Spaceman, i needed the performance clutch because i like to do a little street racing, and the nitrous was smoking the oem clutch. If you don't have lots of performance mods then you don't really need a performance clutch, however and oem replacement clutch from the dealer was $300, and i get parts at 10% over dealer cost! The Centerforce II clutch (good for over 400hp) was only $250.

BTW, even with a stock truck a performance clutch would be good for towing.

-Jon

 

I do tow frequently, and probably go through clutches faster than the average driver because of it. The 11" has made a big improvement on take offs. I also think I slip the clutch less with the added power of the 351 over the 300. I guess I'll see what happens with this clutch and go from there.

 

So you kept the Mazda 5spd and just replaced the clutch with an 11in and all is good? Think that tranny would hold up with a 5.8L Lightning engine?

 

Well, my 351 is stock, and the Mazda 5sp. is holding... Right now.
The clutch operates fine, but I have a squeek in it after it gets hot. I broke one of the bolts that attatches the pressure plate to the flywheel, while attempting to torque it to factory specs. Has anybody else had this problem? It happened on my buddies mustang as well, only at 25 ft-lbs. I got in a hurry and didn't fix the broken bolt or the throw out bearing when I put it back together (the throw out bearing that came with my clutch kit was different than with the M50D, since they were never coupled from the factory). It is the only thing I skimped on on my swap, and of course, where I got my noise. So heres what I'm gonna do. If I get real ambitious some weekend, I'll slide the tranny back and fix my clutch junk.

In the mean time, I'll let you know how long that M50D holds up.

If it lasts too long, I'll just have to find out what it takes to break one... when I have the money for the stroker kit, cam, headers, gt40 upper and lower...

You get the idea.