Centerforce as OEM replacement clutch?

[702GT]

Would the Centerforce DF611679 clutch be a good OEM replacement clutch? My current OEM is still holding up "ok" but I'll be doing LT's soon and I figured since I'll be under the car, might as well drop the tranny and swap the clutch. I'm at 30k/mi and the way I drive I figure the stocker hasn't got more than another 10k/mi left, if that.

I was coming home the other night after a good romp against some friends and noticed when I took off from a light driving normally the clutch chattered/slipped during engagement. Not sure if it was from overheating the clutch or just a sign that it's time to be replaced before it leaves me stranded.

There's a guy on CL selling this new, never installed, Centerforce for $220, which is slightly cheaper than retail before shipping. I was just going to go for a straight OEM clutch disc replacement, but for $220 this sounds like a better way to go. What do you guys think?

 

[scramblr]

I had a Centerforce go out in 2 months before racing season, so I didn't really romp on it much. Spec 3+ is my recommendation.

 

[Dave]

Would the Centerforce DF611679 clutch be a good OEM replacement clutch? My current OEM is still holding up "ok" but I'll be doing LT's soon and I figured since I'll be under the car, might as well drop the tranny and swap the clutch. I'm at 30k/mi and the way I drive I figure the stocker hasn't got more than another 10k/mi left, if that.

I was coming home the other night after a good romp against some friends and noticed when I took off from a light driving normally the clutch chattered/slipped during engagement. Not sure if it was from overheating the clutch or just a sign that it's time to be replaced before it leaves me stranded.

There's a guy on CL selling this new, never installed, Centerforce for $220, which is slightly cheaper than retail before shipping. I was just going to go for a straight OEM clutch disc replacement, but for $220 this sounds like a better way to go. What do you guys think?

I've had really good luck with my centerforce matched with their steel flywheel, you should do a search though. Many people on here have had horrible experiences with them. Mines been in for 13,000 miles and I love the way it grabs and it's very driveable, other than a miniscule chattering at low rpm. I will note sometimes when cold at first fear change the car won't go in gear, not sure if it's the clutch or rousch shifter. I believe it's the Slave cylinder which sucks ass from the factory being the biggest problem with a dual clutch. Just my .02

 

[702GT]

Man, I just want to change my clutch as one would change brake pads. Not go slotted and drilled on a car that barely traps 102mph. Spec 3+ is an awesome clutch and I intend to use it one day when I make good power. I can't imagine installing a OEM+ clutch, have it fail, and the manufacturer not provide me with a new one or a refund.

If Centerforce is a piss poor quality brand, please direct me to a motorcraft OEM replacement clutch, as I have yet to find one. What clutch is used from the factory anyway? I want another!

 

[Dave]

By the way I think I paid 230 with shiiping from summit, so not that great of a deal you got there.

 

[Dave]

Man, I just want to change my clutch as one would change brake pads. Not go slotted and drilled on a car that barely traps 102mph. Spec 3+ is an awesome clutch and I intend to use it one day when I make good power. I can't imagine installing a OEM+ clutch, have it fail, and the manufacturer not provide me with a new one or a refund.

If Centerforce is a piss poor quality brand, please direct me to a motorcraft OEM replacement clutch, as I have yet to find one. What clutch is used from the factory anyway? I want another!

Centerforce is a good clutch, just doesn't seem to play well with our slaves, get a stock replacement if that's what you're looking for. They're good if you don't abuse it like I did! Lol

 

[702GT]

Yeah but where do you get a stock replacement? I search for OEM clutches I get brands from Exedy, ACT, RAM, and even Centerforce for results. So what clutch is actually in a factory S197?

I just checked Summit for the DF611679 and it's $279 + Tax & S&H, total shipped = $320. $220 and I can pick it up locally is sounding like a great deal.

 

[Dave]

Yeah but where do you get a stock replacement? I search for OEM clutches I get brands from Exedy, ACT, RAM, and even Centerforce for results. So what clutch is actually in a factory S197?

I just checked Summit for the DF611679 and it's $279 + Tax & S&H, total shipped = $320. $220 and I can pick it up locally is sounding like a great deal.

Wow I guess it's been about a year since I got mine and my memory may be skewed! lol call your local ford dealer ask for the part number, then call a reputable supplier you know and order it. A dealer will mark it up ALOT, I'm sure you can find it on your own with a part number as well. Sorry I'd try and help some more but I'm on my iPhone, so a little limited as of now. Someone else will chime in I'm sure

 

[Dave]

Ya know for that price if you've got the means to do the work yourself it may be worth it. If it works it'll definitely hold the power when you decide to further mod. They're rated at 600 lb ft

 

[JesseW.]

i like my centerforce...after i put a RAM slave in it. the original and new oem slaves couldnt take the extra force the weights put on with rpms.

