Pick the right clutch the first time with LMR.com 2005-2014 S197 Mustang clutch and flywheel buyer guide!
With the introduction of the S197 Mustang, many different engines, transmissions, and drivetrain options exist. This can make purchasing a replacement clutch and flywheel a daunting task. LMR.com has created this guide to help you buy the correct clutch for your application. This article will divide the clutches into four subjects: clutch styles, flywheel materials, modular 6 bolt vs. 8 bolt flywheel pattern overview, and spline count identification to help you choose which clutch will best fit your driving style and horsepower ratings.
Horsepower Range:
Up to 350 HP (4.6L), 450 HP (5.0L), 670 HP (5.4L/5.8L)*
Modifications:
Mild bolt-on applications, including headers, cold air intakes, throttle bodies, underdrive pulleys, etc.
Driving Style:
Daily driver with the above modifications
Tire Types:
All-season or summer performance tires, excluding drag radials
These clutch kits will utilize a clutch disc with an organic friction material to provide an effortless factory pedal feel and reliable driving characteristics. This group of clutches will work well with OEM or upgraded rear-end gear ratios. Clutch chatter will not be evident with these stock/OE-style clutches.
Horsepower Range:
350-450 HP*
Modifications:
Performance heads, camshafts, intake manifolds, mild stroker setups
Driving Style:
Daily driver with more serious engine modifications.
Tire Types:
All-season or summer performance tires, excluding drag radials
These clutch kits will utilize a disc with upgraded organic friction material and a pressure plate with increased clamping force. You can expect very smooth clutch engagement with a moderate increase in the pedal effort to provide consistent driving characteristics. Depending on the rear gear ratio, flywheels, and mounts - chatter may/will be evident with a performance-oriented clutch.
Horsepower Range:
500+ HP*
Modifications:
Max effort stroker naturally aspirated engines, supercharger, turbocharger, nitrous
Driving Style:
Performance street to dedicated track
Tire Types:
All-season, summer performance, drag radials, and slicks
These kits utilize a clutch disc with a dual friction material or puck-style design. The construction of these clutch discs can consist of organic material on one side, ceramic on the other, or ceramic on both sides. Due to the increased pressure plate clamping forces, these single-disc clutch kits will provide a harder pedal effort, with chattering expected during the engagement. Depending on the rear gear ratio, flywheels, and mounts - chatter may/will be evident with a performance-oriented clutch.
Horsepower Range:
400+ HP*
Modifications:
Performance heads, camshafts, intake manifolds, mild stroker setups, max effort stroker naturally aspirated engines, supercharger, turbocharger, nitrous
Driving Style:
Daily driver street to dedicated track
Tire Types:
All-season, summer performance, drag radials, and slicks
Due to the thicker clutch assembly, dual disc conversions on Mustangs equipped initially with a single disc clutch will require using the shorter GT500 throwout bearing/slave cylinder.
These kits are great for Mustangs with high horsepower who want to keep a lighter pedal effort for daily use. Twin disc clutches utilize two clutch discs to provide a soft pedal effort and smooth engagement without sacrificing the power they can withstand. Clutch chatter usually is very minimal with dual disc applications. These kits utilize clutch discs with an organic friction material or puck-style design. Depending on the rear gear ratio, flywheels, and mounts - chatter may/will be evident with a performance-oriented clutch.
Note*: Horsepower rating will vary depending on the brand. Horsepower rating is generally rated at the engine, not the wheels unless otherwise stated. 5.4L horsepower rating is using 2013-14 GT500 stock clutch assembly.
Flywheel material can be essential in how your engine and clutch behave. The weight of the flywheel will depend on the material in which the flywheel is manufactured. Use the below guide to choose the flywheel material best suited for your driving style.
Benefits:
Decreased pedal effort, durable material, cost-effective, OEM material
Drawback:
High weight decreases engine responsiveness, slow heat dissipation
Horsepower Range:
Stock-300 HP*
Modifications:
Mild bolt-on applications, including headers, cold air intakes, throttle bodies, underdrive pulleys, etc.
Driving Style:
Daily-driver street to performance street
Tire Types:
All-season, summer performance excluding drag radials
Ford provided cast iron flywheels as the material of choice for their durability and to help keep costs down in manufacturing. Cast iron is excellent for the Mustang looking to keep stock driveability and wanting an OEM-style replacement.
Benefits:
Decreased pedal effort, durable material, cost-effective, stronger than cast iron, increased RPM capability
Drawback:
Higher weight can decrease engine responsiveness in comparison to aluminum to other lightweight materials, slower heat dissipation
Horsepower Range:
Stock-300 HP*
Modifications:
Mild bolt-on applications, including headers, cold air intakes, throttle bodies, underdrive pulleys, etc.
Driving Style:
Daily-driver street to performance street
Tire Types:
All-season, summer performance excluding drag radials
Benefits:
Lighter than cast iron, highly durable material, high RPM capable
Drawback:
Higher price than cast iron, heavier than aluminum
Horsepower Range:
300+ HP*
Modifications:
Mild bolt-on applications to high horsepower setups
Driving Style:
Daily driver to dedicated track
Tire Types:
All-season, summer performance, drag radials, slicks
Billet steel and chrome moly are the best choices for a performance upgrade for the everyday car to the dedicated track car. These flywheels will be lighter than cast iron, highly durable for everyday use, and have increased RPM range, with really the only drawback being that they are heavier than aluminum. These are the best choice in performance upgrades for the everyday driver.
Benefits:
Extremely lightweight, increased engine responsiveness
Drawback:
Decreased durability over steel and cast iron, more pedal effort
Horsepower Range:
300+ HP*
Modifications:
Mild bolt-on applications to high horsepower setups
Driving Style:
Performance driver to dedicated track
Tire Types:
All-season, summer performance, drag radials, slicks
Aluminum flywheels are great for improving the performance of your Mustang by removing rotational mass from the engine. The drawback is that aluminum is not as durable as cast iron, and the lighter weight requires the engine to be revved more when letting the clutch out. A daily driver can use aluminum flywheels, but the increased clutch work makes it better suited for a weekend warrior or track car.
Note*: Horsepower rating will vary depending on the brand. Horsepower rating is generally rated at the engine, not the wheels unless otherwise stated.
With the release of the S197 Mustang, several different engine choices were available. The early 2005-2009 Mustang was available with the 4.6L 3V engine carrying the engine into the updated 2010 body style. In 2011, Ford dropped the 4.6L 3V engine in favor of the more powerful 5.0L DOHC Coyote engine. This trend was also followed with the GT500. The 2007-2012 GT500 was powered by a 5.4L engine, while a 5.8L engine powered the 2013-14 GT500. These different engines have different bolt patterns for the flywheels. Use the guide below to know which flywheel bolt pattern your Mustang will be equipped with from Ford.
2010-2014 GT500 used a factory dual disc conversion which required a dual disc flywheel from Ford. Some 2007-2009 used a single disc clutch and standard 4.6/5.4 8 bolt flywheel.
With the many different engines, there can be confusion about what spline count clutch you will need for your transmission. Use the following guide to know what spline count clutch you need!
Check out the following article for more information on What Transmission Came In Your Mustang. This article will explore transmissions available in your Mustangs, gear ratio, spline count, and more!
