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Transmission and clutch downgrades

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SeattleBoss

TrackAttack 9-23-13
88
1
It's been a few years since I posted anything on this site so please forgive me if I missed the answer to my questions. I had to stop tracking my 2013 Boss seven years ago because of health issues, which unfortunately became a problem shortly after "upgrading" the clutch to a Hays Dragonclaw, installing a MGW shifter, and having the factory transmission rebuilt after tearing up the innards on the track when the clutch pedal stuck to the floor. Right now the car is nearly undriveable on the street. The clutch and transmission need to be put back into something close to stock with perhaps some increase in reliability and ease of use. I may be looking for some unobtanium here, but I'd like to drive the car maybe another year before passing it on to some lucky buyer. Any suggestions for parts and/or mechanic would be gratefully appreciated. Someone in the Seattle to Portland area would be a gift.
Thanks,
Bruce
 
I've heard good things about Exedy FMK1026 if you just want a nice street clutch. According to what they say, it has more organic material surface area than the stock clutch for better holding capability without changing material types.

RockAuto currently has the best price I could find. Summit Racing also does a price match if you prefer to get things from them but want RockAuto's price (which is $90 less).

Original Ford clutch disc for photo comparison.
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Any of you guys have opinions on the Centerforce Dual Friction? I was thinking about using one of those...
I hear this one has pretty good bite while maintaining street manners and an easy clutch pedal.
I've heard good things about the Exedy also.
 
I would think that most organic clutches will work great on the street. I was not in search of street ability (although at the time my car was street legal) when I did the clutch about 2 years ago. I went with a Spec Stage 3 (pucks, but with springs). The street manners were horibble...

Over this last winter I rebuilt the transmission, and the Spec had broken all of the damper springs, so I went with the Exedy Hyper Single. Although it is also a puck clutch, with springs, I find the engagement very good for the street, and it holds fast on track. Never a whimper.
 
Although it is also a puck clutch, with springs, I find the engagement very good for the street, and it holds fast on track.
I've read a lot about that one here on TMO, but I've seen a couple guys complain that it's too harsh for the street. Think it'd become a headache in an LA traffic jam?
 
I would characterize the Exedy Hyper Single as having a stiffer feel than a stock clutch for sure. Mine doesn't chatter on first gear starts. Note that my car is not street legal and is track only at this point, although when I installed the clutch it was street legal.

I have removed the stock assist spring from my clutch and use what would be considered an actual return spring. I didn't like the design of the stock assist spring. I think it would be easier with the stock assist spring.

If the car is going to be a street car, I would recommend sticking with an organic clutch, along the lines of the stock clutch.
 
@BackInBlack asked about the Centerforce Dual Friction. I used one in my old daily driver / autocross / TSD rally '89 Escort GT and was very happy with it. Pretty much stock pedal effort, smooth engagement with good holding power, no problems in stop-and-go traffic, and held up to the abuse of autocross launches and power shifting. Lasted through close to ten years of being used as my local club's Autocrosser of the Year Runoff car, where about 20 class champ drivers hot-lap the car for 3 runs each, and fastest time is crowned club's overall season champ -- that's an entire season of autocross runs in one day. Granted, that was on a nearly-stock 1.9L 4-cyl engine, but the clutch was designed for that power, and I'd think the Mustang version is designed for Mustang power.
 

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