ACT 2003 Nissan 350Z HD/Perf Street Sprung Clutch Kit
The ACT NZ1-HDSS is the daily-driver upgrade clutch for the early VQ35DE Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G35 with the six-speed manual. It suits a car with intake, exhaust and a tune, or a stock car whose original clutch has started to slip in third and fourth gear, chatter when pulling away from a stop, or engage near the top of the pedal. Our listing is titled for the 2003 350Z, and ACT's application chart covers the wider early-chassis range explained below.
A clutch kit renews every wearing part between the flywheel and the gearbox in one job. In the NZ1-HDSS that means ACT's Heavy Duty pressure plate (N021), a Performance Street sprung organic disc (3000409), the RB130 release bearing, a PB1012 pilot bushing and an AT01 alignment tool. ACT rates the kit at 455 ft-lb at the crank, 24 percent over the factory clutch, on a 250 mm (9.8 in) disc with a 1 in input spline. The extra holding power comes mostly from the diaphragm design of the Heavy Duty plate rather than an aggressive friction, so the car still drives like a street car: ACT describes the feel as light to moderate pedal effort with smooth engagement and stock to mild gear rattle. The sprung hub soaks up driveline shock, which keeps it civil in traffic. ACT also notes that its discs will not work with the factory pressure plate, so this kit is meant to go in as a complete set.
Put the car in fourth around 2,500 RPM and go to full throttle. If the tach jumps ahead of road speed, the disc is slipping. Before you blame the clutch for drag or grinding, bleed the hydraulics, since a tired slave cylinder or air in the line causes the same complaints. Look for oil at the bellhousing seam as well; a weeping rear main seal will soak a new disc. Our transmission slipping diagnosis guide walks through separating slip from other faults, and the flare vs. slip guide explains what the tach is telling you.
ACT lists the NZ1-HDSS for the 2003 to 08/2006 Nissan 350Z and the 2003-2006 Infiniti G35 coupe and sedan with the 3.5L VQ35DE. Nissan changed the clutch hardware on the later 350Z, which is why ACT ends the range at the August 2006 build date; check the production month on the driver door jamb sticker of any 2006 car. ACT's vehicle list shows the G35 by its base trim, so if you have a G35 confirm the gearbox is the six-speed manual. Match the disc spline and release hardware to your car, or send us your year and VIN and we will confirm before it ships. More options for these cars are in the rebuild kits category.
If you plan to add boost later, the NZ1-HDG6 6-pad kit uses the same pressure plate with a ceramic race disc for more holding power.
| Brand | ACT |
| Part number | NZ1-HDSS |
| Fits | ACT 2003 Nissan 350Z HD/Perf Street Sprung Clutch Kit |
| Vehicle fitment | Nissan 350Z Hd/Perf (2003) |
| Type | Clutch Kits - Single |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Not the later cars. ACT lists this kit for 350Z built through August 2006 and 2003-2006 G35 with the VQ35DE. Check the build month on the door jamb sticker, or send us your VIN to confirm.
ACT lists the N021 Heavy Duty pressure plate, 3000409 Performance Street sprung disc, RB130 release bearing, PB1012 pilot bushing and AT01 alignment tool. The flywheel is sold separately.
ACT rates it at 455 ft-lb at the crank, 24 percent over stock. Expect roughly 15-40 percent more pedal effort than stock, which ACT quotes for its Heavy Duty plates, with smooth street engagement.
No. ACT states its discs will not work with the factory pressure plate, so install the kit as a complete set.
The flywheel must at least be resurfaced so the new disc beds evenly. If you want a lighter single-mass part, ACT lists its 600215 Streetlite flywheel for these cars.
Yes. ACT recommends 300-500 miles of mild, stop-and-go driving on its organic street discs before hard launches or track days.
