Recently, our technical department received some questions about dual-friction clutch discs. Here’s why ACT chooses to go with the same friction materials on each side of our clutch discs.
Two of the most important concepts in performance clutch functionality are flatness and parallelism. When using anything other than identical friction materials on each side of a clutch disc, the differences in thermal conductivity and coefficient of friction create an unavoidable variance in temperature between the two disc surfaces as the clutch heats up. This temperature difference, combined with the unmatched thermal expansion properties, creates a condition where the disc is vulnerable to deforming out of flat and, in some cases, out of parallel as well.
Out of flat and out of parallel discs contribute to poor shifting (more pedal travel required), clutch drag and judder. You want a flat cracker but you might end up with a wavy potato chip.
Advanced Clutch Technology is running a photo contest on Instagram. Post photos that capture our new hashtag, #GoACT. The photo that gets the most likes by the end of the contest period wins a custom, ACT-skinned PlayStation 3.
Entries* will be accepted between 12:00 AM (PST) 5/10/13 and 11:59 PM (PST) 6/14/2013. A winner will be selected and notified via Instagram on or around 06/21/13.
*All entries are to comply with Instagram’s Terms of Use.
LANCASTER, CALIF., May 2, 2013 — People love good secrets. So, when Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) engineers began developing a solution to the common problem with standard two-piece wedge collars found in Japanese pull-type clutches, they engineered Monoloc — a secret design too good to keep quiet about.
Monoloc is a direct replacement and upgrade to the two-piece wedge collar in pull-type clutches for the Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru WRX, Subaru WRX STi and Mazda RX-7. Its one-piece construction eliminates the collar snap ring from bending or popping out of place, which typically leads to clutch failure or severe pressure plate damage.
“The problem usually occurs during racing or ‘enthusiastic driving,’” Dirk Starksen, ACT president and lead engineer on the Monoloc project, said, “The snap ring of the wedge collar sometimes pops out of place and doesn’t seat back into the release bearing. This causes the snap ring to bend and the clutch to stop working.”
Monoloc fixes these issues. The spring tension of the segmented retaining ring has been carefully calculated and tested for optimal performance. The one-piece wedge collar provides uniform loading on the bearing and pressure plate to assure proper alignment, regardless of driver influence or vehicle modifications. In addition, Monoloc’s hardened, Chromoly steel construction will provide years of service.
Monoloc can serve as a upgrade feature for pull-type pressure plates using a standard wedge collar design and is available separately, exclusively from ACT, for $80. It installs just like stock. Also, it is featured in a growing list of several newly-developed pull-type pressure plates available from ACT and distributors.
To view the full press release and specification sheets, or to find out which pressure plates and clutch kits have been superseded with redesigned parts featuring Monoloc, click here.
Installation Video
To view the video on how to properly install Monoloc, please click here.
The Formula DRIFT season opener was a good way to kick-start the season for ACT-sponsored drift drivers competing at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course April 12-13. Five of ACT-sponsored drivers made it to the Top 16, including the 2009 Formula DRIFT Champion, Chris Forsberg, who earned third place.Forsberg qualified 15th and made his way to third place after facing Darren McNamara, fellow ACT-sponsored driver, Ryan Tuerck and Chelsea DeNofa. ACT would like to congratulate the Chris Forsberg Racing team on their podium achievement. Forsberg runs a custom ACT multidisc clutch kit and flywheel in his NOS Energy Drink/Hankook Nissan 370Z.“We wanted to create a setup that would not only hold the power, be lightweight and durable, but also work with all the components they were already using,” said Tyler Jones, a Research and Development technician at ACT.
“The guys at Chris Forsberg Racing have been great to work with,” Jones continued, “It has been very helpful for us as there has been a constant dialogue between us and they have been very good to get us feedback on our parts.”
Other highlights for the event include the tandem competition between ACT-sponsored driver Fredric Aasbo and Daigo Saito in the Top 16. The judges called for two “one more times,” or re-dos of their runs. Aasbo ended up getting the win in his Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC, which also runs a custom ACT multidisc clutch kit.
Other ACT-sponsored drivers that competed throughout the weekend include: Ryan Tuerck, Ryan Kado, Matt Powers, Matt Field, Joon Maeng, Tyler McQuarrie, Carl Rydquist, Alex Lee and Carlos Cano Estrella.
#GoACT to get the performance, quality and proven technology made for enthusiasts and professionals.
Advanced Clutch Technologyis pleased to announce our newest clutch line using patented Shuriken technology – the Ninja DriveStar™ 4-pad, spring-centered clutch disc. This new disc offers quicker shifting, maximum holding and sharper engagement.
Premium Cerametallic materials featured on the DriveStar™ provide a high level of stealth and low wear rates. The drive plates consist of high-carbon spring steel that is heat-treated and black zinc-plated to resist bending when thrown into gear. ACT’s Research and Development team has modified the pads, or pucks, to allow for extra surface area and edgier heat dissipation, while offering the quickness of a 4-pad clutch disc. And they look pretty cool, too.
The Ninja DriveStar™ disc will hold up to 1,200 ft.-lbs. of torque at the crank and can be custom ordered to fit several applications.
