When your high-performance vehicle demands more than a stock clutch can deliver, the right upgrade becomes critical. ACT (Advanced Clutch Technology) has built a formidable reputation for creating clutches that handle extreme power and aggressive driving without sacrificing daily drivability. Their Xtreme series is engineered for enthusiasts and competitors who push their machines to the limit, offering superior torque capacity and durability under punishing conditions.
Selecting the perfect ACT Xtreme clutch depends on your specific vehicle, power goals, and driving style. Whether you need a street-sprung disc for smooth daily operation or a race-ready 6-puck for lightning-fast shifts, there is a model designed for your application. This roundup breaks down ten of the best ACT Xtreme clutch kits and components to help you make an informed decision for your high-performance build.
Our Top ACT Xtreme Clutch Picks
- ACT Clutch Kit For Subaru WRX STI 2015-2020 XT-M/Perf Street
- ACT Clutch Kit With Xtreme Pressure Plate For Select Acura And Honda
- ACT H024X ACT Xtreme Pressure Plate
- HC12-HDG6 – ACT Heavy Duty Race Sprung 6 Pad Clutch Kit
- ACT 6240508 6-Pad Sprung Race Clutch Disc
- ACT 3000604 Performance Street Sprung Clutch Disc
- ACT 17-19 Honda Civic Si HD/Perf Street Sprung Clutch Kit
- ACT SB10-HDSS Clutch Kit
- ACT Clutch Kit For Subaru WRX STI HD-M/Race Sprung 6 Pad
- ACT Xtreme Street Organic 6-Puck Clutch Kit
ACT Clutch Kit For Subaru WRX STI 2015-2020 XT-M/Perf Street
This performance street clutch kit is engineered specifically for the 2015-2020 Subaru WRX STI, offering a significant upgrade over the factory unit. It features a ceramic disc material known for its high heat tolerance and durability, making it an excellent choice for drivers who frequently push their vehicle. The XT-M/Perf Street Sprung design provides a robust clamp force while maintaining a manageable pedal feel for daily driving.
The kit is designed to handle increased torque from engine modifications, ensuring reliable power transfer under demanding conditions. With part number SB10-XTSS, this is a direct-fit solution that simplifies the installation process. It represents a solid middle ground for enthusiasts who need more performance without the aggressive engagement of a full race clutch.
ACT Clutch Kit With Xtreme Pressure Plate For Select Acura And Honda
This kit is a popular choice for Honda and Acura enthusiasts seeking a reliable performance upgrade. It combines an Xtreme pressure plate with a performance street disc, engineered to provide a moderate to stiff pedal feel that communicates a direct connection to the drivetrain. The design prioritizes smooth engagement and manages gear rattle effectively, making it suitable for both street and track use.
A key benefit is the extended clutch life, achieved through ACT’s exclusive diaphragm spring design. The premium organic friction materials offer excellent heat tolerance and recover quickly from overheating, which helps prevent warping of the flywheel and pressure plate surfaces. This makes it a durable option for high-performance driving where thermal management is crucial.
ACT H024X ACT Xtreme Pressure Plate
The ACT H024X Xtreme Pressure Plate is a core component for builders assembling a custom clutch solution. This standalone pressure plate is designed to provide the high clamp force needed to handle substantial power increases. It is an ideal choice for those who need to match a pressure plate to a specific aftermarket disc or for a custom racing application.
Built to ACT’s high standards, this pressure plate ensures that the full torque of your engine is effectively transferred to the transmission. Its robust construction can withstand the repeated stress of aggressive launches and high-RPM shifts. For those building a high-horsepower engine, this component provides the foundational holding power required for a successful setup.
HC12-HDG6 – ACT Heavy Duty Race Sprung 6 Pad Clutch Kit
This kit is a versatile performer, engineered to be equally at home on the street and the racetrack. Its heavy-duty design can quietly handle up to 412 ft-lb of torque, making it a strong candidate for modified daily drivers. The sprung 6-puck hub design helps dampen drivetrain noise and shock, improving overall driveability compared to a rigid race disc.
Despite its street manners, this is a kit built for racing. It is designed to withstand the extreme demands of drag, road, or rally competition. The combination of a heavy-duty pressure plate and a Cerametallic Xtreme Race Disc provides aggressive grip and exceptional durability, ensuring consistent performance during competitive events.
