Hey everyone, new on this forum so hello! I have read a lot of good stuff on here before joining! Hopefully some of you can understand my problem and lend some advise! This is a long write up so be patient. Quick history, my car is a 2014 GT that has some bolt ons and is making 440whp and 400wtq and that is probably where it will stay until I win the lottery. I bought the car brand new and it currently has 35k miles on it.
Last summer, I installed long tubes and wanted a better clutch since the stock one would stick to the floor at high rpm and has the same issues everyone else has had with the stock clutch. Since my car is a summer daily and only goes to a track event for 1 weekend every summer, I didn't want to put in a super aggressive clutch. I went with a SPEC Stage 1 organic disc and their matching SPEC steel flywheel and a new OEM Ford throw out bearing and pilot bearing. Install went fine, but from the second I moved the car out from my shop, I started to second guess my purchase. I HATE trash talking companies or products but this clutch has made me hate my car and before I spend a ton of cash and time on a new replacement I wanted to ask everyone on here for some opinions. Clutch currently has about 1500 miles on it and these are my complaints...
1. The point in the pedal travel when the clutch starts to bite and move the car is honestly terrible. The pedal comes up half way from the floor before anything happens and the clutch engages like a on-off switch. The stock clutch would be a lot more linear of an engagement and I did enjoy that. The pedal effort is more with the SPEC and I understand with any upgraded clutch that will be normal, but this pedal is HEAVY even with the factory assist spring still in place. My Termi had a lighter clutch pedal with an aftermarket clutch.
2. This clutch would shutter the car when accelerating from a stop something terrible! It has gotten better with some break in miles on it but still does it. And yes, all parts were cleaned up well before any were installed.
3. When driving at 55-65mph in 6th, this clutch is the loudest part of the car. It sounds like every bearing in the transmission is shot. Accelerate up to 70+ and the noise goes away, but on roads with 55 or 60 speed limits, I almost have to drive it in 5th because the clutch groaning noise is so bad in 6th.
Overall I am not happy with anything about this clutch. I went with a mild Stage 1 organic disc so I would not have to deal with an overly aggressive clutch but this thing behaves like a puck clutch trying to hold huge power. SPEC only warranties these things for 90 days and I understand that they will likely tell me I am fu***d.
Has anyone else had similar experiences with the Spec Stage 1 or is mine just an oddball? I understand there are some sacrifices with performance clutches, but this thing makes me think I have sacrificed all of my children and it still isn't enough. So... do I need to put a few more miles on it and hope for the best? Should I say to hell with it and try a different brand? The biggest things I would like is a smoother engagement as the pedal comes off the floor, doesn't need to be like the stock clutch, but I don't want it to be a switch. Also the driveline groaning noise is horrendous. No one in my area has any 5.0s with upgraded clutches so I have no idea where to start with choosing a different brand. Any advise or suggestions would be a big help, because I don't really want to keep trying clutches until I find something I am happier with. Thanks for your time!
Last summer, I installed long tubes and wanted a better clutch since the stock one would stick to the floor at high rpm and has the same issues everyone else has had with the stock clutch. Since my car is a summer daily and only goes to a track event for 1 weekend every summer, I didn't want to put in a super aggressive clutch. I went with a SPEC Stage 1 organic disc and their matching SPEC steel flywheel and a new OEM Ford throw out bearing and pilot bearing. Install went fine, but from the second I moved the car out from my shop, I started to second guess my purchase. I HATE trash talking companies or products but this clutch has made me hate my car and before I spend a ton of cash and time on a new replacement I wanted to ask everyone on here for some opinions. Clutch currently has about 1500 miles on it and these are my complaints...
1. The point in the pedal travel when the clutch starts to bite and move the car is honestly terrible. The pedal comes up half way from the floor before anything happens and the clutch engages like a on-off switch. The stock clutch would be a lot more linear of an engagement and I did enjoy that. The pedal effort is more with the SPEC and I understand with any upgraded clutch that will be normal, but this pedal is HEAVY even with the factory assist spring still in place. My Termi had a lighter clutch pedal with an aftermarket clutch.
2. This clutch would shutter the car when accelerating from a stop something terrible! It has gotten better with some break in miles on it but still does it. And yes, all parts were cleaned up well before any were installed.
3. When driving at 55-65mph in 6th, this clutch is the loudest part of the car. It sounds like every bearing in the transmission is shot. Accelerate up to 70+ and the noise goes away, but on roads with 55 or 60 speed limits, I almost have to drive it in 5th because the clutch groaning noise is so bad in 6th.
Overall I am not happy with anything about this clutch. I went with a mild Stage 1 organic disc so I would not have to deal with an overly aggressive clutch but this thing behaves like a puck clutch trying to hold huge power. SPEC only warranties these things for 90 days and I understand that they will likely tell me I am fu***d.
Has anyone else had similar experiences with the Spec Stage 1 or is mine just an oddball? I understand there are some sacrifices with performance clutches, but this thing makes me think I have sacrificed all of my children and it still isn't enough. So... do I need to put a few more miles on it and hope for the best? Should I say to hell with it and try a different brand? The biggest things I would like is a smoother engagement as the pedal comes off the floor, doesn't need to be like the stock clutch, but I don't want it to be a switch. Also the driveline groaning noise is horrendous. No one in my area has any 5.0s with upgraded clutches so I have no idea where to start with choosing a different brand. Any advise or suggestions would be a big help, because I don't really want to keep trying clutches until I find something I am happier with. Thanks for your time!
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