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The Nissan 370Z isn't just a sports car; it's a driving enthusiast's dream. With its sleek design, powerful VQ37VHR engine, and manual transmission, the 370Z offers enthusiasts a thrilling, hands-on driving experience. But what really improves the 370Z's performance is its performance clutch—a game-changing component that serves as the critical link between the engine and the wheels, ensuring smoother shifts and better acceleration.
So, what's in store for you in this guide? We're diving deep into the world of Nissan 370Z clutch kits. From understanding why a high-quality clutch is crucial in a sports car like the 370Z to exploring your options and helping you make an informed choice, we've got you covered. Buckle up, because we're about to take this conversation into high gear!
The SPEC Stage 2 Clutch Kit is extremely versatile, designed for a range of driving styles from street to drag, drifting, autocross, and even road racing. With a torque capacity of 390 ft-lbs, this clutch kit features a segmented or full-faced pure Kevlar disc backed by steel. This ensures not just excellent drivability similar to a stage 1 clutch but also offers a longer lifespan and higher torque capacity. The hub is double-sprung and comes with heat-treated components, making it both flexible and durable. The kit also includes a high clamp pressure plate, pure Kevlar friction material, a high-torque sprung hub and disc assembly, as well as a bearing and tool kit. If you're looking for a great performance replacement for your stock clutch, the SPEC Stage 2 Clutch Kit is your go-to.
The Competition Clutch Stage 2 Clutch Kit is a powerhouse, offering up to an 80% increase in torque capacity. It's perfect for aggressive street use and even moderate track use, ensuring long term reliability. This clutch kit features a performance pressure plate and a high-torque sprung disc with anti-burst steel-backed Brass Plus facings. It also comes with a release bearing and alignment tool. The Brass Plus material, combined with its alloy backing and performance pressure plate, ensures smooth engagement and extended life.
The ACT Performance Street Clutch Kit is designed for the demanding 370Z owner. It features an Xtreme pressure plate that uses an exclusive diaphragm design to increase clamp load and reduce deflection, thereby maximizing clutch disc life. This ACT clutch kit comes with a disc made of premium organic materials with high copper content, ensuring better heat transfer and greater burst strength. With a product weight of 18.6 lbs and a torque capacity of 545 ft-lbs, this HD clutch kit is both lightweight and powerful, making it a popular choice for performance-oriented drivers.
The Action Clutch Stage 1 Organic Clutch Kit is all about balance. It offers a significant increase in clamping force while retaining OEM driving characteristics. The clutch kit features a reinforced steel back organic clutch system and provides a 50% increase in holding capacity. The pedal feel is light and OEM-like, with smooth engagement. It's also equipped with a single diaphragm heavy-duty pressure plate and a reinforced organic sprung disc. This makes it ideal for heavy-duty street use and even mild track use.
The Z1 Motorsports Performance Clutch Kit is designed specifically for naturally aspirated and boosted Nissan 370Zs or Infiniti G37s. The clutch kit comes complete with a pilot bushing and alignment tool, in addition to the pressure plate and friction disc. The pressure plate exceeds OEM specifications, offering slightly higher clamping force with very little change in pedal feel. The friction disc is made with an upgraded organic metallic material, providing good wear and great engagement. This clutch is designed to hold up to engines producing 500 ft/lbs of torque or less, making it a reliable choice for most drivers.
The Clutch Masters 850 Twin-Disc Clutch Kit is designed specifically for high horsepower Nissan 350Z and 370Z projects. This clutch kit is recommended for drag racing and occasional street use. It offers smooth engagement, quiet operation, and a high clamp load, making it a top choice for those looking to maximize their Z's performance without sacrificing drivability.
The Competition Clutch Twin Clutch Kit is a high performance clutch kit designed for VQ37VHR engines in the 370Z and G37 chassis. This clutch kit drastically increases horsepower holding capacity while maintaining excellent drivability. It features two 240mm full-faced discs and a performance aluminum pressure plate, providing additional friction for engagement. The strapped mid plate and pressure plate design ensure smooth, noise-free clutch engagement. With a holding capability of 750 wheel torque, this clutch kit is one of the most capable units on the market.
