another: clutch recommendations thread

[Venom SHO s7]

I've researched the topic as much as i could and heres what I've come up with.
The ceramic TOB seems to be a MUST when you do a clutch job, and its on SHOnut for $95.
The stock FORD clutch seems to have good feedback as being able to get descent grip and smoothness.

Autozone sells a clutch kit that seems to be made by Valeo which apparently is the one who makes the stock FORD unit.

Southbend Clutches have good feedback. The ones I've seen used most are the Rally (which i beleive was $280) and TZ series ($390 i beleive), and the DxD (something like mid to high $500 ) series that has some other material which is suppose to be really good (cant remember the name)

Also heard good feedback on the fibertuff (i think thats the name) units from SHOnut.

I've read about flywheels, but i beleive the cheaper ones were $300.
And I cant really justify spending $300 plus dollars on just a flywheel, as much as i would like to get a lighter one.
I also read that the early year SHOs had the small 9.25 (i beleive) clutch which was just crap so FORD replaced it with a 9.75 clutch. But i think i read somewhere that you have to check the size of the flywheel or something like that to see which size the car has. (you take off the starter and check the width of the flywheel i think)

So my questions then are...

Will any clutch kit made for a SHO, work on a 90 SHO? or do i have to check the size of the flywheel (or whatever it was) and get a kit according to that?

If I buy the kit at Autozone for $280, or maybe the Rally from Southbend, will it come with a good TOB? or do i have to buy ceramic one seperate for an extra $95

and....
Which clutch kit that you've used, would you recommend for a SHO that:
has a catless Y pipe (soon to be catted, to get rid of the nasty rasp), catback exhaust, and is lightly driven and possibly be used for racing once in a while, but NOTHING like burnouts or 3K rmp clutch dumps or any abuse.

And future mods will likely only be a 75mm or 80mm MAF, and possibly extrude horned intake and BBBs.

I am more concerned with a clutch that will LAST, while giving good grip with a feel as close to stock as possible.

I dont want to spend more than $400, but if a cluch will outlast and outperform another one for a reasonable amount, ill spend the extra bucks.

Based on what i've read, Im thinking of the kit available at Autozone or the Rally series from Southbend, unless you think theres a better choice.

Thanks in advance for ANY helpful FEEDBACK, and sory for the long post.
~Miguel

 

[masho95]

Based on your mods I would still suggest a stock clutch kit. It should have enough grip for your occasional race and the mods that you have.

 

[Shoaz]

Well, you're asking the right questions and it looks like you've done a fair amount of homework.

IMHO a stock clutch will be fine for your application. The updated TOBs that should come with the new kits (if it has a quill sleeve, it's the good one) are fine as far as wear and reliability are concerned.

Also, the AZ kit should bolt up to your flywheel. My understanding is that the AZ kit comes with essentially everything, although I've never used one myself.

I would recommend that you get your flywheel resurfaced (ground) during the clutch change.

 

[Mike Kopstain]

Agreed, you shouldn't need anything over a stock kit.

 

[TYSHO]

Don't forget, the AutoZone kit has LIFETIME warranty!

Here's what you need: NU0122RK $264.99+tax

They have there listings all mixed up on which brand, but it comes in the DynaPak box and IS a Valeo kit w/FORD stamped on it.

Here's what's included: clutch disc, pressure plate w/bolts, TOB w/quill sleeve, and alignment tool.

I don't know the deal, but for the newer model SHO's, or at least 91 & up, they have NU0122 listed for the kit and it's wrong. Has some big squared looking TOB w/out a quill sleeve.

 

[Venom SHO s7]

THANKS everyone for their reply.
Ok, based on your recommendations, Im just gonna go to Autozone and get that clutch kit.
again, thanks everybody for the quick helpful responses.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Josh has the OEM stock clutch kits for $185 http://www.shonutperformance.com

 

[Venom SHO s7]

Really?
I went to the site and clicked on "clutch" and see the individual parts like the disk, TOB and pressure plate, but not the whole kit.

I also thought the stock clutch kits used to be $219 delivered but were no longer available?
... or am i just not seeing it on the website?

 

[jelloslug]

Josh does not have any of the cheaper Ford kits anymore. I asked just the other day.

 

[masho95]

Josh does not have any of the cheaper Ford kits anymore. I asked just the other day.

No but you can buy the OEM Valeo disc seperate. And grab a HD PP and ceramic TOB to go with it, which it never a bad idea.

 

[Blue-By-U]

You should heavily consider purchasing the ceramic TOB regardless of what clutch you decide to use.

 

[masho95]

You should heavily consider purchasing the ceramic TOB regardless of what clutch you decide to use.

Listen to the superhero.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

yes, the ceramic TOB is a must.

And based upon the info in the original post, I vote for a stock disc/pp as well

Have you considered a lightweight flywheel? I have a stock disc/pp and ceramic TOB, and had my flywheel lightened to 17#.

Sweet sweet revs, so much difference!

 

[Devin]

Where would you go to have the flywheel reground? And how much would it cost? (sorry for the hijack)

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

I would add one thing to your answer list:

18 inch magnaflow resonator added to your exhaust will make you love the sound again. I had the rasp with the ss catless with dynomax catback and that cheap cigar resonator that came with it....add the aluminized magnaflow from hottexhaust.com....72 bucks shipped to your house. another 45 to have it installed. You will love it. I did. I know im gonna need a new clutch now cause I slam on it all the time with the sweet sweet sound i hear.

 

[AutoSHO]

add the aluminized magnaflow from hottexhaust.com....72 bucks shipped to your house. another 45 to have it installed.

Pair of high flow Carsound (Magnaflow) Cats - $100 from Ebay.

Installation: Free if you have an SS Y-pipe.

Seems like a better deal to me.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Where would you go to have the flywheel reground? And how much would it cost? (sorry for the hijack)

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=1640&highlight=flywheel+trip

 

[DHMag]

Don't forget, the AutoZone kit has LIFETIME warranty!

Here's what you need: NU0122RK $264.99+tax

They have there listings all mixed up on which brand, but it comes in the DynaPak box and IS a Valeo kit w/FORD stamped on it.

Here's what's included: clutch disc, pressure plate w/bolts, TOB w/quill sleeve, and alignment tool.

I don't know the deal, but for the newer model SHO's, or at least 91 & up, they have NU0122 listed for the kit and it's wrong. Has some big squared looking TOB w/out a quill sleeve.

i installed the NU0122 kit in my SHO. had to remove the quill sleeve. havent had any problems with the TOB thus far, over 10K miles and counting.

 

[Shoaz]

Where would you go to have the flywheel reground? And how much would it cost? (sorry for the hijack)

Many auto parts places also have basic machining capability, I've been taking mine to NAPA. Usually runs $30-$40, but shop around.

 

[Shoaz]

i installed the NU0122 kit in my SHO. had to remove the quill sleeve. havent had any problems with the TOB thus far, over 10K miles and counting.

The purpose of the quill sleeve is to provide a stable shaft for the TOB to move around on. The numerous and consistent failures of TOBs without the quill sleeve is a result of the aluminum galling on the shaft, not necessarily wear of the TOB. When the shaft galls the TOB doesn't stay well aligned with the PP fingers and starts to wear into them. Many, many people can attest to the stiff pedal and subsequent failure of the PP fingers and TOB.

If at all possible always use the quill sleeve and a compatible TOB.