Fortes Hydraulic Clutch Installation Report

[Rotorcraft]

For those of you considering this option or for those who have purchased it and have yet to install it.

I just finished installing the Forte Hydraulic Clutch Kit on a Mk4- Complete Kit

Willwood Pedal Box with what I believe are the newest pedals that come with the complete kit
SBF 302
Quicktime Bell Housing
Ram Clutch
Ford Racing T5 transmission

-Mikes kit came complete with everything needed (note that I did need to switch out the awesome ARP fasteners with 7/16 - 14 bolts to fit my bell housing- a couple bucks at the hardware store I live at :)

When it comes to cutting the pushrod, it was very easy, measure twice, call Mike once :) - I ended removing about 1.625" or so, but make sure you measure before you go cutting yours.

I bench bled the MC into the fluid reservoir first, hooked up the hydraulic fluid line to the slave cylinder (I have the transmission installed on the engine already, so I just moved it all over to the chassis and hooked it up. I then opened the bleed valve on the slave cylinder, fluid shot out clear, closed it and it was ready for the test.

I put the transmission in gear and had an assistant push on the clutch. grabbed the driveline and voila, hydraulic clutch.

Note that initially my clutch plate appeared to be stuck to the flywheel or something but after some mild twisting of the driveline it came free. (note I said mild! there was no wrenching or breaker bars involved. just my bare hands...)

I am a novice mechanic at best, and this was a very easy job.(even the first time) I could now do this in less than 30 minutes from start to finish. I monkeyed around for a few hours the first time.

Thanks Mike Forte!

[wallace18]

Boy that is way better than the unit I got from another FFR vendor. I am being nice and not mentioning the name. Nice job!

[bansheekev]

Better is most likely proportional to the $ as well. This setup is not cheap. I am also using it and its a fabulous setup but get out your wallet.


Boy that is way better than the unit I got from another FFR vendor. I am being nice and not mentioning the name. Nice job!

[christenfreedman]

OK, so what was the damage? $$$?

I am considering the same set up!

[bansheekev]

$300 - Billet bracket/hardware attached to transmission, 7/8" CNC slave, pushrod/hiem joint, clutch fork bracket
$55 - Stainless braided flexible fluid line (-3AN), banjo fitting for master cylinder
$70 - Wilwood 1 1/8" combination master cylinder

$425 + shipping (assuming you already have a remote reservoir)

[BobsMK4]

3871538716I also used Forte's Hydraulic Clutch Assembly. The only difference is that my transmission is a TKO500. After you realize that you need to add spacers and cut the input shaft to fit, it goes together relatively easy.

[christenfreedman]

$300 - Billet bracket/hardware attached to transmission, 7/8" CNC slave, pushrod/hiem joint, clutch fork bracket
$55 - Stainless braided flexible fluid line (-3AN), banjo fitting for master cylinder
$70 - Wilwood 1 1/8" combination master cylinder

$425 + shipping (assuming you already have a remote reservoir)

Wow! I bit more than I had expected...Those brackets must be made of gold;)

[Steak]

I've put 4,000 miles on my hydraulic setup from Mike. It was worth the money. Really smooth operation.

[bansheekev]

I've put 4,000 miles on my hydraulic setup from Mike. It was worth the money. Really smooth operation.

Agreed, expensive but one of those things where its worth the money even if you cut back somewhere else. I have seen several new builders cough the beer through the nose when they see the price tag though. Hence my statement of get your wallet out.

Kevin

[geebang]

I'm really happy with mine so far at go kart, on my Coyote TKO600. It was a breeze to install and set up (once Mike sent me the correct bracket..) it really provides a modern car feel. It's worth the dollars in my opinion. Its something that I wouldn't let cost drive the decision.

