$1000 budget for clutch assembly

[bmob]

Just as the title says, I have a $1k budget for my clutch set up (flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, TOB, clutch cable, quadrant, firewall adjuster, and fork).

I created a thread yesterday about my ring gear exploding, here is a picture of the aftermath:

So now, I am on the hunt for a new flywheel that won't let that happen (looking for a 1 piece flywheel).

Here is the info:

351w bored .030 and stroked to a 408
Tremec 3550 tranny
542hp 570tq

here was the old setup:

Fidenza light weight 2 piece flywheel
Heavy Duty Flywheel and pressure plate (not sure of the brand)
Adjustable Clutch Cable


With a $1,000 budget, this is what I was thinking:

-1 piece flywheel (28.2oz balance I believe for the 351w)
- dual friction clutch (if budget allows)
- any pressure plate that can handle the power
- stock cable
- aluminum quadrant and firewall mount
- replacement TOB and fork

I don't know brands at all (I haven't dealt with clutch components in years)

MaximumRisk suggested going with spec brand yesterday, and they are slightly out of my budget for everything, but if push comes to shove, I can try to persuade the wife to let me spend the extra $ for the spec brand.

 

[AdirondackFox08]

Damn! I like the Ram HDX I put in last summer, of course it would not be enough for your car but I'll suggest this kit. 1979-95 Mustang 5.0/5.8L 28Oz Extreme Clutch Kit Billet Steel Flywheel, 10 Spline Powergrip Hd Clutch
I would also recommend going with the Maximum Motorsports adjustable clutch cable kit. I put that in last summer also and it is pretty easy to adjust and isn't a pain in the ass like most of the other aftermarket kits.

 

[bmob]

Thanks for the link.

The price is not bad. How is the ride with the clutch? MaximumRisk said they tend to chatter.

 

[AdirondackFox08]

No problem. My Ram HDX doesn't chatter at all and the feel is pretty close to stock. I think with taller gears (2.73s - 3.27s) there is more of a chance for any aftermarket clutch to chatter compared to 3.55s and up. I've done some wot pulls and it shifts great. Usually the two names I seen thrown out a lot for making good clutches are Ram and Centerforce.

 

[melissa809]

I put in s McLeod street clutch with aluminum flywheel in my 09 GT500...vodt $1200....that's not including labor.

 

[MaximumRisk]

My suggestion to you is just buy a stock replacement flywheel; that will save you some $$$ , then get the Spec, Ram, Mcleod or CenterForce clutch of your liking. Get the MaximumMotorsports clutch cable as suggested above. It is the same factory cable, but they sell it a little cheaper than the dealer. Get the MaximumMotorsports quadrant and Firewall adjuster. Get a new pilot bearing from the auto part. The throwout bearing is included with most clutch kit. Install everything and go have fun!!!

 

[AdirondackFox08]

My suggestion to you is just buy a stock replacement flywheel; that will save you some $$$ , then get the Spec, Ram, Mcleod or CenterForce clutch of your liking. Get the MaximumMotorsports clutch cable as suggested above. It is the same factory cable, but they sell it a little cheaper than the dealer. Get the MaximumMotorsports quadrant and Firewall adjuster. Get a new pilot bearing from the auto part. The throwout bearing is included with most clutch kit. Install everything and go have fun!!!

Some of the Ram clutch kits recommend going with a billet flywheel, for safety reasons I guess. I also recommend getting a Ford throwout bearing, the throwout bearing in the Ram clutch kits are chinese junk and start squeaking within 2 months. If you go with a different clutch kit be sure to see what throwout bearing they include. This is the link to the MM clutch cable kit, Clutch Cable, Quadrant, and Firewall Adjuster Package [MMCP-51] : Maximum Motorsports, the Latemodel Mustang Performance Suspension Leader! The cable in this one is longer than the stock cable because you have the firewall adjuster to deal with the slack.

 

[bmob]

Ordered the kit Adirondack linked me to from latemodelrestoration.com

Also ordered the clutch kit form Maximum Motorsports.

Haven't ordered a ford TOB yet, but you believe it necessary?

I have used foreign TOBs before, and I find that if I get some bearing grease on em good, they last me forever.

$1,200 is out of my budget. I am installing this myself so labor is not an issue.

All my stock cable brackets are gone, so I am going to have to fab up new ones for this cable (will also allow me to make sure the cable routing is perfect).

I am looking forward to this set up. She has been making big numbers, but the previous clutch couldn't handle the power.

 

[AdirondackFox08]

I've heard that some of the tobs that came in the Ram clutch kits wore out quickly, and going with a Ford one would be best. I didn't use the one they included because I didn't want to take a chance and have to pull everything out and change it again. With the new MM clutch cable kit you won't need any brackets, it runs from the clutch fork and goes in front of the oil filter (if I remember correctly) and loops up around and goes through the hole in the firewall and hooks at the new quadrant. Since the new cable is longer the instructions say to rout the cable differently and get rid of the one bracket in the engine bay.