GOTTA HAVE IT
ACT SFI Approved High Performance Clutch Kits For The Nissan 350z
By Ari Rubin
Posted on Sep 1, 2004

You started out as a Car Sound enthusiasts, and got into performance upgrades when that became popular on the show scene. You added visual mods first, then a few engine dress up items, followed by an air intake. You added an exhaust recently and upgraded your suspension and brakes, and now your ready to get into more serious performance territory. You’ve gotten a taste of the speed, and you want more, but you want to upgrade the right way.

When your ready to move beyond the classic intake/header/exhaust level of performance mods, and get your car ready to race with the big boys there are many things that you need to do to take your car to the next level. One of these things is upgrading your clutch. If you add horsepower in the form of turbo or superchargers-and especially nitrous-you will need to get a performance clutch upgrade, your legs and knees will thank you.

Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) has released new high performance clutch kits and components for the 2003-05 Nissan 350Z. ACT’s new clutch kits for the 350Z feature a Heavy Duty Pressure Plate that incorporates hardened diaphragm fingers for decreased wear and provides a 35-percent increase in clamp load over the stock unit-the company says.

The ACT Street Clutch Kit combines the Heavy Duty Pressure Plate and a Performance Organic Disc, a disc that features special performance organic friction materials to withstand increased heat and abuse, steel backed linings for high burst strength and modifications engineered for quicker shifting, the company asserts. The ACT Street Clutch Kit provides a moderate and consistent pedal feel, smooth engagement, significantly improved durability and increases the torque capacity to 517 ft. pounds, ACT reports.

ACT Race Clutch Kits will hold 662 ft. pounds of torque. Metallic Ceramic XTreme Discs are available in 6 puck design and are very durable while allowing for quick shifting. The Xtreme Discs are design for high power engines and is recommended for track use only.

All ACT Pressure Plates and discs for the 350Z are SFI certified. Kits include a new release bearing.

The Street Clutch kit will cost you $721.18; the Race Clutch carries an MSRP of $589.72.