For a 2013 to 2016 Ford Focus ST, the SPEC Stage 1 clutch kit paired with the SPEC aluminum flywheel it requires is the best fit for a street car with light modifications, the Comp Clutch Stage 2 suits a car with bolt-ons and a tune, and the ACT HD Race Sprung 6 Pad suits hard launches and track days. The Comp and ACT kits also fit the 2017 and 2018 model years, so check the year before choosing a brand.
The stock clutch is one of the first parts a modified Focus ST outgrows. More torque from a tune and bolt-on parts asks more of the clutch, and a slipping clutch is both annoying and expensive to ignore. This guide explains what each clutch does, who it suits, and what else belongs in the same job.
Check Your Model Year Before Anything Else
Each kit covers a different range of years. SPEC lists its clutch kit and flywheel for the 2013 to 2016 Focus ST. Comp’s Stage 2 fits the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST, and the ACT HD Race Sprung 6 Pad fits the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST and the 2016 to 2018 Focus RS.
Owners of a 2017 or 2018 Focus ST should use the Comp or ACT kit, since the SPEC parts are not listed for those years. Anyone unsure which year their car is can check the VIN or the door jamb sticker before ordering.
SPEC Stage 1 Clutch Kit: The Street Driver’s Upgrade
The SPEC Stage 1 Clutch Kit uses a carbon kevlar based organic lining with an integrally bonded steel backing. That combination gives smooth engagement and long life, and the double-sprung hub adds flexibility while a high clamp pressure plate adds holding power. SPEC calls it best for street use and many track and off-road applications.
This is the right kit for an owner who wants a clutch that holds up to a tune without turning daily driving into a chore. SPEC’s organic lining keeps engagement predictable, which matters in traffic. Availability on SPEC kits can vary, so check the product page for the current lead time before planning an install date.
SPEC Aluminum Flywheel: Required With the Stage 1 Kit
The Stage 1 kit comes with an important requirement. SPEC’s listing states that flywheel part number SF33A-4 is required, so the two parts are sold as a pair even though they have separate listings. Buying the clutch without the flywheel leaves the job incomplete.
The SPEC Aluminum Flywheel is a tuned billet design built for the 2013 to 2016 Focus ST. SPEC develops each flywheel around how a specific car responds to changes in rotating mass, which avoids the unstable engagement that overly light generic flywheels can cause.
The flywheel is machined to .001 inch tolerances for a flat clutch surface and balanced rotation. SPEC notes that some change in feedback is normal when rotating mass drops, though the tuned design limits harshness. The two parts together cost about $970 at current prices, which is useful to know when comparing them against the other kits.
Comp Clutch Stage 2: The Step Up for Bolt-On Cars
The Comp Clutch Stage 2 is a Street Series 2100 kit that Competition Clutch rates at roughly 80 percent more torque capacity than the factory clutch. It pairs a Carbon Kevlar disc with a performance pressure plate, and anti-burst steel-backed facings add strength. The sprung hub absorbs shock during engagement, which keeps the car easy to drive.
This kit suits aggressive street driving and moderate track use. Competition Clutch recommends a 500 mile break-in period to seat the friction material, so plan for gentle driving after installation. The kit includes the pressure plate, disc, release bearings, and alignment tool, but the contents list does not include a flywheel. Confirm with the Wrench Masters team whether the kit pairs with the factory flywheel on a specific car.
At about $830 for the kit alone, it covers the full 2013 to 2018 range, which makes it the most flexible choice for newer cars. Owners who also plan engine changes should read the Ford Focus ST stimulus package guide for the intake, exhaust, and blow off valve combination many owners start with.
ACT HD Race Sprung 6 Pad: Built for Hard Launches and Track Days
The ACT HD Race Sprung 6 Pad Clutch Kit uses ACT’s heavy duty pressure plate, which adds clamp load and uses a diaphragm design to reduce deflection. Its six pad, spring-centered race disc handles heat and shock loads, and a four-stage heat treatment keeps the pressure plate consistent.
Engagement is more aggressive than a full-face disc, which allows faster shifts but feels firmer in daily traffic. ACT positions the six pad disc for frequent hard launches, spirited driving, and track focused use. It is the most expensive kit here at about $1,626, so it makes sense only for owners who will use the extra capability.
Owners who want an ACT clutch with gentler manners can look at the ACT HD Performance Street Sprung kit, which covers the same 2013 to 2018 range. The full range of clutch options lives in the clutch kits category, and more from the brand sits on the SPEC brand page.
Which Clutch Fits Which Build
Cars that are mostly stock or lightly modified with a tune fit the SPEC Stage 1 and flywheel pairing. Builds with an intake, exhaust, and a stronger tune fit the Comp Stage 2. Cars that see repeated hard launches or regular track days fit the ACT race kit. Matching the clutch to real driving beats buying the most aggressive option, since a race disc makes daily commuting less pleasant.
The must have suspension upgrades guide explains why the clutch becomes the next weak point once a car drives harder. Owners planning a blow off valve upgrade alongside a clutch can read the Turbosmart plumb-back versus dual-port comparison first.
What to Replace While the Transmission Is Out
A clutch job requires removing the transmission, so the labor to reach every nearby part is already being spent. That makes it the best moment to add the other drivetrain parts that benefit from access. The flywheels category and the transmission mounts category are the first places to look.
Shifter feel is the other natural addition. The COBB Adjustable Shift Plate fits the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST and the 2016 to 2018 Focus RS, and the Whiteline sway bar links guide covers the handling side of the same build. Owners can browse more drivetrain parts in the shifters category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best clutch for a Ford Focus ST?
It depends on how the car is used. The SPEC Stage 1 with its required flywheel suits street cars, the Comp Clutch Stage 2 suits cars with bolt-ons and a tune, and the ACT HD Race Sprung 6 Pad suits hard launches and track days.
Do I need a new flywheel with the SPEC Stage 1 clutch kit?
Yes. SPEC lists flywheel part number SF33A-4 as required with the Stage 1 kit. The flywheel is sold separately as the SPEC Aluminum Flywheel for the 2013 to 2016 Focus ST.
Which Focus ST years do these clutch kits fit?
SPEC lists its kit and flywheel for the 2013 to 2016 Focus ST. The Comp Clutch Stage 2 fits the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST, and the ACT kit fits the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST and the 2016 to 2018 Focus RS.
How much more torque does the Comp Stage 2 clutch hold?
Competition Clutch rates the Stage 2 kit at roughly 80 percent more torque capacity than the factory clutch. It also recommends a 500 mile break-in period.
Will a race clutch make my Focus ST hard to drive daily?
It can. The ACT six pad race disc engages more aggressively than a full-face disc, which allows faster shifts but feels firmer in traffic. Street oriented kits like the SPEC Stage 1 and Comp Stage 2 stay easier to live with.
Should I replace other parts when I change the clutch?
Yes. The transmission already has to come out, so it is the cheapest time to add a flywheel, transmission mounts, and shifter parts. Doing them together avoids paying for the same labor twice.
0 Comments for “Best Clutch and Flywheel for the Ford Focus ST: Stage 1, Stage 2 and Race”