Having found out on a Bedford Autodrome trackday that my distinctly second hand 1.8 Mondeo clutch didn't much like 220-ish bhp and 200-ish ft-lb (cue clutch smoke, rev limiter and horrid smell), I'm on the lookout for a stronger clutch to put into the firing line.

I'm using a 1.8l Zetec flywheel, so I need a 220mm clutch. Supposedly an Escort RS Turbo clutch will fit, but I'm not sure if these can handle more power than the mondeo ones.

As far as I can see my options are as follows:

New Mondeo clutch

New Escort RS Turbo clutch

Expensive paddle clutch that's horrible in traffic

Hideously expensive multi disc clutch

Is there a clutch from a diesel that will fit?

Are there any other options like an uprated cover plate or friction disc? Should you replace both at once?

Any recommendations welcome.

I don't want to spend a fortune, as the gearbox will probably explode next. Type 9 vs 220bhp is only going to end one way....


Thanks

Tom

keep the clutch as the weak link , or upgrade the box . or fit a t5 box .

paddle clutches/ multi plate ones arent as expensive as you might think , especially when you have to buy an uprated clutch pressure plate , and driven plate .

bar the flyhweel machining for sach single plate 200mm clutch with organic material ie user friendly and sprung centres .they run about £350 +vat , and can handle 365 nm or 510 with a sintered plate .

considering juat a cover is £180 + , then a driven plate to match at around teh same price - it becomes entirely possible .

Of course if an ST24 clutch fits or something then id expect that to be the choice .

The rs turbo clutch is the same part as the 1800 diesel clutch.

Had a quick look and most of the clutches for the high powered fords seems to be 240mm i.e. ST24, Cossies etc

Not vastly helpful i know. But if you switched to a larger flywheel then you would have more choice of standard clutches that could take the power.

Redrilling the 1800 flywheel for a pinto clutch with uprated conventional pressure plate and organic driven plate seems a common fix.

Anyone know what the part number is ?

Anyone know what the part number is ?

Hmm, tempted to go for a cheapy Escort diesel clutch for the time being, as cash is a bit tight at the moment. Seeing as you can pick up a clutch kit on ebay for £30, it might be ok for a while. I have a feeling that the Mondeo clutch already had 70k of wear, and according to the RS Tubo forums the escort clutch is ok up to about 200bhp. Driving a car of half the weight it should hopefully cope with my abuse!

Regarding drilling the flywheel for a pinto clutch, who can do this and for how much?
I guess the other alternative is to use the 2.0l flywheel with a 240mm clutch, but the 2.0l flywheel is a heavy old thing....

Sadly, there are few options for uprating the gearbox other than stronger internals for the type 9, as the Super Six is very narrow and MT75 or T5 boxes supposedly won't fit in the tunnel :-(

Tom

plenty of people run well over 200bhp through their T9s without any issues.
Isn't the 1.8 zetec flywheel thinner than the 2 litre one?