Recently installed a Centerforce Stage II clutch in my 2002 ZX3. The rear seal was leaking, and the repair was done under warantee. While they had it apart I saked them to take a look at the clutch. They told me both the disc & pressure plate had burn marks on them. They said it'd be all right for awhile, but fairly soon it'd need replacing. I got to thinking about the time I was playing a gig about 30 miles from home. The cable came off my shifter & I was stuck in 4th gear. I drove home that way. HMmmmmmmm!That couldn't have helped anything.
I had the work done at my dealer. I've been patronizing them for 12 years. They're a small store, with only 4 techs, but their service dept. is absolutely kick-ass. I shopped around for CF clutches on line and at various local stores. The lowest price I found was $210 + shipping. Reluctant to wait, I asked the dealer to check the price & get me one from Ford Racing. To my surprise, it was $185. Who'd have thunk it? I love these guys!
It's been in for a week now. The effort is very light, really just like the original equipment clutch. It grabs much close to the floor, and there's less freeplay at the top. That takes a couple of days to get used to. It's as easy as the oem to drive smoothly, but if you're careless when shifting & let the pedal up a little fast, it comes in with a bang. Feels like you got rear-ended.
So far, I'm delighted with it. I hope it holds up well.
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Thanks for the info - I'm getting to the desperate stages of needing a clutch!
I'm interested in the CF clutch, but I'm extremely afraid of upgrading too far. I've heard horror stories of fried trannies due to a clutch grabing too well and the OEM tranny not able to take it.
From what I get, not sure if I'm correct on this, so help me out fellas - the stage II is technically just a good step above the OEM. Can anyone confirm this and do we have other clutches out there that are similar in quality? I do NOT want a duel friction. I'm looking for as good, preferably slightly better than the OEM. Mine has always been crap...as many of you know I used to have to share my car with an asshole who couldn't drive a stick.
Thanks and when I do have my clutch in I'll offer up a product review as well.
Keep us updated as you break this baby in - I'm curious about it's lifespan and any noticable wear feel.
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I think your fears about the tranny might be unfounded. The 5 spd is a very good & strong gearbox. It's pretty damn stout. The stage II is actually 2 steps above stock. CF has a stage I as well. I don't think there's much, if any difference in price.
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Chelly02 wrote: Thanks for the info - I'm getting to the desperate stages of needing a clutch!
I'm interested in the CF clutch, but I'm extremely afraid of upgrading too far. I've heard horror stories of fried trannies due to a clutch grabing too well and the OEM tranny not able to take it.
From what I get, not sure if I'm correct on this, so help me out fellas - the stage II is technically just a good step above the OEM. Can anyone confirm this and do we have other clutches out there that are similar in quality? I do NOT want a duel friction. I'm looking for as good, preferably slightly better than the OEM. Mine has always been crap...as many of you know I used to have to share my car with an asshole who couldn't drive a stick.
Thanks and when I do have my clutch in I'll offer up a product review as well.
Keep us updated as you break this baby in - I'm curious about it's lifespan and any noticable wear feel.
oh the horror stories!!!(was one of the stories from me because of my blown tranny???)....hehe chelly...well, i have the centerforce dual friction installed on my zx3, and it's beautiful...although after a while my tranny couldn't handle it, and that's one of the reasons my tranny went out...now that i have the new tranny it drives beautifull....it's kinda like Mr. V said...if you shift hard, when you're driving/racing, it the clutch grabs really fast....like as if there is no catch point....i love it...
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I don't understand how it could be too tough on the tranny either? Since in reality it only contacts the flywheel. Which then just transmits that spinning energy to the transmission. There are people running Spec stage 3's with no problems on the transmission. The problem with the transmission may come from too much power, but shouldn't come from the clutch.
One story we heard was that a duel friction grabbed so hard is took out 2 trannies before determining it was the clutch. I beleve the car had high miles there for the first tranny went(old tranny, these things happen). When the second went it was determined that the clutch was grabbing to good and the non slipping of parts caused the tranny to kinda constantly bang into gears, not that the driver could feel the banging. It could have been the driver also, you never really know. Stuff is bound to break if parts go from still to really fast all the time. Give me a big block car and 1 day and I can probably break at least 1 brand new U-joint.
she is also not racing the car and only needs/wants a slight increas in performance out of the clutch.
Well all, you may hate me for this, but the experience I've had in the past with Ford Transmissions has been less than favorable. The only reason I ever owned my Taurus was because it came into my dad's shop for a new tranny and the guy didn't want to spend the $2k to have it replaced. I got that car for $500 and one of the guys there built is up and all I had to do was pay for parts (Another $300)
Also, in my dad's nearly 40 years of working in the automotive industry, he sees more Fords in for transmission work than any other make out there with Dodge coming in at a close 2nd. So, I'm very leary of modifying anything that could have a potential effect on my tranny...even if it be remote.
I won't be racing this car anytime soon, but if I chose to down the road, there will be a lot more modification done to it, including transmission work.
Thanks all!
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The MTX-75 is a rock. I understand your weariness, and trust me, some of them show their weakness. The ATX for example. But the MTX-75 is used in this same form in the RS, and we all know it has a bit more giddyup. I can see how a quick take up might be rough. But I don't think a stage II would cause that problem.
That couldn't have helped anything.
