Mix and Match Clutch Parts

[Chad Noles]

I was wonder about mixing a ACT clutch disc with standard Mitsubishi parts.I'm looking at an ACT 3000301 disc with the regular Mitsu Pressure Plate,Release Bearing,and Clutch Fork.

Cover Assembly, Clutch - Mitsubishi (MD735732)​

Bearing, Clutch Release - Mitsubishi (MD749998)​

Fork, Clutch Release - Mitsubishi (MD770506)​

Does this sound like it should be ok for my Street Only Stock (so far) car.I'm looking to save money by using the ACT disc over the Mitsu clutch disc.All these parts should match according to specs(spine,size,etc).Just wondering if or how people have mixed clutch parts before.

 

[Kryndon]

You can, although both manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers advise not to. Not only because they simply want to sell more of their OWN crap, but also because a clutch kit it most often designed to work as one unit up to specific loads. So if an ACT pressure plate is lets say rated at 1000ftlbs, that is only applicable if you're matching it with an ACT clutch disc and even an ACT flywheel.

HOWEVER, and this is a big however... you can still get away with mixing and matching clutch parts IF your parts are within spec and / or modified to work together. What I mean is for example the factory service manual says the flywheel step height limit is from 0.608-0.611". Most aftermarket DSM clutch kits are manufactured also to follow this limit, so you would need to firstly resurface your flywheel to get the step right and make sure its clean for a new disc.

In your case the only "different" part you're installing is a friction disc which theoretically should have a better friction material. It wont change how much torque the stock pressure plate can hold but it will affect the pedal feel and how it 'grabs'. My advice is resurface your flywheel towards the middle of the spec range (~0.609" step height) and also check the compressed and uncompressed thicknesses of the ACT disc. You can even test fit the whole assembly and use a big C clamp or some sort of press to check just how much margin you will have.

Personally I am running a resurfaced Competition pressure plate with a 10+ year old Southbend clutch disc which I put new high quality friction material on, and a resurfaced stock GSX flywheel. Thing feels great and holds 25 pounds of boost.

MAKE SURE TO BREAK IN YOUR CLUTCH RIGHT!

 

[Chad Noles]

Kryndon, thanks for your reply.

As I said, I'll be installing whatever I use on a stock tranny with a stock engine. I'm just trying to get the car back on the road with as little expense as I can for now.

It's a F5M22-2 tranny on a 2.0l NA 4g63 1g. It's not gonna be making much power or torque for the time being. The info on plate height is very helpful. I'll have to check how the ACT 3000301 will fit with the Mitsu Pressure Plate.

Right now the stock flywheel looks fine-no scoring or disc residue. I'll check for flatness, but it seems ok.

I'm doing this while I have the engine torn down so it's MIGHT AS WELL.

Thanks again for your reply.