Well, it's time for a new clutch. My clutch is slipping and catching nice and high, I think I only have about a month left on my current clutch. I already posted in the regional forum looking for a reputable place to get it installed for a good price, but now I have to decide between ACT and OEM.

My OEM clutch has lasted 70k miles and I never really had a major problem with it. I've been looking into ACT for over a year and have read some stories about them that were both negative and positive. It's about twice the cost of OEM and I really want one, but I would rather have a clutch I don't have to worry about if the ACT is really giving people trouble.

I guess I'm looking for people who have had their ACT for over 15,000 miles to give me a testamonial. Anyone who would like to offer their opinion of OEM vs. ACT is also welcome, but as you can see, I'm trying to make the most cost effective choice as labor is going to cost me around $400 it seems and if the ACT isn't that great in the long run, I'd rather spend $180 on an OEM clutch instead of the ~$375 the ACT will cost me.

Opinions please ...

 

Do you have/planning on any major power adders? If not, the stock clutch will be strong enough to hold and lessen the "risk" of damage to the transmission.

If you're making more than bolt-on NA power, you'll need a different aftermarket clutch, and that's when most people get the ACT.

This thread could get heated

 

Mmmmm, future plans, that's what makes this even harder for me. I will either get rid of my car in 6 months or maybe keep it for another year or two. If I keep it, there is a possibility of boost, albeit a small one. However, I think if I was to spend the $3000-$5000 on all the parts that make a good SC'd car, another $375 wouldn't kill me.

In other words, I have no doubt that I would enjoy the ACT - even with N/A bolt ons, I'm basically asking about the longevity of the ACT. I'm perfectly willing to spent the extra $200 it will cost me for the ACT if I know it will last.

 

I've had my ACT for ~50K miles now. Still works extremely well, very firm engagements, have never experienced any even mild slippage. From day one, the ACT has also provided very smooth engagements with absolutely no chatter or other adverse effects. The only downside is the stiff clutch pedal. I went on vacation for 2 weeks where I drove a newer Corolla manual. When I first drove my Maxima again, man the clutch pedal was brutally stiff in comparison. Only took me one drive to get used to it again, but I must admit nonetheless that the clutch pedal is awefully stiff. The car just doesn't feel as nice n sweet as before...more hardcore.

 

Hardcore to be expected and I know I wouldn't have a problem with it. I know mom and pop wouldn't like it for instance, but if I do sell this car, is it stiff enough that you think it might hinder someone from buying the car?

By the way, excellent testamonial, exactly what I was looking for

 

I agree with Keven97SE about the smoothness. My ACT is freakishly close to my OEM clutch in regards to smoothness. Sometimes it engages too smoothly and I wonder if it's lost it's "bite". Then I floor it and get reminded of it's quick clamping power. Shifts into second gear aren't what I expected though. I get a couple loud "bangs" and barely any tire spinnage. Shifting into third is sweet, becuase it engages instantly.

The other day I chirped 4th gear @4000rpm. Sometimes my driving abilitys go from crappy --> Dave B. instantly.

 

how about you choose a clutch that's inbetween?

exedy performance stage 1... $225 group deal goin on, but will end this thursday.

 

If you are going to get rid of it, the new owner(or potential buyers) might not like the stiff pedal.

 

Your engine mounts are going to be shot Craig.

I've had my ACT for 15,000 miles almost exactly, but the clutch has been in for a year and a half. I get very little chatter, and engagement is smooth as long as you're a decent driver. I used to work at Carmax, so I can comment on how clutches on most other cars are lighter; however, at the end of the day I always loved driving my car home. Having an ACT makes it that much easier to move onto bigger mods, so if I hadn't had my ACT I probably wouldn't have bought my nitrous kit.

For the people that think ACTs chatter too much/engage too hard, go drive a 4 or 6 puck. After I drive a 6 puck I feel like my car has an OEM type clutch
-hype

 

Even if I rarely drop the clutch on the 1-2 shift? How else is one supposed to shift when racing?

 

I know what you are talking about by the loud bangs, and I tried to avoid the sound by not shifting quite so hard. When I shifted hard it sounded like I was launching from a standstill, the front end would hop, I my CD would skip. Overall you're taking life off of the clutch, CV joints, and engine/tranny mounts.
-hype

 

I asked this in the 4th gen forum, but I'm wondering about the Xtreme pressure plate versus the Heavy duty pressure plate that usually comes with this kit. A heavier disc will tear up your tranny if I remember correctly, but what about this heavier pressure plate? Is this good, bad, or neutral?

 

you can get a ACT for under $360, contact Jhansmax in the SE section he was selling them for like $320 new something like that not $360.
Go with a ACT, if you drive normally and sometimes feel like putting the pedal to the metal you wont regret the ACT clutch. The stories you have read hmmmm I wonder why peeps break their trannies? In any case I broken one, I was putting the pedal to the metal like I had no sense. Unlike others I now know what it takes to break a tranny. There are many that have the ACTs' and are pushing lots of power. Sprintmax been one of them use to spray N2O, and I know he has an ACT. I have a ACT and dont regret having it. If we have people crying like Bit*ches and h*oes then they need not to mod the car to complain how about stiff the pedal is they need to eat breakfast or something the clutch is pretty soft., they need to drive autos. The ACT is not a stiff clutch and is not a 4 puck clutch etc..

 

I have around 6k on mine. For some reason I get clutch chatter when the car gets warm. I only get clutch chatter if I drive the car without feeding it gas from a stop. The pedal can be a real ***** in traffic since its so stiff. Besides that, overall driving enjoyment is definitely improved. ACT cltuches supposedly last longer than stock too.

 

once you make your decision, if you want an ACT email me.

btw my take on ACT is they are great. i have one and love it. but if you dont intend on driving hard or adding power or are going to sell the car, I'd go factory oem clutch (knockoff oem clutches can be verry troublesome be careful)

 

Yup. When me and Chaz converted my car to 5spd, he installed a "dynomaxx" $110 generic OEM replica clutch. It was horrible. Extremely smooth, but horrible for any kind of performance. It would slip every now and then too.

 

I Got my ACT clutch kit for $300 even+shipping from Stillen...I've only had it for about 3-4 months now...maybe 3-4K miles on it...i love it, and yes i do get that hopping b/w the 1-2 shifts that feels le ur killing the car, so i try to refrain from doing it, but sometimes i cant help it and do it every once in a while, gotta have fun w/ it since i paid the $ for it,right? anyway, i couldnt really compar cuz itz my first car, and my OEM clutch was pretty much dead when i got the car(couldnt even get a jolt out of 1-2 shifts when shifting hard) but i can feel the stiffness when i drive mine compared to a couple of friends car that still have oem clutches. If yo decide to go w/ the ACT ask for Dean at Ext. 182 from Stillen tell him ur from the org and that i recommended ya, he'll work w/ ya. i got that and a type II wing which is yet to be installed hopefully soon tho.
-Steve-

 

I agree. I don't think the stiff pedal is exactly a selling point. Depends on who you sell to though, as some may not mind it or even like it.

 

be careful.. i have had my ACT since 2001.. one time i got into a co-worker's geo metro and i nearly had to buy her a new floorpan.

her clutch felt it was hooked up to a napkin compared to the ACT.

 

which floor pan did you knock out? the one under her bed or the cars floor pan? or both?

we know what you doing out there in Hawaii with the Samoan girls

 

come on would i knock out here floor pan