Has anyone tried out the new JWT multi-disc cluch? I am thinking about getting it... I've also been eyeing the ACT clutch NX9-XT00 . Says the tq capacity is 323ft. lbs. Has anyone pushed one of these? I am going to be making around 375-400whp and I need something that will hold up decently... at least for a few months.. I hate to go 6 puck.... ;)
Travis

I've driven the JWT double-disc, and let me tell you, it is absolute butter. Super easy and precise pedal feel, about half the stock travel, smooth engagement, etc.. and not a far cry from a nice disc/PP/flywheel/TOB package. Weighs what, like, half a regular setup? Plus you're getting true race equipment. If you are like me and want to avoid solid-hub or pucked clutches at all costs, check out Clutchnet and Clutch Specialties. I think the guy at Clutch Specialties really knows his stuff and won't try to sell you a puck clutch when you don't need it. Clutchnet is good too (not just saying that because they are a sponsor :) ) just don't let them try to sell you a double-diaphragm pressure plate. My current setup is a Clutchnet sprung-hub disc with high-performance organic facing on the flywheel side (smooth, doesn't wear flywheel) and segmented Fibertuff on the PP side (sort of like small kevlar-like pucks, maybe 10-12 of them. great grab) I'm currently using this in conjunction with a Clutch Specialties pressure plate (2000 lb.) Several of the high-HP socal cars are using a similar setup. Ryan Besterwitch and Zak's cars have this disc and equivalent PPs. It has smooth, chatter-free engagement and the Clutch Specialties PP has stock-like effort. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Andris Laivins

Thanks!! That realy helps out a lot! I thought I was limited to a damn 6 puck... Who should I contact to get a good deal on these parts? I would like to try this disc that you are talking about from Clutchnet.. and the Clutch Specialties PP... Thanks
Travis

Originally posted by unlucky
Thanks!! That realy helps out a lot! I thought I was limited to a damn 6 puck... Who should I contact to get a good deal on these parts? I would like to try this disc that you are talking about from Clutchnet.. and the Clutch Specialties PP... Thanks
Travis

In both cases, I've dealt directly with the company, in person even!. They will both sell to the public (search the web for their contact info), and I also know that Louis Anaya (TurbochargedSER) is a dealer for Clutchnet, so you may get a good deal from him.

Regarding your combo... It is my opinion that the best way to go when getting a clutch is to get a matched disc/PP set from one manufacturer. This ensures that they are both manufactured to the same specifications and there will be no clearance issues with them. Apparently, the SR20 clutch disc (and maybe some other Nissans?) from the factory is a little thinner than industry standard in the clutch business. Just about every aftermarket clutch manufacturer gets their friction materials and other supplies from the same manufacturers/distributors. This means that when you purchase an aftermarket clutch disc, it is usually going to be a little thicker than the stock disc. Since all aftermarket PPs start life as an OEM-style pressure plate and are subsequently modified in the aftermarket to increase clamping force etc.. when paired with an aftermarket disc, the large metal cast plate in the PP must be machined down to compensate for the excess disc thickness. That said, as long as Clutch Specialties knows what disc is going in, there shouldn't be a problem.

Now, for my opinion wrap-up:
I'd just pick one company from the two and get both. Why? Both Clutchnet and Clutch Specialties can make you anything you want. I've personally met with the owners of both of these companies and have been in their shops and each seems to be good at what they do. To be sure, either way you'll be supporting a small American business. On one hand, the Clutchnet disc is cool because of the dual friction materials and they have recently developed an outer plate rivited to the hub to prevent the springs from squirming or coming out and trashing the tranny. (I think Greg had a pic of his recently) They can make a pressure plate with increased clamping force as well, similar to Clutch Specialties. You must make sure they know you want a single-diaphragm with more force, not a dual. I had a dual and it was veeeeery bad.

