Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: New clutch question (Read 1764 times) previous topic - next topic

New clutch question

I need a new clutch and through research on the site, ive read that most people run a centerforce, spec or king cobra clutch but all those threads were older though. As of right now im leaning towards centerforce and getting a firewall adjuster. so i was wondering if anybody has any tips or new news on clutches or a different setup i should look at. Any help is appreciated.
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

New clutch question

Reply #1 –
or do i even need a firewall adjuster? can i just use the stock cable with nothing else done to it?
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

New clutch question

Reply #2 –
IIRC, the biggest bitch about the t5 is the flywheel being so easy wear out.  tom showed me one once, couldnt help but laugh at how tiny they are.

New clutch question

Reply #3 –
A firewall adjuster won't work withe a stock brake booster on a regular bird or cat. I'm not sure about a TC though. Isn't an 87 TC a hydraulic clutch?
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

New clutch question

Reply #4 –
it looks like a spec stage 3+ is what im going with. quick question though, is there anything i need to make it work or can i just put it in and go?
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

New clutch question

Reply #5 –
You won't need a firewall adjuster seeing how your 87 TC has a hydraulic clutch in it. Unless someone converted it before you bought it, which is doubtful.
Be careful removing the trans. You do not want to break the spring clips off the clutch fork.
88 TC 5speed, 168000+ miles, stock 2.3T long block, ported RFE6 exhaust, Evergreen T3 running 15#'s.
Up next: FMIC, fresh air intake, ported intakes, ported big valve head.

New clutch question

Reply #6 –
alright, thank you for that tip and help. its appreciated
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

New clutch question

Reply #7 –
That's a pretty stiff clutch for what you have. Do you still have hydraulic?
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

New clutch question

Reply #8 –
I dunno much about the 2.3T engines but i know the spec 3 can wreak havoc on a 5.0 based engine.  Its kinda like an on/off switch.
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

New clutch question

Reply #9 –
well i have a stock clutch right now but im also building for the future because im putting a built ported head and a big cam with a 50 trim turbo hopefully all by winter so thats why im getting such a clutch.
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

New clutch question

Reply #10 –
Lets try again, do you have a hydraulic clutch or cable?
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

New clutch question

Reply #11 –
Quote from: jangus;321693
You won't need a firewall adjuster seeing how your 87 TC has a hydraulic clutch in it. Unless someone converted it before you bought it, which is doubtful.
Be careful removing the trans. You do not want to break the spring clips off the clutch fork.


it sounds like a have a hydraulic clutch
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

New clutch question

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Kitz Kat;320867
A firewall adjuster won't work withe a stock brake booster on a regular bird or cat. I'm not sure about a TC though. Isn't an 87 TC a hydraulic clutch?


Correct...and..correct, lol.

Swap in a '93 Mustang Cobra booster to use a firewall cable adjuster, if you end up going to a cable clutch. You'll need a bell from an '86 or older TC, as the the '87 and '88s had hydraulic.

As for the clutch itself..I couldn't tell you. I'd probably not go with a very bad-ass unit until it got to the point that you absolutely need it though..just my 2 cents' worth. :D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

New clutch question

Reply #13 –
where is the brake booster? and how do i know if a clutch as cable or hydraulic? im looking at the clutches on stinger and it doesnt say what it is. so would i be better off getting a spec 2+?

thank you for your info
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke: