My fellow 2V Brethren

Orange Stang · Jul 20, 2011

What kinda aftermarket clutch are you running?

Heres what im leaning towards. Money is an issue, plus im not a racer, just a spirited driver.

Spec stage 1 or RAM HDx

Im leaning towards the ram. some folks ive heard dislike the spec in a ford, but the GM guys love them so im on the fence. Ive heard alot of good things about ram as well, where ive heard spec has more chatter compared to the RAM?

Im no where near an expert, Ive researched and now im just looking for opinions. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IM DOING AS IVE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH A 5spd BEFORE!!! HELPPP!!!!!

MadStang · Jul 20, 2011

spec is junk imo. im running a stage 3 and ive never had more issues. im on my 3rd pressure plate because they keep failing...

ram is a good street clutch, holds decent amount of power. If you wanna go big power, the McLeod RST Twin-Disk is the best imo. its what ive bought for my new motor. great streetability and can handle well more than 1000hp lol.

Orange Stang · Jul 20, 2011

im never wanting to make more than 400 rwhp lol.

I think the RAM is the way to go for me

Willis_98GT · Jul 23, 2011

Centerforce DF is beyond butter, its what i ran.

before that i used a king cobra, had awesome stock feel

dont forget a new throwout bearing, oem!

Jrgunn5150 · Jul 24, 2011

I ran a King Cobra( Valeo), smoked it. Ran a Spec stage I, smoked it, Spec stage III, chattered terrible and smoked it (on a T56 now), Centerforce DF ran the next 18k with no issues with a lil over 500 rwhp

miss2slocoupe · Jul 24, 2011

ram is by far the best and they last!

Willis_98GT · Jul 24, 2011

J.R. said:
I ran a King Cobra( Valeo), smoked it. Ran a Spec stage I, smoked it, Spec stage III, chattered terrible and smoked it (on a T56 now), Centerforce DF ran the next 18k with no issues with a lil over 500 rwhp

a friend of mine also had a centerforce on a 5.4 32v turbo setup for like 10-15k miles daily driven

Jrgunn5150 · Jul 24, 2011

Mine was still great when I piled into a Camry lol

JDwhite98gt · Jul 25, 2011

I put a spec stage 1 into my car before selling to JB. It was ok but but I wish I went with the Ram which is in the same price range. It was smooth with a light pedal but if I was stopped on a hill, it would chatter and I hated that.

vermilion · Jul 25, 2011

i have a spec 3 and it chatters at any condition. its the 6 puck design makes it chattery. id definitely go with something else. hell i may go with a mcleod.

vermilion · Jul 25, 2011

for the record i have a spec 3+. i love the light pedal feel, ldc freeplay mod but still chatters.

greenscobie86 · Aug 17, 2011

I bought a factory Sachs clutch for 125$... Pretty nice so far. Not sure it if will hold 500whp but Im happy, super smooth pedal, perfect for a daily driver.

duff daddy · Aug 17, 2011

ACT or Exedy or Ram...

Bullitt5339 · Aug 21, 2011

You guys that buy SPEC Stage 3's and then complain that they chatter crack me up. A Stage 3 is a very aggressive clutch, and if you want to run an aggressive clutch, you've got to deal with some of the noise that comes with them.

You want to know why the DF lasted? Because it's built to slip initially instead of dead grabbing like the SPEC. If you drive a SPEC Stage 2 or above, and you try to ride the clutch out like you do a factory clutch, you're going to burn it up. It's not built to slip. That especially goes to guys with too much clutch for their horsepower level. You end up with an on/off switch instead of a clutch. That goes for any clutch, not just the SPEC though. If you try to make a clutch slip that wasn't designed to slip, it's going to burn up. If you've been through that many clutches, you've either got an installation problem or a driving problem.

I ran a Valeo 11" King Cobra for 60k miles with over 200 dragstrip launches at 5500+ rpm. When I pulled the engine, I replaced it while it was accessible, but it wasn't dead yet. I went with a SPEC Stage 2, and it's got about 10k street miles on it, and about 40-50 dragstrip launches, and I just checked it out and it looks brand new.

I had the DF in my old GT, and I liked it until one of those stupid ass counterweights decided to release at about 6000rpm and then made it's way through the transmission, destroying my old T45 on it's way through. It's just not built to handle high rpm operation and high rpm launches. When I put a SPEC Stage 1 in that car, and replaced the transmission, I gained over a tenth on my 60ft with no other changes because of the design of the DF, it is designed to slip a bit.

Javi · Aug 21, 2011

DF Centerforce.

duff daddy · Aug 21, 2011

Bullitt5339 said:
You guys that buy SPEC Stage 3's and then complain that they chatter crack me up. A Stage 3 is a very aggressive clutch, and if you want to run an aggressive clutch, you've got to deal with some of the noise that comes with them.

You want to know why the DF lasted? Because it's built to slip initially instead of dead grabbing like the SPEC. If you drive a SPEC Stage 2 or above, and you try to ride the clutch out like you do a factory clutch, you're going to burn it up. It's not built to slip. That especially goes to guys with too much clutch for their horsepower level. You end up with an on/off switch instead of a clutch. That goes for any clutch, not just the SPEC though. If you try to make a clutch slip that wasn't designed to slip, it's going to burn up. If you've been through that many clutches, you've either got an installation problem or a driving problem.

I ran a Valeo 11" King Cobra for 60k miles with over 200 dragstrip launches at 5500+ rpm. When I pulled the engine, I replaced it while it was accessible, but it wasn't dead yet. I went with a SPEC Stage 2, and it's got about 10k street miles on it, and about 40-50 dragstrip launches, and I just checked it out and it looks brand new.

I had the DF in my old GT, and I liked it until one of those stupid ass counterweights decided to release at about 6000rpm and then made it's way through the transmission, destroying my old T45 on it's way through. It's just not built to handle high rpm operation and high rpm launches. When I put a SPEC Stage 1 in that car, and replaced the transmission, I gained over a tenth on my 60ft with no other changes because of the design of the DF, it is designed to slip a bit.

This is so true. 90% of people out there who buy a clutch, over clutch (buy too high of a stage) and then cause their own problems.

Mustang46 · Aug 21, 2011

I bought a Ram Stage 2 clutch for my setup. It performed really well with my setup when I had it.. Since though I went to an built automatic transmission because of my power future levels.

Paradox · Aug 22, 2011

Ditto on the to much clutch. I picked up the FRPP heavy duty unit from Latemodel restoration and am very happy with it. Decent price too.

MARKCORE · Aug 22, 2011

Ive had a King Cobra, Spec 3+, and a Centerforce DF.

King Cobra - too stiff of a DD IMO
Spec 3+ - not for a DD, but good for drag racing
Centerforce DF - not bad for a DD, seams to be holding up well

My next clutch will be a Zoom from Summit. $120 FTW!

LilRoush · Sep 10, 2011

I run a Ram in one car and a Spec in the other. Spec is more aggressive and feeds the six speed - and yes, I deal with the chatter.It was put in by the previous owner.
I do like the Ram. I've had them in 3 of my Mustangs over the years and would buy one again. The Ram has taken the abuse of testing blowers on the white car for several years, delt with a lot of street and track abuse and has lots of life left in it.