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

Google Tousleyford.com

That's where I got my OEM clutch, PP, and TOB. Fast shipping and good price IMO.

 

[702GT]

Thanks for the link Klassic! I'll keep it in mind for next time, if there is a next time for an OEM swap.

I decided to give the Centerforce a shot.

Jesse, you're saying you did have problems with the DF clutch w/OEM slaves? Even after replacing with a new OEM slave? What's the life-span of the RAM slave? Will using a RAM slave put too much effort on the master cylinder?

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

Thanks for the link Klassic! I'll keep it in mind for next time, if there is a next time for an OEM swap.

I decided to give the Centerforce a shot.

Jesse, you're saying you did have problems with the DF clutch w/OEM slaves? Even after replacing with a new OEM slave? What's the life-span of the RAM slave? Will using a RAM slave put too much effort on the master cylinder?

Don't take this as gospel, but when I was in the process of replacing my clutch the majority of the people that I trusted with insight told me to stay with the Ford OEM slave. They said it was pretty much the best out there and some of the aftermarket one don't last as long FWIW. So I did.

 

[Dave]

Mines still working on an OEM slave.

 

[702GT]

I called Centerforce today and asked them what the deal was with their DF clutch and OEM slave vs RAM HD slave. He said people will believe what they want, but Centerforce runs their Twin Disc clutches on OEM slaves with no issues and a lot more power and RPM. He admited Centerforce had issues with their pressure plates 5 years ago being too heavy a load for the OEM slaves on other applications, but has rectified their design since then. I got good vibes from him so I'm going with another OEM slave for my DF. I guess I'll let you guys know if it was a good decision or not over the next 25,000 miles.

 

[702GT]

Another question...

Where do I buy a OEM Slave from? LMR doesn't carry them, nor do any of the local parts stores. RockAuto.com carry's them, but I dunno if I trust the brands/quality. I saw Brenspeed sells them, but the price difference between RockAuto ($120) and Brenspeed ($180) is pretty significant, so I'm assuming Brenspeed is probably a higher quality? It's tough when they don't list the manufacturer, at least I know RockAuto sells Dorman and Rhinopac, even though I've never heard of either lol.

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

Google TOUSLEYFORD.COM

That's where I got my OEM clutch, PP, and TOB. Fast shipping and good price IMO.

Another question...

Where do I buy a OEM Slave from? LMR doesn't carry them, nor do any of the local parts stores. RockAuto.com carry's them, but I dunno if I trust the brands/quality. I saw Brenspeed sells them, but the price difference between RockAuto ($120) and Brenspeed ($180) is pretty significant, so I'm assuming Brenspeed is probably a higher quality? It's tough when they don't list the manufacturer, at least I know RockAuto sells Dorman and Rhinopac, even though I've never heard of either lol.

Ask for Mike. He'll hook you up.

 

[JesseW.]

i tried my original slave and a new slave. both wouldn't disengage the clutch over 3000 rpm's. the twin disc is not the same as the DFX clutch. The DFX is built like a puck style on the flywheel side and a regular style on the pressure plate side and the pressure plate has 9 weights. the twin disc, well, has 2 discs and a light pedal pressure and cost a lot more...

i currently have 7,000 miles on my RAM slave, it works great and its suppose to be completely rebuildable. its just a little more peddle pressure than with the stock slave, but a lot more over the stock clutch/pressure plate setup.

i did have to shave down the slide rod on the ram slave to keep it from hitting the weights on the centerforce. but that was a quick job.

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/RAM-78175/05-10-Mustang-Hydraulic-Throwout-Release-Bearing it's 2.5 times as much as rock auto, but it worked for me.

 

[BruceH]

I called Centerforce today and asked them what the deal was with their DF clutch and OEM slave vs RAM HD slave. He said people will believe what they want, but Centerforce runs their Twin Disc clutches on OEM slaves with no issues and a lot more power and RPM. He admited Centerforce had issues with their pressure plates 5 years ago being too heavy a load for the OEM slaves on other applications, but has rectified their design since then. I got good vibes from him so I'm going with another OEM slave for my DF. I guess I'll let you guys know if it was a good decision or not over the next 25,000 miles.

The DF isn't a twin disk. Twin disks are easier on the slave because they require less pressure plate (read as easier on the slave) force to disengage. My slave lasted 1600 miles with CF DF. I was told not to use a CF but I didn't listen.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Pulling the tranny on a garage floor isn't something you want to do very often.