To view full product details and pricing, please click here.
LANCASTER, CALIF. — Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) is pleased to introduce its new twin-disc clutch kits for several classic GM vehicles with a 26-spline transmission.
ACT twin-disc clutch kits offer a wide range of street-friendly to race-ready kits with torque capacities ranging from 875-1470 ft.-lbs. of torque. These kits offer two discs, which results in nearly twice the disc surface area compared to a conventional clutch design, and that means better wear characteristics, a higher heat capacity and longer life. The twin-disc kits include ACT’s Proprietary Positive Lift Floater system, which offers the ability to adjust for compensation of disc wear.
Each kit offers a choice of three different clamp load designs to give unparalleled performance and moderate pedal effort. Drivers also have the option of choosing disc combinations that feature high torque capacities along with smooth consistent engagement.
The twin-disc kits include a dynamically balanced XACT Streetlite flywheel to ensure smooth, trouble-free installation and operation.
To view full press release and spec sheet, please click here.
LANCASTER, CALIF. — Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) is pleased tointroduce its new twin-disc clutch kits for several classic GM vehicles with a 10-spline transmission.
ACT twin-disc clutch kits offer a wide range of race-ready kits with torque capacities ranging from 875-1470 ft.-lbs. of torque. These kits offer two discs, which results in nearly twice the disc surface area compared to a conventional clutch design, and that means better wear characteristics, a higher heat capacity and longer life. These twin-disc kits include ACT’s Proprietary Positive Lift Floater system, which offers the ability to adjust for compensation of disc wear.
Each kit offers a choice of three different clamp load designs to give unparalleled performance and moderate pedal effort. Drivers also have the option of choosing disc combinations that feature high torque capacities along with smooth consistent engagement.
The twin-disc kits include a dynamically balanced XACT Streetlite flywheel to ensure smooth, trouble-free installation and operation.
To view the full press release and spec sheet, please click here.
Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) is pleased to introduce its new race twin-disc clutch kit for the 1989-1998 Nissan 240SX 2.4L I-4 engine application. This twin-disc clutch kit is certified as meeting SFI Spec. 1.2.
The ACT 7.25” race twin-disc clutch kit for the Nissan 240SX 2.4L I-4 engine offers Nissan enthusiasts a race-ready, direct bolt-in kit that requires no modifications. This clutch kit features a pressure plate, two sintered iron discs, a XACT Prolite flywheel, release bearing, pilot bearing and alignment tool.
With ACT’s ability to design and manufacture diaphragm springs, the ACT Research & Development team was able to keep the pedal load at a 13 percent increase over stock, while increasing the clamp load by 90 percent. The sintered iron discs allow for quick shifting and provide extra surface area for high-heat capacity and long life. This kit can support up to 770 ft.-lbs. of torque.
The XACT Prolite flywheels are a one-piece Chromoly construction with machined slots to provide the lowest inertia and best throttle response. In addition, ACT’s XACT flywheels can be cost-effectively resurfaced.
All ACT race twin-disc kits are dynamically balanced as an assembly for trouble-free use. Each kit has an overall weight of 16 pounds, which is a 53 percent decrease in weight compared to the 34-pound stock kit.
To view the full press release and spec sheet, click here.
LANCASTER, CALIF. — Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) is pleased to introduce its new race twin-disc clutch kit for the 1989-1998 Nissan Silvia 2.0L I-4 Turbo SR20DET engine applications. This race twin-disc clutch kit is certified as meeting SFI Spec. 1.2.
The ACT 7.25” race twin-disc clutch kit for the Nissan Silvia 2.0L I-4 Turbo SR20DET engines offers Nissan enthusiasts a race-ready, direct bolt-in kit that requires no modifications. This twin-disc clutch kit features a pressure plate, two sintered iron discs, a XACT Prolite flywheel, release bearing, pilot bearing and alignment tool.
With ACT’s ability to design and manufacture diaphragm springs, the ACT Research & Development team was able to keep the pedal load at a 20 percent increase over stock, while increasing the clamp load by 52 percent. The sintered iron discs allow for quick shifting and provide extra surface area for high-heat capacity and long life. This kit can support up to 770 ft.-lbs. of torque.
The XACT Prolite flywheels are a one-piece Chromoly construction with machined slots to provide the lowest inertia and best throttle response. In addition, ACT’s XACT flywheels can be cost-effectively resurfaced.
All ACT race twin-disc kits are dynamically balanced as an assembly for trouble-free use. Each kit has an overall weight of 16 pounds, which is a 53 percent decrease in weight compared to the 34-pound stock kit.
To view the full press release and spec sheet, please click here.
Matt Carter, Team Falken UK professional drift driver, 2011 British Drift Champion and ACT customer, suited up to teach Discovery UK’s Fifth Gear show host, Jonny Smith, how to drift. In the first segment of the episode, Carter took Smith for a run in his 1993 Nissan 200SX, 500 hp drift car that runs a ACT TS2-XTG6 clutch. Then, they switched rolls for Smith’s wicked hands-on lesson. Check out the video, click here.
