ACT or SPEC

[Aproductions]

I'm trying to get all the facts about these 2 clutches for our cars.
for 350-400FWHP and I have a 1999 7 bolt

so far:

ACT- I've heard spring issues with them and that the 2600 is too harsh for my 7 bolt, they are expensive, but many people use them, I also heard people getting stuck in second gear while racing (at the strip)?
**so I think I would wanna use a 2100 pressure plate to be on the safe side, but then I would use a 6 puck sprung disk....who else uses that combo, and can it handle my hp goals>?

SPEC- Some people use these and they are cheaper which I like, I am looking at the spec stage 3....not 3+...I want the 6 puck sprung.(Maperformance)


either way I will use the ACT Streetlite flywheel.

 

[tjbiker031]

I have a 2100 PP and a street disk with a 16g. i get pretty rough quite often and she seems to hold up pretty good.

i believe the act 2100 will hold that. may slip a little when u get close to 400hp

 

[Gasolinebaptism]

I'd go with the tried and true 2600 w/ street disk.
Because if you're talking about the 2600 being to harsh, then you need to realize it's the disk not the pp that creates most of that, and a 6 puck and 2100 would be harsher than a 2600 and street disk. They will hold around the same power in that set up, but I would trust the 2600 more.
A 6 puck disk is designed to be pretty on/off, there isn't much friction area, making it a good choice for drag racing, but not being very streetable.

 

[Aproductions]

I'd go with the tried and true 2600 w/ street disk.
Because if you're talking about the 2600 being to harsh, then you need to realize it's the disk not the pp that creates most of that, and a 6 puck and 2100 would be harsher than a 2600 and street disk. They will hold around the same power in that set up, but I would trust the 2600 more.

thanks man, I never knew that because people always blamed crankwalk on the extreme duty 2600 pressure plate.....I didn't mean harsh as in on or off, I meant harsh as in killing my thrust bearing.

so am I confused with this still?

2600 with street disk is better for my crank than 2100 with 6puck sprung?

thanks

 

[10fold]

I went with Spec not too long ago based on a buddy's experience. He had the 2+ (I have the 2 in currently) and he was definitely making close to 400 whp. He had probably around 50 passes on that clutch with the Streetlite flywheel. He was using 2-step with anti-lag to launch, so it's not like he babied it off the line. He was running low 12's at the time too. My stage 2 is very streetable, so I can't complain. Make sure to get an OEM throw out bearing too, and maybe some stainless clutch lines if you have the money.

 

[ReYnd]

If you're going to be using it on the street at all, go with a full surface disk. Pucks are very on/off and create a lot of drivetrain shock. Probably a good idea to go with a sprung disk too, to lessen the shock even more. I'm currently keeping away from ACT since I want to avoid spring breakage. Probably not very likely anymore, but there are cheaper alternatives that don't seem to have those problems anyway. Currently looking at kits from Spec, Competition, and South Bend.

Can't comment on the harshness of the 2600 vs 2100 on the thrust bearing, but I'd say anything with a heavier pressure plate would be tougher on it. Since it's that much more force pushing everything together.

 

[Gasolinebaptism]

Well a 2600 w/ street disk would be smoother, and therefore easier on the crank yes, however, you being post 97 are quite unlikely to develop walk. I wouldn't worry about it man.

 

[Aproductions]

regardless I'm getting an oem TOB, master to slave SS line, and ACT streetlite.

I was thinking the spec 3 or act 2600, ....I just heard the act might be hard getting into second and the spring issue, havent heard anything bad about the spec.

 

[Gasolinebaptism]

Simple honest answer, the spec will likely be just fine. But there is a reason the majority of dsm'ers use ACT. And most of these guys with trouble shifting made a mistake when installing their 2600, for example they didn't have the flywheel stepped to .612 from the factory .628.
Sounds like a tiny difference, but it changes the world. Just take care when you install, don't skip any bases and you'll be happy.

 

[Aproductions]

for example they didn't have the flywheel stepped to .612 from the factory .628.

well most people including myself don't know that haha.

If I get the act streetlite is it ready to go or does it need machining?

 

[Gasolinebaptism]

Most performance flywheels should be matched to a particular clutch setup, and the ACT streetlite should be at about .612, however, it never hurts to take the thing in to a machinist to have it checked for 5$.