00-768:

quote:
Originally posted by *EPIK*:

quote:
Originally posted by Blow_U_In_Reverse:
580rwhp with a spec stage 3.. had no issues.. daily driven on the streets.. not sure how it would do at a track, it was very streetable..
Not so worried about it holding up on the street, but more worried about it slipping at the track when launched at high rpm's on full slicks.
McLeod RST twin disc don't look back.

I have this in my SVO...its fantastic.

[ 2015-07-31, 03:01 PM: Message edited by: CoyoteMike ]

Posted by Sugarblood (Member # 14409) on :

Spec 3 worked well for my old car.
Street able as you can be with a high hp car.

Posted by Blue92 (Member # 8789) on :

This thread is a year old and OP installed a clutch already.

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