Best Clutch Kits for 2013-2018 Ford Focus ST: Buyer's Guide

If you have tuned your 2013-2018 Ford Focus ST and the car pulls hard in second but goes soft and revvy in third, you have already met the weakest link in the driveline: the factory clutch. Choosing the right clutch kit for the Ford Focus ST is the single most important decision a tuned ST owner makes, because a slipping clutch will cap your power and cook itself in a few thousand miles. The 2.0L EcoBoost makes 252 hp and 270 lb-ft from the factory, but a Stage 2 tune pushes it past 320 wheel horsepower and 350 lb-ft – well beyond what the stock disc can hold. In this guide we compare the five best Focus ST clutch kits we stock at NLP Performance, from a budget OE replacement to a big-power twin-disc setup, with real torque numbers, disc materials, and pricing.

Why Does a Tuned Focus ST Need a Clutch Upgrade?

A tuned Focus ST needs a clutch upgrade because the factory clutch begins to slip somewhere between 330 and 380 lb-ft at the wheels – and a common Stage 2 tune makes more than that. The stock 2013-2018 Focus ST clutch is perfectly happy holding the factory 252 hp and 270 lb-ft, but the MMT6 (Getrag 6-speed) input shaft is rated at about 450 Nm, or 331 lb-ft, and the friction disc gives up close behind it.

Here is the problem in numbers: a Cobb or similar Stage 1 tune on 93 octane already clears 300 lb-ft, and a Stage 2 tune (with an upgraded intercooler and downpipe) typically produces around 323 wheel horsepower and over 350 lb-ft of torque. That is enough to spin the stock clutch under boost in third, fourth, and fifth gear. Once a clutch starts slipping it overheats, glazes, and fails quickly – so the smart move is to upgrade the clutch at the same time you go Stage 2 rather than replacing a burned stock unit later.

How We Ranked the Best Focus ST Clutch Kits

We ranked these Focus ST clutch kits on four things that actually matter to a daily-driven, tuned car: torque holding capacity, disc material and drivability, whether the kit includes the supporting hardware you need, and value. Every kit below is in stock in our Tampa, FL warehouse and is a direct fit for the 2.0L EcoBoost 6-speed. We deliberately included a full spread – from a stock-replacement organic disc for a healthy factory car to a 9-inch twin-disc for a big-turbo build – so you can match the clutch to your power level instead of overspending on more clamp than you will ever use.

The 5 Best Clutch Kits for the 2013-2018 Ford Focus ST

1. Competition Clutch Stage 2 Full Face Organic – Best Overall

This is the kit we put in most tuned Focus STs. The full-face organic disc rides on a sprung hub, so engagement stays smooth and quiet in traffic, yet the upgraded pressure plate adds up to 80% more clamping capacity – enough to hold a Stage 2 tune making roughly 320-350 wtq. It behaves like a stock clutch on the street but stops the slip under boost. Competition Clutch recommends it for aggressive street and moderate track use, and it is the best value at $685.58. Pair it with a lightweight flywheel if you want sharper throttle response.

2. Exedy OE Replacement Clutch Kit – Best Budget / Stock Fix

If your ST is stock or lightly modified and the original clutch has simply worn out, the Exedy OE kit is the smart, affordable fix. Exedy supplies OE clutches to many automakers, and this $356.90 kit restores the factory 270 lb-ft holding capacity, pedal weight, and quiet engagement with a fresh disc, cover, and release bearing. It is not the choice for a tuned car – it will slip at Stage 2 power – but for a daily-driven stock ST it is the best bang for the buck and a true bolt-in replacement.

3. Clutch Masters FX100 – Best for a Stage 1 Daily

The Clutch Masters FX100 is the step just above stock. It uses a sprung-hub organic disc with a higher clamp-load pressure plate, so it adds meaningful holding capacity over the factory unit while keeping near-OE pedal effort and engagement. At $448.71 it is the right call for a Stage 1 daily driver on 93 octane that occasionally sees a track day but is not chasing big power. If your plans include a downpipe and Stage 2 tune, step up to the Competition Clutch Stage 2 instead.

4. Competition Clutch Stage 3 Segmented Ceramic – Best for Big-Turbo / Track

When a big-turbo or high-boost ST outgrows the organic Stage 2, the Stage 3 steps up to a segmented ceramic friction material for noticeably higher clamping and heat capacity. It is the pick for a car that sees hard launches, track duty, or 400-plus lb-ft. The trade-off is engagement feel: segmented ceramic grabs more sharply than organic and adds a little more noise, so it is less relaxing in stop-and-go traffic. For a dedicated build that still needs to drive home, it is a proven single-disc solution at $764.05.

5. XClutch 9-Inch Twin Sprung Organic – Best for Big Power

For a genuinely fast ST – big turbo, meth, E85 – the XClutch 9-inch twin-disc uses two sprung organic discs to spread the load, which lets it hold roughly 500-plus lb-ft while keeping a surprisingly light, street-friendly pedal. Twin-disc systems deliver enormous capacity without the harsh grab of a single ceramic puck, so you get race-level holding power that still crawls in traffic. At $1,916.66 it is the most expensive kit here and overkill for a Stage 2 street car, but it is the right ceiling for a big-power build that still drives on the street.

Focus ST Clutch Comparison Chart

Here is how the five kits stack up side by side. Match the torque capacity to your tune: an organic disc up to roughly 375 wtq for most Stage 2 cars, ceramic or twin-disc once you push past 400 lb-ft.

How to Choose the Right Clutch for Your Focus ST Build

The right Focus ST clutch is the lightest-duty one that safely holds your power, because more clamp and more aggressive friction material always cost you street comfort. Start with an honest dyno number or a realistic estimate of wheel torque for your tune, then work up from there.

Match the disc material to your torque

Organic discs (Exedy, Clutch Masters FX100, Competition Clutch Stage 2, XClutch twin) engage smoothly and quietly and are ideal up to roughly 375 wtq – which covers the vast majority of Stage 1 and Stage 2 STs. Segmented ceramic (Competition Clutch Stage 3) holds more torque and heat but grabs harder and adds noise. Twin-disc systems give you ceramic-level capacity with organic-level manners, which is why the XClutch can hold 500-plus lb-ft yet still crawl in traffic.

Should you add a lightweight flywheel?

A lightweight flywheel is optional but rewarding. Cutting rotating mass lets the 2.0L EcoBoost rev faster and sharpens throttle response, at the cost of a little more idle rattle and slightly trickier low-speed launches. If you want the crispest feel, pair the Competition Clutch Stage 2 with the matching Competition Clutch lightweight steel flywheel during the same install – the transmission is already out, so the added labor is minimal.

Do the job once

Because a Focus ST clutch job means pulling the transaxle, replace the wear items while you are in there. A fresh release bearing comes in every kit above, and it is worth adding an upgraded steel-braided clutch line for a firmer, more consistent pedal. Doing the supporting parts up front saves you a second labor bill later.