ACT 2003 Dodge Neon HD/Perf Street Sprung Clutch Kit

ACT DN3-HDSS is the replacement street clutch for a 2003, 2004 or 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 that already runs an ACT flywheel. It pairs ACT's Heavy Duty pressure plate with a full-face organic sprung disc, so the car keeps a normal daily-driver takeoff while holding the extra torque from a tune, a bigger turbo or a boost increase. Owners usually land here for one of two reasons: the first ACT disc has finally worn out, or the factory clutch is slipping in the upper gears and they are buying the flywheel and clutch as two separate parts.

What DN3-HDSS does in a Neon SRT-4

Chrysler shipped the SRT-4 with a modular clutch, meaning the flywheel, disc and cover were built as one unit. ACT's fix is a conversion to separate parts, and DN3-HDSS is the version of that conversion without a flywheel in the box. ACT's own note on the kit reads: conversion kit, replaces modular clutch, must use ACT flywheel, flywheel not included. The flywheel ACT pairs with it is the 600340 XACT Streetlite.

The kit contains the D017 Heavy Duty pressure plate, the 3001102 Performance Street sprung disc, the RBDN1 release bearing, the ATCP2 alignment tool and M8-1.25 x 16 mm pressure plate bolts. ACT rates it at 465 ft-lb at the crank, 47 percent more than the original clutch, on a 240 mm (9.4 in) disc with a 0.9375 in input spline. The organic lining carries high copper content to move heat away from the friction face, and the steel backing gives it burst strength. ACT lists the feel as light to moderate pedal effort with smooth, positive engagement, and OE to mild gear rattle. Shipping weight is listed at 15.5 lb, roughly ten pounds lighter than the kit that includes the flywheel.

Symptoms that call for this clutch

• Tach climbing ahead of road speed at full boost, most noticeable in third and fourth
• Slip that began right after a tune or turbo upgrade on a car with no other drivability problem
• Engagement point that has crept to the top of the pedal travel
• Shudder pulling away from a stop on a glazed disc
• Chirp or growl when the pedal is pushed in, pointing to a tired release bearing
• Burning smell after a few hard pulls on a hot day

How to confirm the clutch is the problem

Start with the hydraulic side. Check the fluid level and color in the reservoir, look for a wet slave cylinder, and make sure the pedal comes all the way back up; a clutch that never fully engages will slip no matter how strong the plate is. Look at the bellhousing seam for engine oil, since a leaking rear main or input seal will soak a new organic disc. Then make a steady wide-open pull in fourth from low rpm and compare tach and speedometer. Our slipping diagnosis guide covers that road test step by step, and shift flare vs. slip explains how to separate true slip from a flare between gears.

Fitment

Our listing is titled for the 2003 Neon. ACT's application for DN3-HDSS covers the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 with the 2.4L DOHC turbo four (2429 cc). It does not fit the non-turbo Neon. The deciding question is the flywheel: if the car still has the factory modular clutch, DN3-HDSS alone will not bolt in, and you need either the 600340 flywheel added to the order or the DN4-HDSS, which uses the same plate and disc and includes the flywheel. If a previous owner installed a different aftermarket flywheel, send us your year, VIN and the flywheel brand so we can confirm it before you order. More clutch parts are in our rebuild kits section.

Install notes

• Inspect the existing ACT flywheel. A Streetlite with heat checks or blue spots should be resurfaced so the new organic disc seats evenly.
• Clean both friction faces with brake cleaner and keep grease off the disc.
• Center the 3001102 disc on the ATCP2 tool and draw the D017 cover down a few turns at a time in a star pattern with the supplied M8 bolts.
• Install the new RBDN1 bearing, and check the fork and pivot for wear while the transaxle is out.
• Refill and bleed the clutch hydraulics with the fluid listed on the reservoir cap.
• Expect a firmer pedal. ACT says Heavy Duty plates typically add 15 to 40 percent pedal effort depending on the car.
• Break the disc in with 300 to 500 miles of mild, stop-and-go driving before any launches, and do not overheat it during that period.

If you track the car more than you commute in it, the DN3-HDG6 keeps the same plate but swaps to a six-pad ceramic disc rated higher. The D017 pressure plate is also sold on its own.

Does DN3-HDSS come with a flywheel?

No. ACT lists it as a conversion kit that replaces the SRT-4 modular clutch and must be used with an ACT flywheel, which is not included. The matching flywheel is the 600340 XACT Streetlite.

What is the difference between DN3-HDSS and DN4-HDSS?

Both use the D017 Heavy Duty plate and the 3001102 organic street disc and carry the same 465 ft-lb rating. DN4-HDSS adds the 600340 flywheel in the box; DN3-HDSS is for cars that already have it.

Will DN3-HDSS fit a regular Neon?

No. ACT applies it only to the 2003-2005 Neon SRT-4 with the 2.4L DOHC turbo engine.

Is this a good daily driver clutch?

Yes. ACT describes light to moderate pedal effort and smooth, positive engagement from the organic disc, and recommends it for street and race use. The pedal will be somewhat firmer than stock.

What else should I replace with it?

The kit already includes the release bearing and alignment tool. Plan to resurface the ACT flywheel if it shows hot spots, and fix any rear main or input seal leak before the new disc goes in.

How do I break it in?

ACT recommends 300 to 500 miles of mild engagement, such as city driving, before racing or spirited driving, and warns that overheating during break-in can glaze the surfaces.

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