No such thing as a VCT clutch, its a silonoid.
If you eliminate the VCT you will need a SCT tune to eliminate teh wrror codes you get and to make the car run right. HTe unit is not part of the cam , so changing out the cam alone will not help you. The VCT system doesnt typicly go bad unless you are running oil that to heavy what are you using? Yes htey are expencive from ford....but with out one you cant pass emissions.