ACT 2100 installed - break-in question!

[lngbrdr]

Okay just got my clutch installed and all I have to say is . Damn thing engages so hard, either it is engaged or not engaged, no middle ground what so ever. Heck first thing I did was stall out, didn't realize it would be that much of a difference. With the break-in period will this get better, like a smoother engagement, or am I going to have to live with it? Thanks.

 

[Warmachine91vr4]

It wont get much better, they are called racing clutches for a reason, if you think thats bad trade me cars for a month dual disk 2900's are not fun my left leg is literally bigger than my right, instant engagement, i would not recommend for stop and go traffic.

 

[lngbrdr]

Okay so what is the breakin period supposed to do? I was under the impression that it should help to smooth the engagement out.

 

[heavyD]

Okay so what is the breakin period supposed to do? I was under the impression that it should help to smooth the engagement out.

You may have to adjust your pedal travel. I had the same issue until I adjusted the pedal to my liking.

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/clutchandflywheeltech.htm

 

[blackGSX2g]

Are you sure its adjusted properly? I have a 2600 in my car and it seems like a perfect clutch to me. Works great in city traffic and engages right in the middle like it should. After break in it smoothed everything out, but even with a brand new tranny, brand new motor, brand new clutch/flywheel, engagement was still very comfortable.

 

[Quasimondo]

Okay so what is the breakin period supposed to do? I was under the impression that it should help to smooth the engagement out.

The break-in of a clutch is to mate the pressure plate surface to the disc. It helps smooth the engagement out, but you're going with a clutch that has a higher spring rate than stock, so it's still going to be grabby. It takes some getting used to.

Pulled from ACT's website:

Do ACT clutches require a break in period?

For organic street discs "00 and SS" we recommend breaking in the clutch for 200-300 miles with mild engagement such as stop and go city driving prior to racing or spirited driving. ACT race discs usually only require a few hard slips to lap in the surfaces prior to normal driving or racing. Do not overheat the clutch during the break in period.

I should also add that you shouldn't launch the car during the break in period as well.

 

[trbotaln]

actually your clutch should get a little bit better. Mine did the same thing and now it is a very smooth engagment and you can ride it perfectly.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

I went about 300 miles on my break-in, just to play it safe.

 

[KPWSerpiente]

It is not so much that the clutch gets better....but that you get used to it. I had a rough first week after the 2100 went in. Now it feels real weak compared to my boy's 2600.

-T

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

About 5 years ago the guy at the transmission shop installed my 2100 and other parts and told me that I didnt need to break it in. We drove it and wailed on it pretty hard... never had any problems with it either. hmmm...

 

[DSMTalonAWD51]

You may have to adjust your pedal travel. I had the same issue until I adjusted the pedal to my liking.

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/clutchandflywheeltech.htm

right on the money. When its brand new it will grab FAST, but after a week it will be a little better and after a couple months it will feel like stock again.
If it feels heavy its not adjusted right. Go to roadrace to see how to adjust it. I have had 2 ACT 2600's. The first was installed by a tire shop, and it was the heaviest pedal I have ever felt, drove like crap, and I avoilded traffic at all cost. The 2nd was installed at roadrace, and after it broke in it engaged and was as light as stock. Rob at roadrace told me the adjustment is critical not only for streetability, but if its not properly adjusted it can lead to crankwalk fast.

For break in, they told just to go easy on it for 700miles or so.

 

[Thomas91169]

i remember when i first had my 2100 installed. the shop had a gravel driveway, and i kept stalling it since it had no give when it engaged. so i had to do a burnout to slide my way out of the gravel and onto pavement.

that "insta-grab" feeling goes away after a while. then you miss it and wish you could get a clutch that did insta grab all the time.

i drove it easy for a hour or two. later that night i was out whooping the same people who i lost to the earlier week because of slipping in 2nd and 3rd.