V8 Clutch Conversion Questions

[spittinfire]

So I'm working on a 88 Turbo Coupe and planning to make in the ballpark of 400hp.  I was thinking about running a Spec 3+ on the stock flywheel but the more I think about it the more I like the idea of a V8 clutch because I can stay with an organic disk.  This is just a street car so getting stuck in traffic is possible and a smooth driving clutch that can take some slipping would be preferable.  Here are my questions.  

Exhaust - I've got a 3" downpipe and I'm guessing it will have to be worked on in order to clear the bell housing, is that correct?  

Clutch - I would like to keep the stock master cylinder so I don't have to fab up a mount and plate for the firewall.  I'm thinking I can convert the hydraulic line to a 3AN and then run an aftermarket internal slave cylinder.  I'll have to look into the hydraulics to make sure the ratios are right but has anyone done this?  

T5 - I plan on keeping the stock 4 cylinder T5 for now, does the spacing work out correctly with the V8 bell and the adapter plate?  Does the shifter stay in the same location?  If the trans stays in the same location then there should be no impact on the driveshaft.  

Is there anything I'm missing?  Anyone done this and ran into something they were expecting?  

[Stinger]

What V8 bell are you planning to run?

[spittinfire]

I was thinking about a stock Mustang 5.0 bell. I don't need anything special for this project.

[Stinger]

Hydro bells are typically designed with a place to mount the hydro parts.

Trans location doesn't change. You'll need the V8 block plate that located the starter as well.

Downpipe clearance is severely limited.

[spittinfire]

I've only really messed with Mustangs. Did the trucks come with hydraulic clutches?

[Stinger]

I'm not sure which V8 applications used a hydraulic clutch setup. Searching for this info brings up a bunch of conversion kits.

[spittinfire]

That's what I ran into as well, a bunch of aftermarket kits. I did find that early 90s 5.0 trucks had hydraulic bearings but they weren't T5s so it opens up a whole can of worms there.

[Stinger]

I'd assume no V8 hydro T5's were available from Ford.

[spittinfire]

I think you're right. I'll probably end up going with a Ram throwout bearing, they've worked well for me in the past. Hopefully converting the master cylinder won't be an issue, I really do not want to fab up a plate to mount a different one.

[boris]

has some one come up with a better way to deal with the 5.0 input to 2.3 crank ? I'm about to pull the motor and have the crank machined out to fit the 5'0 bearing as my bushing attempt is to tight

[Stinger]

The right way is to simply machine the V8 input to 2.3 diameter. It's simple to remove/install the input without opening up the trans and the machining operation is relatively simple as well for anyone with a lathe.

There is not room in the 2.3 crank for the 5.0 bearing.