ACT 2001 Lexus IS300 HD/Race Rigid 6 Pad Clutch Kit

The ACT TS5-HDR6 is the race clutch in ACT's IS300 lineup. It is built for the manual 2002-2005 Lexus IS300 that now makes far more torque than stock, usually a turbocharged 2JZ-GE or a car that sees drag strip or track time, where an organic street disc glazes or slips after a few hard runs. If your IS300 is a daily driver with bolt-ons, read the fitment and feel notes below first, because this kit drives very differently from a street clutch.

What this clutch kit does in an IS300

The kit pairs ACT's Heavy Duty T021 pressure plate with a 6-pad rigid ceramic race disc. The Heavy Duty diaphragm raises clamp load over the factory cover, and the six ceramic pads tolerate far more heat than organic facing. The hub is solid chrome-moly with no damper springs, which keeps the disc light and lets the gearbox shift quickly, but passes more driveline shock and gear noise into the car. ACT's published numbers:

• Torque capacity: 365 ft-lb at the crank, 69 percent over the OE clutch
• Disc: 236 mm (9.3 in) rigid 6-pad ceramic, 1.125 in input shaft
• Kit weight: about 16.1 lb
• Feel: light to moderate pedal effort, aggressive engagement, increased gear rattle; ACT recommends it for race use only

In the box: T021 pressure plate, 6236007 rigid race disc, RB443 release bearing, PB1004 pilot bearing and AT11 alignment tool.

Symptoms that mean you have outgrown the clutch

• RPM climbs without the car pulling harder once boost comes in, typically in third and fourth
• A street disc that slips after repeated launches or back-to-back track laps
• Burnt friction smell and a pedal engagement point that keeps creeping higher
• Chatter on takeoff after the original disc has been overheated
• Grinding into first or reverse, which can be poor release rather than a worn disc

How to confirm before you buy

Make sure the problem is the friction surfaces and not the hydraulics. Bleed the clutch, check the master and slave for leaks, then run a full-throttle pull in fourth from low rpm and watch whether engine speed rises faster than road speed. Our transmission slipping diagnosis guide explains how to read that test, and shift flare vs. slip helps separate real slip from other driveline noise.

Fitment

Our title says 2001, but ACT's application chart for TS5-HDR6 lists the 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Lexus IS300 with the 2997 cc inline-six and the manual gearbox. ACT notes this kit must be used with the OE dual-mass flywheel, which is not included, so check the condition of yours before ordering. If your car runs an R154 swap, an engine swap, or an aftermarket single-mass flywheel, compare the old disc diameter and spline or send us the year and VIN first. For a smoother street option see the ACT TS5-HDSS, and for a stock-style replacement the Exedy KTY17. More options are in our rebuild kits section.

Install notes

• Inspect the dual-mass flywheel for free play, heat cracks and scoring; a worn one will cause chatter no matter how good the clutch is.
• Pull the old pilot bearing with a pilot bearing puller and press in the new PB1004.
• Apply a thin film of grease to the input splines, slide the disc on and off once, and wipe off the excess so it cannot fling onto the pads.
• Center the disc with the AT11 tool and draw the pressure plate down evenly in a star pattern.
• Bleed the hydraulics with fresh fluid of the grade on the reservoir cap. ACT race discs need only a few controlled slips to bed in, but avoid overheating them in the first sessions.
• Expect faster spline wear with a rigid hub; check the input shaft and disc splines at every service.

Do I need a new flywheel for the TS5-HDR6?

ACT states this kit is used with the OE dual-mass flywheel, which is not included. Inspect yours for free play and heat damage and replace it if it is out of spec.

Is this clutch OK for daily driving?

ACT recommends it for race use only. Engagement is aggressive and gear rattle increases, so most street cars are better served by the sprung TS5-HDSS or TS5-XTSS.

How much torque does it hold?

ACT rates the TS5-HDR6 at 365 ft-lb at the crank, 69 percent over the factory clutch.

Does it fit a 2001 IS300?

ACT's chart lists the 2002-2005 IS300 with the manual gearbox. If you have a 2001 or a swapped car, send us the year and VIN before ordering.

What comes in the kit?

T021 Heavy Duty pressure plate, 6236007 rigid 6-pad race disc, RB443 release bearing, PB1004 pilot bearing and AT11 alignment tool.

• How to Diagnose Transmission Slipping
• Shift Flare vs. Slip: How to Tell the Difference
• Automatic vs. Manual Transmission Repair Cost