Hey everyone!

My stage 3 turbo kit is on it's way, and I am currently shopping around for a new clutch that will handle all the abuse from the extra power and torque. At present, I have been considering either a Centerforce Dual Friction or one of the ClutchMasters setups. I would like to get the beefiest clutch that I can without sacrificing drivability (particularly during the harsh Canadian winters where snow and ice are involved).

From what I've read so far, the ClutchMasters stage 3 or 4 looks like the best choice, but after asking the opinion of my favourite tranny tech, he recommended going with the Centerforce as it is "a well known and established brand". I'll be the first to admit, I had never heard of ClutchMasters before until searching for the best clutch for my car, so my tranny tech may have a good point in my mind. Money is no object and I need to make a decision fast- what do you guys think I should go with?

P.S. I have heard that the Mopar high performance clutch is a complete waste of money...any truth to this rumor?

 

I'm not sure what they offer for the SRT4's, but I have always been very satisfied with Centerforce clutches. I have had three in my life time and beat the Doo Doo out of them, and they performed flawlessly.

I had one in a '74 Formula Firebird, 455ci with a 4 speed.
Another in an '85 Daytona Turbo Z, very heavily modified, pulled it out after 30k of abuse and it looked new.
And last, but not least, one of my plow trucks.

 

every centerforce that i've seen go on a mustang has blown up. quite a few that have been on srt's have done the same. centerforce does not have a good repuation. their quality is spotty, but if you get a good one then you're fine.

i have a cm s4 and have no complaints.

 

The last centerforce clutch I bought was in 1990, so maby they suck now. I never had a problem with any of them. In fact, one of my girlfriends had an 89 LX 5.0, (It had a 351 in it), and she blew every clutch (among other things[sm=loveeyes.gif] ) she bought EXCEPT the Centerforce. All my buddies were running Hayes clutches in their Mustangs and Chevys, those were blowing constantly.

 

most of our mustangs run spec or king cobra's, never had a problem with either. i am just not a fan of centerforce, too much of a risk to me.

 

Does LUK make a performance clutch for our application? I guess I could internet surf. I have used them as OEM replacements only w/no problems.
When every one says "Blow" what exactly is the failure your describing? The friction disk fragmenting? I have never seen that, but I personally have had pressure plates fail internally and have had p-plate flywheel bolts break and the clutches just slip badly. All on other cars or trucks.

 

I'm not sure where you heard that about the Mopar, but I know of at least five Stage 3 cars using it with no issues, and four of them have piled more abouse than alomst any normal car would in a lifetime.

The Mopar Extreme Lightweight SRT-4, Dale Seeleys One Lap of America car, the Mopar SCCA Prorally cars, and a few folks on the SRTfroums. I know I plan on putting one in my Stage 3 car shortly.

 

i didn't want to use the mopar clutch because the specs on it are borderline for stage 3. it's only rated at like 350 tq, which is what s3 is rated at. those of us with other supporting mods that make more power are pushing the limits of that clutch. for a little more money i got a clutch that holds a lot more power, so i went with that.

 

Now, see, theres an objection to hang a hat on. In resposnse, I really do believe that the cltuch rating is liek the Stage kits "crank" power rating. A severe misunderstatment in the name of covering thoer asses under ridiculous conditions. We know the EL car made "360 lb-ft of torque between 3000 and 5000 rpm" in a Sport Compact Car dyno test. And that car has done a bunch of 1/4 mile testing. Of course, since it weighs less, the strain is less, but even so, I tihink it's a good unit.

Dale used the heck out of his car during One Lap, thousands of over the road miles, maybe 5 road courses, two skidpad events, and a drag run all in the course of a week. Believe me, I'm not knocking anyone elses choice, just pointing out that if it were a waste of money, it would not be able to handle this kind of use.

 

dale had put his s3 on two days before one lap, and while he did abuse the crap out of it, i am wondering what the long term results will be. most of the s3 guys that i am aware of that put it on early used other clutches.

i agree that i think the mopar clutch is good for more than the given ratings, but the quesiton is how much more is it good for? is it good for another 25tq? 50? who knows. that's the concern that i had. being borderline to begin with, and even with the understanding that it's under rated, the question still remains as to exactly what the true ratings of the clutch is. i thought it safer for me to use a clutch that is rated for a lot more power just for piece of mind.