A clutch is the one purchase where buying twice costs you three times. The parts are a fraction of the job; getting to them is the expensive part. So the goal here is simple: help you buy the right clutch once.
This guide is organised by platform, because spline count and crank bolt pattern change between Mustang generations and a kit that fits your friend's car may not physically go into yours. Find your car in the list above and start there.
How to Choose a Clutch
Three questions, in this order. Get these right and the specific brand matters less than you would think.
1. What torque are you actually making?
Not horsepower. Torque is what a clutch holds. And buy for where the car is going, not where it is today, because the labour is identical either way. If a supercharger is on your list for next year, buy the clutch that will hold it now.
2. Single disc or twin disc?
| Single disc | Twin disc | |
|---|---|---|
| Torque capacity | Up to roughly 525 lb-ft in a good kit | 800 to 1,200+ lb-ft |
| Pedal feel | Closest to stock | Modern twin discs are far more streetable than their reputation |
| Engagement | Progressive, forgiving | Slightly quicker take-up |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Bolt-ons, mild power, daily driving | Boost, nitrous, track use, anything over ~525 lb-ft |
3. Steel or aluminum flywheel?
- Lightweight steel is the safer all-round choice. Durable, resurfaceable, tolerant of abuse, and still much lighter than factory.
- Aluminum is lighter again, which means faster revs and quicker gear changes. It is the drag racer's choice, and it is less forgiving of slipping and heat.
2024-2026 Mustang GT & Dark Horse
The S650 is the newest platform here and the aftermarket is still filling in. McLeod has kits available now, and they are the place to start.
6 kits available
Twin disc options for boosted builds
2018-2023 Mustang GT, Mach 1 & Bullitt
Gen 3 Coyote cars, 23 spline. The factory clutch is fine until it is not, and adding a blower or a set of headers is usually when owners find its limit.
The sensible first twin disc
23 spline
Street manners retained
Our most-recommended all-rounder
For big boost builds
23 spline
26-spline version also available
Stage 3 six-puck ceramic for track use
Cerametallic version also available
White Box option for lower cost
Centerforce SST series
More options in the 2018-2023 McLeod clutch kit collection.
2015-2020 Shelby GT350
The 5.2L Voodoo revs to 8,250rpm and the GT350's factory clutch is a known weak point once you start using that. This platform has the deepest twin disc selection of any Mustang.
Handles the rev range
Our default GT350 recommendation
For supercharged GT350s
26 spline
E, P, ST, SS and organic SS
Pick by how you use the car
Organic disc option
The most streetable Spec choice
Track-biased
2011-2017 Mustang GT & 2012-2013 Boss 302
Gen 1 and Gen 2 Coyote cars, 23 spline, MT-82 gearbox. This platform has the widest choice of anything on this page, and it is also the one where the factory clutch causes the most grief.
Stock Power to Full Bolt-Ons
Near-stock pedal feel
Also available with slave cylinder
Exedy is on the Loyalty Pricing list
Twin Disc Kits
Entry point into twin disc
23 spline
Big capacity, street manners
23 spline
For boosted and high-torque builds
800 HP rated
Aluminum flywheel version also available
Our top twin disc for this platform
Aluminum flywheel version also available
Do the whole job in one order
Twenty-eight more options in the 2011-2017 McLeod collection.
2005-2010 Mustang GT & 2007-2009 Shelby GT500
These share the 8-bolt modular architecture. Watch the spline count carefully here, because both 10 and 26 spline setups exist depending on the car and whether the input shaft has been upgraded.
The GT500 workhorse
For boosted GT500s
The streetable entry twin disc
Requires upgraded shaft on the Cobra
Steel flywheel version also available
Slave cylinder included
GT500 owners, there are 23 more kits in the 2007-2014 GT500 clutch collection.
1996-2004 Mustang V8
Mostly 10 spline, mostly 4.6 modular. There is still a full range available for these cars, including our own kits.
26-spline upgraded-shaft version available
Twin disc for the older cars
Aluminum flywheel version also available
Flywheels & Accessories
The clutch is not the only thing that comes out. While you are in there, these are worth doing at the same time rather than twice.
Resurfaceable
Hydraulic components and lines are in clutch actuation, and everything we curate ourselves sits in Lethal Performance Clutch Kits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what size clutch I need?
Match the kit to the torque you make, or plan to make, not the horsepower. A good single disc handles up to roughly 525 lb-ft. Past that you want a twin disc. Then confirm the spline count for your specific car.
Is a twin disc clutch driveable on the street?
Yes. Modern sprung-hub street twin discs like the McLeod RXT and our LPX are designed for exactly that. The old reputation for on-off engagement comes from race clutches, not these.
What spline count does my Mustang have?
Broadly, 1996-2004 and many 2005-2010 GTs are 10 spline, 2011-2017 GT and Boss 302 are 23 spline, 2018-2023 GT is 23 spline, and 26-spline setups turn up on GT500s, upgraded-shaft cars and T56 swaps. If you are not certain, call us rather than guessing.
Steel or aluminum flywheel?
Lightweight steel for most people: durable, resurfaceable, still much lighter than factory. Aluminum for drag use where rotating mass matters most, accepting that it is less tolerant of slip and heat.
Should I replace the flywheel with the clutch?
If it is scored, glazed or heat-marked, yes. A new disc will not survive long against a damaged friction surface, and the flywheel is already accessible.
Why does my clutch pedal stick to the floor on hard shifts?
That is the known early MT-82 issue on 2011-2014 cars. We hit it three passes in a row at the track. A twin disc conversion resolved it.
What is the difference between McLeod RST, RXT and RXT 1200?
Increasing torque capacity and different facing materials. RST is the streetable organic entry point, RXT adds capacity while staying civil, and RXT 1200 is for big boost. We have a dedicated comparison if you want the detail.
What is the difference between LPX and LPXHD?
Capacity. LPX is rated to 800 HP, LPXHD to 1,000 HP. Both are available with lightweight steel or aluminum flywheels and in the spline counts for your platform.
Do I need a new slave cylinder?
Not always, but it is inexpensive and it is already exposed. On a high-mileage car, replacing it while the transmission is out is cheap insurance against doing the job twice.
How do I break in a new clutch?
Properly, and it matters more than people think. We have a full break-in guide, and the procedure differs slightly between manufacturers, so follow the one that came with your kit.
Keep Reading
Tell us the car, the power and how you drive it, and we will tell you which kit. Call 877-2-LETHAL or email us.
Buy It Once
The transmission comes out either way. Put in the clutch that holds the power you are going to make, not the power you make today.
