2.3t clutch


therieldeal

15+ Year Member

Joined
Oct 28, 2008
Messages
287
Points
3,101
City
Putnam, CT
Vehicle Year
1989
Transmission
Manual
So how stout is the stock ranger 2.3 clutch? I bought this truck from a friend of a friend, with a nice stack of receipts. Among them is a brand new clutch and slave cyl. My friend says he helped install the clutch this summer... it has maybe 5k on it. Will it survive behind a stock 2.3t for a while or should I upgrade right off the bat?
 
If it's new it might last for at least a little while behind a stock merkur engine. If you're going to be upping the power any, I'd recomend a Centerforce dual friction or one of the Spec clutches.

The stock ranger 9" doesn't really have all that much clamping force.

My centerforce DF has held up to 16-17 PSI from my engine (which is in excess of 300 ft-lbs torque) without slippage. After 10,000 miles of this it still feels new.
 
its a stock 88 TC engine. no plans to go with a bigger turbo or anything, looking for stock reliability.
 
I'm running a stock clutch behind an 88 TC engine. I think by limiting my boost to 12psi and not boosting until the clutch is fully engaged I'll get a reasonable life out of it.
 
the original turbo engines used the same LUK clutch that the rangers use, just for a T5 instead of the M5OD. I don't see any reason why it wont hold up fine as long as you don't burn it up with bad launches.
 
Hi, I was wondering what a luk clutch is? I have 2.3, 5 speed, 4.10 gears, 225\14r wranglers. I was trying to find the heavy-duty clutch with most bang for the buck. I figured there has to be some stock parts that will work better. I have searched several sites and limited recieved responce. I was wondering if there was a bigger clutch that would fit it, from a different engine or something from a turboed engine would work? I am only a parts replacer so Please take it easy on me:icon_confused:
 
I think Luk makes a heavy duty part number for the ranger application. A clutch for a 2.3 turbo car won't work because they had T-5 trannies as opposed to the ranger's M5OD tranny.

Beyond that there is always centerforce ( www.centerforce.com ) and spec ( www.specclutch.com ).
 
I know this thread is ancient, but I just wanted to add that I installed a brand new LUK clutch in my 2.3 turbo Ranger, and find that it slips under boost. :annoyed: It does work fine when driving conservatively, but when you want to have a little fun (especially in 1st and 2nd) it will slip. Wish I'd have considered the stock one being insufficient before putting in the LUK, because I would have installed one with a heavier diaphragm spring. Oh well.
 
Yeah, I ran a stock replacement Napa clutch (I think they're Luk) when I first put the turbo engine in, it worked ok for a while but it didn't live long... I have at least twice the hard miles on my Centerforce clutch (yes, it costs 3 times as much...) and it's behaving very well. Of course it doesn't come in a kit so you have to buy their stock replacement friction disc separate from the weighted pressure plate (if you search my user name and centerforce the part numbers should come up pretty easy as I've posted them before). Very well behaved on the street and on the trails, you can feather it a bit if you need to but it grabs hard when you need it to as well.
 
TireIron said:
the original turbo engines used the same LUK clutch that the rangers use, just for a T5 instead of the M5OD. I don't see any reason why it wont hold up fine as long as you don't burn it up with bad launches.
Click to expand...

Turbo engines used a stronger pressure plate & 9 or 9 1/8 clutch disc, rangers had weaker pressure plates & an 8 7/8 clutch disc...
 
clutch on top is stock ranger, clutch to the right is stock turbo engine, clutch to the left is 4 puck solid hub for high hp


2.3t clutch
 
scotts90ranger said:
Yeah, I ran a stock replacement Napa clutch (I think they're Luk) when I first put the turbo engine in, it worked ok for a while but it didn't live long... I have at least twice the hard miles on my Centerforce clutch (yes, it costs 3 times as much...) and it's behaving very well. Of course it doesn't come in a kit so you have to buy their stock replacement friction disc separate from the weighted pressure plate (if you search my user name and centerforce the part numbers should come up pretty easy as I've posted them before). Very well behaved on the street and on the trails, you can feather it a bit if you need to but it grabs hard when you need it to as well.
Click to expand...
I saw the Centerfoce when I was searching clutches, and thought at the time it was overkill, but apparently not. I guess I'll just wear this one out first then go with the Centerforce. I hate the idea of dropping the tranny and scrapping a brand new clutch. :/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsored Ad

TRS Events & Gatherings

Where We Were in 2025 – The Ranger Station

Latest posts

Featured Rangers

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

TRS Latest Video

Official TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

Latest Album Photos

IMG_4690.JPEG
IMG_4689.JPEG
IMG_4688.JPEG
IMG_4679.JPEG
IMG_4656.JPEG
IMG_4625.JPEG
IMG_4562.JPEG
IMG_4561.JPEG
IMG_4560.JPEG
IMG_4559.JPEG
IMG_4558.JPEG
IMG_4445.JPEG

Product Suggestions

Back
Top