This weekend I'm going to start putting in my T5. Currently I have a 3 finger pressure plate, and the T5 was equipped with a diaphragm pressure plate (trans came out of a '96 Mustang). My question is, do I need a throwout bearing specific to the T5, or one for the 3 finger pressure plate. Also, if the clutch is still in good shape, would I still be better off just switching to a diaphragm clutch now? Thanks. Edit-Alright, I got the pedals setup today and did some test fitting and I have an issue. The throwout bearing for the Mustang is slightly smaller than the Maverick one. From looking at it, it looks like it might not properly engage the clutch (lever style). It will sit on top of all 3 levers, but it doesn't contact as much of the levers' surface as the Maverick bearing. Can I solve this problem by using a diaphragm style Maverick clutch, with the Mustang throwout bearing? Is it actually a problem at all, or am I just being overcautious? I can't use a Mustang clutch, because it's an 11" and I have a flywheel for a 10" clutch. I could swap flyweels, but I'm trying to avoid that. Any ideas?
the 3 fingered "long style" or borg and beck as they are referred to can take harder hits and more punishment than a diaphragm style...but the latter is more user friendly Softer feel and less peadal effort. Plus the technology has come a long way since...soo the new style diaphragm ones are pretty darn good too.
Your bearing needs to match the type of fork you're using. A stock bearing for a diaphram clutch mounts in the middle of the fork which is pulled front. It won't mount to your push-type fork. In my car I'm running a CenterForce diaphram clutch with their special bearing that clips on to the original push fork. Also the bearings for diaphram clutches are usually shorter than the old Long-style bearings so you have to either use the special ones like CenterForce sells or put a spacer block under the bellhousing pivot.
The fork I'm using is from the Mustang, so hopefully the mustang bearing will work, the different clutch could be an issue though. If I get to that point tomorrow, and it doesn't come together right, I'll probably end up just buying a new clutch kit, and replacing everything at once.
Edit-Alright, I got the pedals setup today and did some test fitting and I have an issue. The throwout bearing for the Mustang is slightly smaller than the Maverick one. From looking at it, it looks like it might not properly engage the clutch (lever style). It will sit on top of all 3 levers, but it doesn't contact as much of the levers' surface as the Maverick bearing. Can I solve this problem by using a diaphragm style Maverick clutch, with the Mustang throwout bearing? Is it actually a problem at all, or am I just being overcautious? I can't use a Mustang clutch, because it's an 11" and I have a flywheel for a 10" clutch. I could swap flyweels, but I'm trying to avoid that. Any ideas?
Clutches, pressure plates, and throwout bearings were not specific to either Mustangs or Mavericks. They were just different sizes depending on intended use; 10", 10 1/2", 11".
The mustang bearing IS smaller diameter and will not work with a 3 lever pressure plate. It is made for a diaphragm style clutch. You would definitely need a different throwout bearing.But then there may not be enough room for a 3 lever clutch. Why not use a diaphragm clutch? The pedal effort will be much less and with modern day clutches probably more durable and less trouble. RS
After talking to Mean Maverick and finding out that my flywheel will accommodate both a 10" and 10.5" clutch, I think I'm gonna go ahead and switch to a king cobra clutch kit, and thus sidestep the problem entirely.
The King Cobra clutch kit is a good choice. !0% less foot pressure so they say than the Cobra kit. Since your flywheel can handle either 10" or 10.5" might as well go for the 10.5" RS
ive installed several king cobra kits in mustangs. they are not hard. if your is hard chances are your clutch cable was bad or the clutch quadrant was a cheap one.
I had a King cobra clutch in my Grabber it was hard(hydraulic throwout bearring),a friend of mine had a King Cobra clutch in his 5.0,snapped 3 cables in 6 months,put in a centerforce and never had a problem.Everybody I know that has had one sais the same thing,theyre hard as hell.BUT,they hold up good thats one thing I can say
I can also vouch for them being hard, harder than stock, but handled 400 hp 5500 rpm sidesteps quite well
while i dont think they're as hard as everyone says, they do hold alot better than stock units. but i look at pedal effort a little different since im a big guy it takes less effort for alor of things when ur 280
