Clutch recommendations?

Hey guys,

I plan on ordering up a new clutch and flywheel for my 90 coupe. My rear main seal is leaking and since the clutch is pretty old might as well replace it.

I was told it's a Ford king cobra clutch. Planned on going with it again, unless a spec 1 or something else would be better?

Thanks.

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I have a Ford Racing King Cobra clutch in mine and like it.


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BlksvtCobra01 said:

I have a Ford Racing King Cobra clutch in mine and like it.


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Awesome. I think that's the route I'll go again.

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Centerforce will be the way I go, when that time comes. Ran it on my blown 88Koupe and loved it.

I'm in a similar spot, I'm leaning on going with the Mcleod Street Pro and aluminum flywheel on my AFR 165 build.

I see many people liking the Centerforce clutch but my experience was very different. I put two in a 67 big block, not big power at all and never really pushed hard. The pucks came off of both clutches and Centerforce would do nothing about it. No more Centerforce for me after that.
I will say however that the clutch did feel really good as far as pressure and release on a street car.

I don't think you can wrong with the Ford Racing King Cobra clutch. It's got a solid reputation. I would stay away from the Ford Racing Heavy Duty clutch, I had it and hated it...pedal effort was really high for a daily driver street car. I've also had good luck with the 1993 Cobra clutch and Centerforce.

If you are going to change your rear main seal. You may want to check into the seal saver sleeve. That seems to do the trick for high mileage cars. Many times changing the seal out won't stop the leak.

The King Cobra clutch (Valeo) is a nice piece. I always liked the firm pedal.
Had one in my 89 coupe, my 97 GT, and my 98 Cobra before the recent build. Make sure you grab a good t.o.b. I'd recommend a Timken.

98 svt said:

The King Cobra clutch (Valeo) is a nice piece. I always liked the firm pedal.
Had one in my 89 coupe, my 97 GT, and my 98 Cobra before the recent build. Make sure you grab a good t.o.b. I'd recommend a Timken.

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I'm wondering if this is actually a king cobra clutch? It just seems so cheap.

I'd likely buy a Ford Racing Tob.

VALEO KING COBRA STAGE 1 CLUTCH KIT & FLYWHEEL 81-95 FORD MUSTANG GT SVT 5.0L V8 | eBay

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Bdubbs said:

I'm wondering if this is actually a king cobra clutch? It just seems so cheap.

I'd likely buy a Ford Racing Tob.

VALEO KING COBRA STAGE 1 CLUTCH KIT & FLYWHEEL 81-95 FORD MUSTANG GT SVT 5.0L V8 | eBay

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Yeah they were always a good bang for the buck. The description sure sounds like it. I don't remember what they physically look like though.
There never used to be a stage 1/stage 2. I'd be willing to bet the stage 1 is the original KC clutch tbough.

98 svt said:

Yeah they were always a good bang for the buck. The description sure sounds like it. I don't remember what they physically look like though.
There never used to be a stage 1/stage 2. I'd be willing to bet the stage 1 is the original KC clutch tbough.

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Cool I may give it a try. That's quite a good price and it includes a flywheel.

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Yeah that is super cheap with the flywheel. Mine never came with a flywheel. Always had to get it resurfaced.

I am using a centerforce in my 302 ranger, it works well, only has 306rwhp but takes the abuse I give it and I like the pedal feel(hydraulic not cable though)


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It's been about 16 years since I used a FMS King Cobra, but I've had 2 of them. From what I remember, the pressure plates were stamped with the Valeo name and had a yellow painted dot alignment mark. They were also around $169 for just the clutch kit, no flywheel.

I'm not seeing the Valeo name stamped in the pressure plate photos. These could be knockoff's.

Might want to look at SPEC clutches.

9397SVTs said:

It's been about 16 years since I used a FMS King Cobra, but I've had 2 of them. From what I remember, the pressure plates were stamped with the Valeo name and had a yellow painted dot alignment mark. They were also around $169 for just the clutch kit, no flywheel.

I'm not seeing the Valeo name stamped in the pressure plate photos. These could be knockoff's.

Might want to look at SPEC clutches.

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They seem to be sold everywhere for roughly the same price though. That's what I found weird.
Edit: I found this thread which would tell me to avoid the new kits.
https://www.svtperformance.com/index.php?threads/770083/

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-7560-a302n/make/ford/model/mustang/year/1990

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-700800/make/ford/model/mustang/year/1990

Look at these and read the specs and the Q&A sections.

According to the FMS catalog, the King Cobra is no longer available. They do have a HD version, which is the A302N.

9397SVTs said:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-7560-a302n/make/ford/model/mustang/year/1990

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-700800/make/ford/model/mustang/year/1990

Look at these and read the specs and the Q&A sections.

According to the FMS catalog, the King Cobra is no longer available. They do have a HD version, which is the A302N.

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Thanks for the links. The first one you linked is the one I'm considering buying.

Otherwise I'm not sure what else to try. Too many options.

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For my 89GT it was king cobra and then switched out to the centerforce because of the centrifugal weights design. It was new technology back then. I was happy with both.

For my 03 Cobra it was a spec stage 3. Hated it. Went with a McLeod dual disk and love it.

I'm going to put a McLeod in my 65 when I get to that point.

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Black Gold 380R said:

For my 89GT it was king cobra and then switched out to the centerforce because of the centrifugal weights design. It was new technology back then. I was happy with both.

For my 03 Cobra it was a spec stage 3. Hated it. Went with a McLeod dual disk and love it.

I'm going to put a McLeod in my 65 when I get to that point.

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Thanks for the info. I have a centerforce twin disc dyad in my cobra. I like it, but don't need anything like that for my 90.

Too many projects for this car. Likely the power steering rack upgrade first. Way to much slop in the steering.

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Why mess with something good I'll just stick with a king cobra it works great has for years and you'll know what you're getting and what to expect of it.