ACT 6240508 6-Pad Sprung Race Clutch Disc
For drivers who need lightning-fast shift action and aggressive engagement, this 6-pad sprung race disc is an excellent choice. The premium ceramic friction material offers a low wear rate and exceptional tolerance for high temperatures, which is vital for preventing fade during extended track sessions or repeated hard launches.
The spring-centered construction is a critical feature, as it helps minimize gear rattle while still providing the immediate engagement characteristic of a race clutch. The disc is built with durability in mind, utilizing wraparound spring windows and thicker retainer stampings to reduce stress concentrations and increase overall strength under extreme loads.
ACT 3000604 Performance Street Sprung Clutch Disc
This performance street disc is designed for drivers who want an upgrade in holding power without compromising on smoothness and daily comfort. It provides smooth engagement with reduced marcel, which contributes to faster shift action and helps keep gear rattle to a minimum. It is an ideal replacement for a worn OEM disc or a mild upgrade for a tuned vehicle.
The use of premium organic friction materials ensures good heat tolerance and allows for faster recovery from any overheating events. This characteristic also helps prevent warping on mating surfaces like the flywheel. The design incorporates heat-treated wraparound spring windows that provide superior support, addressing common points of failure in lesser discs.
ACT 17-19 Honda Civic Si HD/Perf Street Sprung Clutch Kit
Tailored for the 2017-2019 Honda Civic Si, this clutch kit addresses the specific needs of this popular platform. It is designed as a heavy-duty performance street solution, providing the extra clamping force needed for vehicles with turbo tuning and other power-adding modifications. The sprung hub ensures that daily driving remains civil and manageable.
This kit is backed by ACT’s one-year warranty, which is a testament to its build quality and reliability. It is a complete solution that includes everything needed for a successful installation, giving Civic Si owners confidence that their upgraded clutch can handle increased power levels while maintaining street-friendly characteristics.
ACT SB10-HDSS Clutch Kit
The SB10-HDSS is a heavy-duty clutch kit built for demanding applications, particularly for Subaru models. It is engineered to offer a significant increase in torque capacity over stock units, making it a reliable choice for modified engines. The “HDSS” designation indicates a Heavy Duty Street Sprung configuration, balancing performance with driveability.
Like other ACT kits, it comes with the assurance of their one-year warranty and a reputation for “Excellence in Performance.” This complete kit ensures that all components are matched for optimal function and longevity. It is a proven solution for enthusiasts who require dependable performance from their upgraded drivetrain.
ACT Clutch Kit For Subaru WRX STI HD-M/Race Sprung 6 Pad
This is a serious clutch for serious performance, designed for the 2015-2020 Subaru WRX STI. The HD-M/Race Sprung 6 Pad kit uses a ceramic disc material to provide extremely aggressive bite and high torque capacity. It is intended for vehicles with significant power upgrades or those used in competitive racing environments.
The sprung 6-puck design offers a compromise between the brutal engagement of a solid hub race disc and the need for some damping in the drivetrain. This makes it suitable for a dedicated track car or a very powerful street car where the driver prioritizes maximum grip and shift speed over smoothness at low speeds.
ACT Xtreme Street Organic 6-Puck Clutch Kit
This clutch kit represents a hybrid approach, combining an organic 6-puck disc with a street-friendly sprung hub. The organic material can offer a more progressive engagement compared to a ceramic or cerametallic puck, while the 6-puck design still provides a substantial increase in grip and heat capacity over a full-face disc.
It is an excellent solution for drivers who want the fast shift action and high torque capacity of a puck-style clutch but prefer a less aggressive, more manageable engagement for street driving. This type of kit effectively bridges the gap between a full race setup and a performance street kit, offering the best of both worlds for a spirited daily driver that sees occasional track use.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right ACT Xtreme Clutch
So, you’re thinking about an ACT Xtreme clutch. I get it; you’re building something serious, and the stock clutch just isn’t going to cut it anymore. I’ve been there, staring at a pile of parts and trying to figure out which combination will hold the power without making daily driving a chore. Choosing the right one isn’t just about picking the one with the highest torque rating; it’s about matching the clutch’s personality to your car’s purpose.
