ACT 2002 Subaru Impreza HD-M/Perf Street Sprung Clutch Kit
ACT SB9-HDSS is the mild-upgrade clutch for the 2002 to 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX with the EJ205 2.0L turbo and five-speed manual. If your bugeye or blobeye WRX has an intake, exhaust and a tune, and the original clutch now slips in the higher gears or is simply worn out, this kit restores grip with only a modest rise in pedal effort. It is also a sensible replacement on a stock car that will see years of daily driving.
This is a pull-type clutch: the release bearing pulls on the pressure plate fingers instead of pushing them. ACT's SB018 Heavy Duty pressure plate raises clamp load through a heat-treated diaphragm while resisting deflection, and the 3000502 Performance Street disc is a 228 mm (9 in) sprung organic disc on a 1 in input spline. The organic facings carry extra copper for heat transfer and are bonded to a steel backing for burst strength. ACT rates the kit at 434 ft-lb at the crank, 27 percent over stock, and describes the pedal as light to moderate with smooth engagement.
The pull-type release on this car is the weak spot the kit also addresses. ACT's Monoloc replaces the factory two-piece wedge collar and wire ring that holds the RB601 release bearing to the plate with a one-piece chromoly retainer, so the bearing stays seated and aligned. A bearing that pops off the collar leaves you with a pedal that drops to the floor and a car that will not shift.
Slip on a manual car does not set a trouble code, so prove it with a road test.
Check the clutch fluid level and look for a wet slave cylinder or a sticky pedal first, because a partly released clutch slips like a worn one. Then do a full-throttle pull in 4th from low rpm where it is safe; a tach that climbs faster than road speed confirms slip. Our guide to diagnosing slipping walks through the test, and flare vs. slip helps you separate a boost or tune problem from a worn disc.
Our listing is for the 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX. ACT lists SB9-HDSS for the 2002-2005 Impreza WRX 2.0L turbo five-speed (EJ205), 2004-2005 Forester XT and Baja Turbo (EJ255), 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero, 1991-1994 Legacy 2.2L turbo, 2007-2009 Legacy GT spec.B six-speed and JDM WRX versions 1 through 9. It is not for the 2.5L RS, the 2006 and later WRX or any STI. Swapped transmissions change the answer, so match your old pressure plate and release bearing, or send us year and VIN. See more Subaru clutch parts in the rebuild kits section.
HDSS is the lowest-effort of ACT's SB9 street kits and the right call for stock to lightly modified cars. The SB9-XTSS keeps the same disc but uses the Xtreme plate for more clamp and a heavier pedal, for bigger turbo builds. The SB9-HDG6 uses a ceramic 6-pad disc for track heat with harsh engagement.
| Brand | ACT |
| Part number | SB9-HDSS |
| Fits | ACT 2002 Subaru Impreza HD-M/Perf Street Sprung Clutch Kit |
| Vehicle fitment | Subaru Impreza Hd-M/Perf (2002) |
| Type | Clutch Kits - Single |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
ACT says its Heavy Duty pressure plates typically add 15 to 40 percent pedal effort, depending on the application, and describes this kit as light to moderate.
ACT rates the kit at 434 ft-lb at the crank, 27 percent over stock. That suits stock and bolt-on cars. For a larger turbo, the SB9-XTSS with the Xtreme plate is rated higher.
Yes. ACT includes the RB601 release bearing with Monoloc, plus the PB1004 pilot bearing and AT90 alignment tool. The flywheel is sold separately.
ACT lists SB9-HDSS for the 2004-2005 Forester XT and Baja Turbo. Send us year and VIN to confirm before ordering.
No. The 2006 and later WRX and every STI use different clutches. SB9 kits cover the 2002-2005 WRX 2.0L five-speed and the other applications ACT lists.
