Stock clutch or King Cobra

[roller4v]

I've got 93 T5 being rebuilt to go into my 83GT. I'm going to be doing a simultaneous, Tranny, Rearend, and exhaust upgrade to it.

I'm also upgrading to the 10.5 inch clutch.

But I can't make my mind up if I want to go with a stock replacement clutch from valeo or use their King Cobra.

Reasons to go with the stock unit.
1. Cost less (about 1/2 the cost)
2. Should be easier on my t5 (damned trannies are expensive 8O )
3. Its already an upgrade from the 10 I have now.
4. Lighter pedal

Reasons to go with King Cobra.
1. Will over the next few years start uping to power output of the engine. (the ever popular 300 Fly Wheel horsepower sticks in my head, more likely somewhere around 250)
2. the stock clutch may not handle that much horsepower.

Any opinions?

I've already rulled out Spec and FRPP HD. All other are too pricey that i've seen.

Thanks
STeve

[frankiesaysrelax]

Well, at least if you get the King Cobra clutch you won't have to worry about upgrading later. I don't know how much power the stock clutch can take.

[myler]

i would go with the king cobra, i just put one in my 85 and i can't tell you how happy i am with it. i live in atlanta so the traffic is bad most of the time and i can barely tell it being stiffer than the stocker. but the bite is ALOT better. i would just go ahead and get the cobra while you have the chance it will be worth it, it was to me.

[AaronATX]

The pedal effort really isnt noticable at all. There is really no reason not to get one unless the extra $$ is prohibative. Its not going to beat up on your transmission any worse than a stock clutch assuming you drive it "normally" :D

[Puter]

I have had a KC in my 84 since they first came out. It has ~55K street miles. I had a stocker in the 88. The 89 has a KC.

Go KC. Never look back.

[five-o-joe]

I have had a KC in my 84 since they first came out. It has ~55K street miles. I had a stocker in the 88. The 89 has a KC.

Go KC. Never look back.

Personally feel like there is a pretty noticeable difference in pedal pressure between the stock and King Cobra pressure plates. For what you are describing, I would recommend the Centerforce Dual Friction clutch. If you want a stock pedal feel and are only looking to harness up to 350 flywheel HP, I like the CFDF. IMHO....

[roller4v]

Thanks for the input folks but believe it or not I think i'm gonna go with the stock clutch. You may be asking yourself why?

My tranny rebuilder made the recommendation and he made a lot of sense. His take on the subject was that in his cars (mustangs) he runs the stock Valeo clutch because he want's the clutch to be the weakest link in the drive train not the transmission. He would rather change the clutch more often than break a transmission. This of course is for a mostly street driven car that will seldom if ever even have drag radials or slicks on it.

Seeing how i'm plopping down over $600 for a tranny I think i'm going to err on the side of caution for right now.

If the stock clutch doesn't hold up long enough for me I'll upgrade in the future.

Steve

[five-o-joe]

I think you will be fine. I ran 11s in the 1/4 on slicks with a stock clutch...

[50 Proof]

Your mechanic makes sense but I'd still get a king cobra. It is easy to slip a KC if you need to at the track. Try a Centerforce d/f clutch. You can't slip that thing if you tried. I have both. I have a KC in my 86 with a Tremec 3550. I have a centerforce in my 88 with the stock T5. The KC does not grab nearly as well as the centerforce does. But the KC is definately a good clutch, I wouldn't even consider a stocker.
If your just doing normal street driving, don't plan on powershifting or racing at the track, a KC clutch is an excellent choice with the T5 and will not break the T5. If you already bought the stocker, I personally would take it back. But thats just what I would do.

[Puter]

Personally feel like there is a pretty noticeable difference in pedal pressure between the stock and King Cobra pressure plates.

The KC in the 84 was bought right when they were first listed in the FMS mags. This had to be 7 years ago? Anyway, the pedal effort is very light.

The one in the vert is very new. I understand they redesigned the pressure plate in the KC some years back. Yet, it's pedal effort is still easier than the stocker, though not by as much as the previous one.

Just my experiences...

I also disagree with making the clutch the weakest link. That would hopefully be the universal joint.

[1985MustangGT]

King Cobra = stock clutch disc + stiffer/thicker pressure plate than stock.

[frankiesaysrelax]

King Cobra = stock clutch disc + stiffer/thicker pressure plate than stock.

The ones I've seen have five springs around the center and the stock ones have only four. Otherwise the friction material looks the same. I don't know what difference an extra spring makes, but the discs are visibly different.

[v8only]

I agree about the clutch being the weakest link. the clutch will give out b4 those u joints. the first thing many people do is go out and put a spec stage 2 behind a stock t5. what happens? they blow out that t5. t5's are like glass houses when equipped with clutches like the spec.

if you're running the stock 83 engine without a bunch of mods, the oem 10.5 inch clutch will be more than plenty, as it's a clutch designed for 225 horse, and you're putting out much less than that, + the 10.5 can handle a few bolt ons.

the kc, is onl'y a slight upgrade beyond stock, no worries about it breaking anything, seriously. I'd personally get the kc clutch, but you should be more than fine with a stocker.

[myler]

i'll have to go ahead and dissagree with the clutch being hte weakest link. does make since but you are going to be losing alot of time and going through alot of clutches.

[v8only]

blue85, in the heart of debate, this is a huge must. would you rather go through transmissions or clutches? nothing in the driveline is physically capable of being that weak link with the exception of the clutch.

the last thing you want is a weak u joint and having a driveshaft rip through your floorpan and tear your leg off. this is what a lot of people don't understand when they order super stiff clutches. It's important that your clutch slips and gives a little, if it doesn't, your tranny is in deep doo doo.

[qtrracer]

I have the KC in my 86 street and sometime auto-cross car. Love it - great pedal even in traffic. Given the PITA replacing clutches is, I would get the KC "upgrade" especially if the car is primarily a streeter subject to occasional "spirited" driving. Just my .02.

[roller4v]

Well you've guys have convinced me. This looks like a good price on a king cobra cluth. Almost Too good if ya know what I mean.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2451385497&category=33730

[AaronATX]

that clutch sounds alot more menacing than it really is. There isnt much "king" to it. Its a slightly better than stock replacement. You'll be satisfied and your transmisison wont know the difference.

[quick83]

Why not the FRPP clutch?? what is wrong with it? to much money? not enough grab? to stiff petal? slips to much? burns out to quickly? please give some reasons why u all would not get this one.

[v8only]

i'm running that clutch. It's literally identical to the king cobra performance wise, in fact, it shares the same disc. pressure plate is different and is considerably stiffer, so while it has the same performance, if you're not strong on the left leg, this may not be the clutch for you.