351W with T5 Clutch

[MustangManiac]

I am searching for a clutch for a 351W and T5 setup. I am going to go with the Centerforce Dual Friction clutch but I am wondering, does the clutch for the fox body bolt right onto the 351 flywheel? If not, does the throwout bearing have to match the clutch or the transmission?

Thanks

[2000 roush]

I am searching for a clutch for a 351W and T5 setup. I am going to go with the Centerforce Dual Friction clutch but I am wondering, does the clutch for the fox body bolt right onto the 351 flywheel? If not, does the throwout bearing have to match the clutch or the transmission?

Thanks

What size flywheel do you have? It depends on if the flywheel has multiple locating pin holes.

[MustangManiac]

I'm going to order one of those at the same time. Should any aftermarket flywheel have these extra locating holes?

[2000 roush]

Most of them do, I have a Ram flywheel in one car and an alum Fidanza in the other and they both have 351s but they have tko and Tremec 3550 trans. The 3550 has the same input spline count as a T5.

[Hack]

I wouldn't put any more than a King Cobra clutch in front of a T5 unless the T5 is built way beyond stock strength. In fact, what I would recommend for your application is a stock replacement clutch from O-Reilly's. You really want the clutch to slip before the transmission breaks. It's cheaper to replace a clutch than a transmission, and clutches fail gradually, allowing you to make it home rather than stranding you out on the road somewhere. If you put a beefy, high-torque capable clutch in front of that T5, expect a very short life for the transmission.

[5.0stang85]

I wouldn't put any more than a King Cobra clutch in front of a T5 unless the T5 is built way beyond stock strength. In fact, what I would recommend for your application is a stock replacement clutch from O-Reilly's. You really want the clutch to slip before the transmission breaks. It's cheaper to replace a clutch than a transmission, and clutches fail gradually, allowing you to make it home rather than stranding you out on the road somewhere. If you put a beefy, high-torque capable clutch in front of that T5, expect a very short life for the transmission.

This is half true.. the key to stock T5 handling a beefed up motor/clutch is to check the T5's tolerances (making sure the input shaft is tight, shift forks not bent, shift fork pads not missing, ect..)

not shifting the trans faster than it can handle, the use of a good fluid in it also helps

plenty of people run in the 11's with stock T5's.. I'll be one of them by the end of this summer.. I have a Center Force Dual Friction clutch and run RP SynchroMax in my T5 and since it was recently rebuilt by someone I am fairly confident it should last behind my combo

[TRDon]

tight input shaft and straight shift forks will not save a T5 from tearing the weak 3rd gear tooth by tooth because of 450ft/lbs of TQ. Stop posting in the shop talk.

[MustangManiac]

I understand that. I don't think I would put a stock T5 behind anything. Sure there is the chance that it might not commit suicide, but I'm not willing to take that chance. I am ordering a G Force T5.

[Hack]

This is half true.. the key to stock T5 handling a beefed up motor/clutch is to check the T5's tolerances (making sure the input shaft is tight, shift forks not bent, shift fork pads not missing, ect..)

not shifting the trans faster than it can handle, the use of a good fluid in it also helps

plenty of people run in the 11's with stock T5's.. I'll be one of them by the end of this summer.. I have a Center Force Dual Friction clutch and run RP SynchroMax in my T5 and since it was recently rebuilt by someone I am fairly confident it should last behind my combo

Feel free to run a T5 in your 11 second car. Maybe if the car is light enough the trans will live for a few passes. I will never recommend a T5 in a performance application. Some of what you say is somewhat correct, but you can't get around the size of the gears and shafts in the T5 and the strength (or lack thereof) of the case. Even the input and output -arguably two of the stronger points in a T5 - are not strong enough to live long behind a built 351W.

It is totally ridiculous and irresponsible to recommend a T5 for this application or to argue that it's a good idea to use one.

[Slow35th]

This is half true.. the key to stock T5 handling a beefed up motor/clutch is to check the T5's tolerances (making sure the input shaft is tight, shift forks not bent, shift fork pads not missing, ect..)

not shifting the trans faster than it can handle, the use of a good fluid in it also helps

plenty of people run in the 11's with stock T5's.. I'll be one of them by the end of this summer.. I have a Center Force Dual Friction clutch and run RP SynchroMax in my T5 and since it was recently rebuilt by someone I am fairly confident it should last behind my combo

yah ok.