First, you need to be brutally honest about how you use your car. Is this a dedicated track monster that sees a trailer more often than the street? Or is it your weekend warrior that also needs to handle stop-and-go traffic on the way to the meet? The ACT Xtreme line is fantastic, but its higher clamp force can lead to a heavier pedal. For a pure race car, that’s a non-issue. For a street car, your left leg will thank you for considering the pedal effort. I learned this the hard way with a six-puck in a car I drove every day; it was a workout.
Next, let’s talk about the disc material. This is a huge factor in how the clutch engages. The organic full-face disc is the most street-friendly. It has a smooth, progressive engagement, just like a stock clutch, but it’s built with much better materials. It’s my go-to recommendation for a high-performance street car making up to around 450-500 lb-ft of torque. Then you have the sprung hub six-puck. This one bites hard and fast. It’s excellent for quick shifts at high RPMs and handles a lot more abuse and torque. The springs help dampen some of the harshness, but it’s still very aggressive. For all-out drag or track use, it’s a top performer.
Finally, don’t just look at the clutch disc and pressure plate in isolation. Your flywheel matters. ACT offers lightweight options that help the engine rev faster, which is great for responsiveness and acceleration. But a lighter flywheel can make it trickier to launch from a stop and might cause more driveline chatter. A stock-weight flywheel is often the better choice for a car that sees a lot of street time. Also, make sure you’re getting a complete kit. A proper 10 Best ACT Xtreme Clutch Review for High-Performance Use will always mention the importance of a new release bearing, alignment tool, and often a pilot bearing. Skipping these small parts is a great way to ruin your new, expensive clutch in the first hundred miles. Do the job once, and do it right with all the necessary components.
FAQ
How much horsepower can an ACT Xtreme clutch handle?
This is the first question everyone asks, and the answer is, “it depends on the specific model.” The ACT Xtreme line isn’t a single product; it’s a series of clutches with different torque capacities. Generally, these clutches are designed for serious power. The organic street disc versions often handle between 450 to 550 lb-ft of torque, while the more aggressive six-puck versions can support well over 600-700 lb-ft. You absolutely must check the specific torque rating for the model designed for your vehicle on ACT’s website or with your retailer. Don’t just guess; matching the torque capacity to your engine’s actual output is the most critical step.
Is the pedal effort significantly heavier than stock?
Yes, expect a noticeably heavier pedal. The whole point of a performance clutch is to hold more power, and that requires a pressure plate with significantly higher clamp load. This increased spring pressure is what makes the pedal stiffer. It’s not usually “unbearable,” but you will feel the difference, especially in traffic. Some people get used to it quickly, while others find it annoying for a daily driver. If pedal effort is a major concern, you might want to look at ACT’s Street series, which offers a better balance between performance and drivability for moderately tuned cars.
What’s the difference between a full-face and a puck-style disc?
The difference is in the engagement characteristics and durability. A full-face disc has a large, continuous friction surface, much like your stock clutch. This provides a smooth, gradual engagement that is ideal for street driving. A puck-style disc, like a 6-puck, has smaller, individual pads of friction material. This design allows it to handle extreme heat and torque much better, but engagement is very abrupt and “on/off.” It’s like switching from a dimmer switch to a light switch. For a street car, I almost always recommend a sprung hub full-face disc for its civility.
Do I need to resurface or replace my flywheel?
You should always resurface or replace your flywheel when installing a new clutch. It’s not an area to cut corners. A used flywheel will have hot spots, micro-cracks, and an uneven surface that will prevent your new clutch from mating properly. This leads to premature wear, chatter, and slipping. A properly resurfaced flywheel (or a new, lightweight one) ensures a perfectly flat and clean surface for the clutch disc to engage with. This is a mandatory step for a successful installation and long clutch life.
Can I install an ACT Xtreme clutch myself?
If you have advanced mechanical skills, a lift or jack stands, a transmission jack, and the right tools, it is possible. However, I consider a clutch job to be one of the more demanding DIY projects. It involves safely supporting the vehicle, disconnecting numerous components, and wrestling the transmission out and back in. It’s heavy, awkward, and getting the alignment perfect on reinstallation is tricky. For most people, paying a professional mechanic is the smarter, safer choice and can save you from a costly mistake or injury.