[AnthonyS]

I really love hydraulic clutches after owning various 5.0 Mustangs over the years and an SVO. I've had clutch cables in all of them except for my '13 GT which was hydraulic. I don't know if I can go back to a cable clutch. I'm seriously considering a hydraulic clutch for my build. Ford had an OEM setup in the '87/88 Turbo Coupes for the T5 with the turbo 4 banger. I don't know if it could be easily adapted or not. I think not since the bellhousing to the V8 is so different. I did see an aftermarket setup for '87-'95 Mustang GTs today. It should work with my donor pedals and bell housing just fine and should move into the FFR kit easily enough. It's expensive, but probably worth it to me and especially my wife. I'd post the manufacturer name, but I don't want to violate any rules in regards to vendors, etc.

[edwardb]

I really love hydraulic clutches after owning various 5.0 Mustangs over the years and an SVO. I've had clutch cables in all of them except for my '13 GT which was hydraulic. I don't know if I can go back to a cable clutch. I'm seriously considering a hydraulic clutch for my build. Ford had an OEM setup in the '87/88 Turbo Coupes for the T5 with the turbo 4 banger. I don't know if it could be easily adapted or not. I think not since the bellhousing to the V8 is so different. I did see an aftermarket setup for '87-'95 Mustang GTs today. It should work with my donor pedals and bell housing just fine and should move into the FFR kit easily enough. It's expensive, but probably worth it to me and especially my wife. I'd post the manufacturer name, but I don't want to violate any rules in regards to vendors, etc.

It's good you're being careful, but it's OK to post about vendors you use, have had good results from, etc. in the context of your build. It's just not OK to advertise, promote, etc. non-supporting vendors. Explained more here: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?7532-Posting-examples-of-work-by-non-supporting-vendors

[Paparazzi]

When it comes to cutting the pushrod, it was very easy, measure twice, call Mike once :) - I ended removing about 1.625" or so, but make sure you measure before you go cutting yours.

Have just mounted the bracket and at the stage of fitting the pushrod. How do you measure how much to cut? Also, there's a small 'bullet' that was loose in my kit - does that go inside the slave to provide a rounded base for the slave cylinder to push against? Not sure where else it would go. :-)

[wallace18]

Have just mounted the bracket and at the stage of fitting the pushrod. How do you measure how much to cut? Also, there's a small 'bullet' that was loose in my kit - does that go inside the slave to provide a rounded base for the slave cylinder to push against? Not sure where else it would go. :-)
Yes that is were it goes.

[jmorgan]

Rotorcraft,

I am installing a different hydraulic clutch in my MK4 roadster with SBF 302, Quicktime housing, RAM clutch/pressure plate. and T5 transmission. By hand manipulating the clutch fork, it appears that I need about 2" of throw to go from the TOB just touching the Pressure plate to full release of clutch. My current set up only provides about 1.2" of throw so the clutch does not release. Do you know if the Forte master/slave clutch has the amount of throw that I need? Have emailed Mike, but have not heard back from him on his TKO 600 unit.

Thanks in advance

AggieCobra
JAM

[Blitzboy54]

I used this kit. Significantly less expensive but works really well.

https://www.dazecars.com/dazed/TestT5kit.html

[edwardb]

Rotorcraft,

I am installing a different hydraulic clutch in my MK4 roadster with SBF 302, Quicktime housing, RAM clutch/pressure plate. and T5 transmission. By hand manipulating the clutch fork, it appears that I need about 2" of throw to go from the TOB just touching the Pressure plate to full release of clutch. My current set up only provides about 1.2" of throw so the clutch does not release. Do you know if the Forte master/slave clutch has the amount of throw that I need? Have emailed Mike, but have not heard back from him on his TKO 600 unit.

Thanks in advance

AggieCobra
JAM

That's really a lot of required throw. Maybe dig into that more. I've done a number of installations and never required that much with several different clutch brands. To answer your question -- the CNC slave Mike used to provide before CNC went out of business was also about 1.2 inches rated. Drive it any further and it would pop out the piston. I don't know what brand he's selling now, but has a substitute and I suspect a similar rating. Pretty typical for that size cylinder.