I'm sure this has been on here before, but I haven't seen it yet. I am in need of a clutch and I would like to get the ACT clutch on custommaxima.com. I will probably get a light weight flywheel and UDP at that time too. My brother has been using my car and took care of the clutch in the last 6,000 miles...car has 51k total now. My question is which stage is the way to go? Also, does the heavier clutch require a different slave master cylinder due to the added pressure, or can everything else stay stock? I am planning on SC'ing in the future, but I will be N/A for a while. And no, my brother will not be borrowing the car then! They say it's a heavy clutch, but I loved the way my friend's 2003 Mustang Cobra felt. Is this about the same pressure?

 

If you are going to be runing low boost use a stage one but if you run high boost use stage two. That is my 2 cents.

 

Something to consider, but I notice you mentioned using a UDP. If your going S/C, UDP will hurt you when running a S/C. You'll be slowing down the S/C with a UDP and won't be making as much boost....just a thought...

You could however go with a smaller pulley on the S/C to offset that....but really kind of pointless.

S

 

Interesting, I didn't know UDP would do that, are the light weight UDP's smaller? I would like to run a 3.12" pulley to get around 11psi, so I'm wondering what would be the best choice clutch, and if it's fine running that same clutch N/A for a while.

 

If you are going to run 11psi go with the ACT Stage 2 clutch.That is my 2 cents.

 

Thanks Civic Killer, I'm hoping after I file for my taxes in the next few weeks to use part of my refund for some improvements! Does anyone here have the ACT stage 2 clutch? I would like to know how heavy it feels? Is it heavier than lets say the new 2003 Mustang Cobra, becuase I actually thought that felt great.

Thanks for the info.

 

ACT stage 2=blown Max trans

is my guess.

 

My best bud has one in his max for a year or so and his tran is fine and he has a supercharger runing 9psi.

 

I'm running with the ACT Heavy Duty clutch - Stage 1 - with no problems so far.... Guess we'll see how long it lasts in the long run though...

Also, if you do the S/C... use the clutch you have now, until it burns up, no need replacing it until it's no good.

The UDP stands for Under Drive Pulley... so yes, it's got a smaller diameter than the stock one... You can get a lightened, stock size crank pulley if you want though...

I like my clutch, but it's going to take a few days for you to get used to the clutch chatter...

FYI - I'm running the stock crank pulley, 6.25", and the 3.125 pulley on the blower... My dyno shows 10.1 lbs at the manifold...

 

Hmmm, some things to consider. I definetely don't want to go the route of a blown trans. I know if I get a SC, I will be an even worse lead foot than now. I know the stage 2 puts more strain on the trans and the risks are higher, but I didn't know if the stage 1 could handle the boost. I guess in the end it would be better to change a clutch instead of a trans because a rebuilt trans is never the same again.

 

so guys do you recommend act over exedy,,, and in your opinion whats the best clutch for high boost turbo maxima and still safe for the tranny

 

exedy is one of the top clutch manufacturers. i'm going to use a SPEC clutch on my max however. you can get a 4 puck race disk with a sprung hub for better street driving which is really cool. i also hear a lot of people have noticed a lighter clutch pedal feel with the spec setup. www.nipponpower.com sells those.

oh yeah and btw, if you want even more gripping power for a lower price the 84-86 300zx Turbo clutch should work. i know it will fit on the flywheel for the 3rd gen maxima and since the same clutch is used from 85-99 they should also bolt onto the 4th gens.

84-86 300ZX 3.0L Turbo
Stage 1 - Clutch Kit w/ Organic Street Disc 395 lb-ft SN321 $ 275.95


Stage 2 - Clutch Kit w/ Kevlar Street Disc 450 lb-ft SN322 $ 305.95


Stage 3 - Clutch Kit w/ Sprung Hub Race Disc 515 lb-ft SN323 $ 319.95


85-99 Maxima 3.0L
Stage 1 - Clutch Kit w/ Organic Street Disc 360 lb-ft SN441 $ 295.95


Stage 2 - Clutch Kit w/ Kevlar Street Disc 395 lb-ft SN442 $ 335.95


Stage 3 - Clutch Kit w/ Sprung Hub Race Disc 469 lb-ft SN443 $ 349.95

 

Strain on the tranny all depends on how you use the clutch. If you are power shifting or chirping the tires and dropping the clutch at launch, then yes, you will shorten the life of your tranny. This is no different than what NA people are experiencing with the ACT street clutch. The ACT clutch allows you to shock the tranny more than the oem clutch, but that doesn't mean you have to. Once the clutch is fully engaged, strain on the tranny depends on power input from the engine and the clutch drops out of the picture.

 

ehhhh... no... its just how you drive it.... of course if you are going to be dropping it all day long, any clutch you have will destroy your tranny... just slip the clutch right and you'll be fine.
I've had my STAGE 3 clutchmaters clutch for 20k miles now, and its fine.. no tranny problems...
http://www.clutchmasters.com/shop/?p...264&AppID=3198

it transfers quite a lot of power

edit: stephen beat me to it