The OS Giken R-Series Clutch Kit is the highest capacity clutch available from OS Giken and is designed for HR and VQ37VHR equipped Nissan Zs with significantly increased engine power. Its unique floating center hub design is built to withstand the abuse from high-powered race cars. Paired with a unique billet aluminum clutch cover, this clutch can easily handle over 1000 hp, making it a component for any high horsepower build..
The Action Clutch Twin Disc Clutch Kit is designed for racing applications that require serious power. The Twin Disc Kit features two sintered metallic race discs formulated in the USA. These discs offer higher heat capacity thanks to their unique friction mix and ventilated 6061-T6 Billet Aluminum clutch cover design. What sets this clutch apart is its smooth engagement The multi-plate assemblies offer increased clamping force without requiring double the pedal pressure, making it a top choice for all types of street and track use.
The ACT XT/Race Sprung 6 Pad Kit is designed for 370Z owners that like to push their cars hard. It features an Xtreme pressure plate that uses an exclusive diaphragm design to increase clamp load, reduce deflection, and maximize clutch life. The 6-pad spring-centered race disc is designed to damp torsional vibrations and resist failure under harsh conditions. With a weight of 18.9 lbs and a torque capacity of 695 ft-lbs, the ACT 6 Pad clutch is built for performance.
In a manual transmission like the one in the 370Z, the clutch acts as the bridge between the engine and the transmission. When you press the clutch pedal, you're essentially disconnecting the engine from the transmission to change gears. This is what allows you to go from a standstill to cruising speed and beyond, all while keeping your engine's RPMs in the optimal range.
A aftermarket 370Z clutch kit isn't just about smooth gear shifts; it's also about performance. A good clutch will offer a quicker and more precise engagement, allowing for better acceleration and more control when driving at high speeds. This is especially important in a sports car like the 370Z, where every second counts whether you're on the track or just enjoying a spirited drive.
If you're experiencing slippage, where the engine revs but the car doesn't accelerate as it should, or if you're hearing strange noises when the clutch engages, it's probably time for a new clutch. Other signs include a stiff or loose clutch pedal and difficulty in changing gears. Don't ignore these symptoms; a failing clutch can lead to more severe problems down the line.
The organic clutch is the most common type and is often found in stock 370Zs. Made from organic material like fiberglass or brass, these clutches are known for their smooth engagement and are ideal for daily driving. However, they may not be the best choice for aggressive driving or racing due to their limited heat tolerance.
Ceramic clutches are designed for high-performance situations. They offer excellent heat resistance and are great for aggressive driving styles, but they can be a bit harsh for daily driving. The engagement is more abrupt, which can be a pro or a con depending on your driving needs.
Kevlar clutches are a middle-ground option, offering smoother engagement than ceramic but better heat resistance than organic clutches. They're durable and long-lasting, making them a good choice for those who want a blend of performance and daily drivability.
Multi-disc clutches are the beasts of the clutch world. These are generally twin or triple-disc setups that offer incredible torque capacity and heat dissipation. They're generally overkill for daily driving, with the main use cases for them turbo and or supercharger builds or track prepped Z34s..
We've journeyed together through the intricate world of Nissan 370Z clutches, and we hope you've found this guide invaluable. Whether you're a weekend warrior on the track or someone who enjoys a spirited drive, we've got clutch recommendations tailored for you.
But the journey doesn't have to end here! We've got more in-depth guides that can help you further enhance your Nissan 370Z. If you're looking to make your shifts quicker and more precise, our guide on short shifters is a must-read. And if you're aiming to optimize your engine's rotational mass, our comprehensive guide on flywheels is not to be missed. These guides are your next steps to completely transforming your 370Z!.
Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helps take your Z's performance to the next level.
The average lifespan can vary based on driving habits, but generally, you can expect around 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
The cost can range from $1,000 to $2,000, including parts and labor.
Yes, if you have the right tools and some mechanical know-how, you can install a new clutch yourself. However, if you're not confident, it's better to seek professional help.
Signs include slippage, difficulty in shifting, and strange noises when the clutch engages or disengages.
A single-disc clutch is sufficient for most street driving, while a twin-disc clutch offers higher torque capacity and is better suited for racing or high performance driving.
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