On the other hand, after talking with Brian at Clutch Specialties for a while, I really liked his attitude. He seemed to be of the same mindset as I: He thinks the ubiquitous unsprung 6-puck ACTs are overkill and are linked to tranny failure because of chatter and harsh engagement. He likes to set people up with good, high-performance organic discs and a modified PP. He is not the type to recommend an overkill, miserable-on-the-street clutch. He also took the time to explain in detail the reasons why the PP must be machined to match a disc in SE-Rs and other clutch tech. As a data point, Jay Hassinger was running an ACT organic sprung disc and heavy-duty PP in his 400 hp car and never had it slip until after a few launches on slicks at that power level. That ACT package is comparable to what I mentioned above, but the Clutch Specialties should cost a lot less, and I like to support smaller companies.

Andris

So your saying with any clutch it should be machined to the flywheel, even if the flywheel is aftermarket? Or just the Stock flywheel?

I've had two Clutch Specialties Hyper clutches one organic disk for bolt on set up now a 6 puck and I loved them both. Brian is a well knowledgable person who actually used to work for ACT but started his own business. Is prices are outstanding and the customer service doesn't lack the least. You can look him up at www.clutchspecialties.com

Originally posted by civicdragon
So your saying with any clutch it should be machined to the flywheel, even if the flywheel is aftermarket? Or just the Stock flywheel?

Originally posted by civicdragon
So your saying with any clutch it should be machined to the flywheel, even if the flywheel is aftermarket? Or just the Stock flywheel?

No no no, It has nothing to do with the flywheel. I'm talking about the pressure plate. Some material is removed from the clamping surface in the pressure plate. If this is not done, the Pressure Plate "fingers" will already be part-way through their travel when you bolt the PP to the flywheel and tighten it down over the thicker disc. When you push the clutch pedal, the Pressure plate won't have enough travel in the fingers left to fully release the clutch; or at the very least, will require pushing the pedal really far, with increased effort. Flywheel thickness is entirely independent and can be compensated for with clutch cable adjustment. You cannot compensate for the PP finger inclination with cable adjustment.

However, you realistically shouldn't ever have to even worry about this. I was just throwing it out there as a piece of info. Generally, you will never encounter the above-mentioned problems since most aftermarket manufacturers use the same-thickness discs, and therefore *should be machining all the PPs to the same specs. ... "should" is the key word here. The only time you will have a problem is if you mix and match an aftermarket disc with a stock PP or an aftermarket PP that has not been machined. Still, to be on the safe side, I'd buy a set from one company - there isn't much reason to mix-and-match.

Andris

I see, reread your post, I see now he was just showing his knowledge. So out of the three which one would be better? Cost, quality, and performancewise?
Act, Clutchnet, or Clutch Specialties?

ACT has also come out with a new and improved heavy duty street disc So i'm looking into that as well.

BTW what was your cost on that clutchnet, clutch specialties combo?

I had talked to Ryan Besterwich about his setup, just didn't know the company he got it from. Just think about it- 400hp car with over 100k on the FMAX kit, car was a nitrous drinking monster before that, all on the original tranny. He used these clutches as well as either Royal Purple or Redline Shockproof type gear oil and again, original tranny, original 3rd gear, etc. I know if I ever get to those hp levels this is what I'll DEFINITELY invest in.

I talked to Brian at Clutch Specialties earlier today.. He recommended a street disc with a 2000lb pressure plate. My concern is the stress it will put on the thrust bearing. Is 2000lb's too much? Or have people been running it? He seemed very knowledgeable about the SR20... Just want a second opinion.
Travis

Originally posted by unlucky
I talked to Brian at Clutch Specialties earlier today.. He recommended a street disc with a 2000lb pressure plate. My concern is the stress it will put on the thrust bearing. Is 2000lb's too much? Or have people been running it? He seemed very knowledgeable about the SR20... Just want a second opinion.
Travis

2000 lbs. is pretty normal. That should be about like an ACT HD. This is a nice, streetable clamping level. I'm running it and it has very light pedal effort. I believe stock/replacement PPs are around 1100-1400 lbs, depending on the manufacturer. When you get to maybe 2500-3000lbs, it will be utter shit to drive. Most people with an upgraded PP are probably at or near 2000 lbs. The ACT Xtreme PPs are more than that.

What price did he quote you for the package?

Andris