ACT 2003 Nissan 350Z HD/Race Sprung 6 Pad Clutch Kit
The ACT NZ1-HDG6 is a Heavy Duty race clutch for the first-generation Nissan 350Z and its Infiniti G35 cousin with the VQ35DE V6 and six-speed manual. Our listing is titled for the 2003 350Z. Buyers usually land here after a supercharger, turbo kit or nitrous setup has overpowered the factory clutch, or after track days have glazed the original disc until it slips in the upper gears and smells hot after every session.
ACT rates the NZ1-HDG6 at 580 ft-lb at the crank, 59 percent above the stock clutch. That is enough margin for a boosted VQ35DE that would quickly slip a factory or organic street disc. The N021 Heavy Duty pressure plate supplies the clamp load with what ACT calls light to moderate pedal effort, while the 6250306 disc does the heavy lifting: six ceramic pads on a 250 mm (9.8 in) hub that is spring-centered to damp driveline vibration, with a 1 in input spline.
Because the pads are ceramic and the contact area is smaller than a full-face disc, this kit tolerates repeated launches and long road-course sessions far better than organic friction. The cost is drivability: ACT lists aggressive engagement and OE to mild gear rattle, so the car will feel more like a race car pulling away from a light.
ACT also notes that its discs will not work with the factory pressure plate. Buy the complete kit; do not try to mix an ACT disc with a stock cover.
The engine computer does not watch clutch slip directly, so there is normally no trouble code; the road test tells the story.
Bleed the hydraulics and check the master and slave cylinders before condemning the clutch, since a soft or sinking pedal can keep the disc from clamping fully. Look for oil on the bellhousing that would point to a rear main seal leak. Then in a high gear from low rpm, go to full throttle: rising rpm without matching acceleration is slip. Our slipping diagnosis guide covers the test step by step, and our repair cost guide helps you budget the job.
ACT lists the NZ1-HDG6 for the 2003 through August 2006 Nissan 350Z with the VQ35DE, in base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, Grand Touring, Track and 35th Anniversary trims, and for the 2003 to 2006 Infiniti G35 manual cars. Late-2006 and later 350Z models with the VQ35HR engine take ACT's NZ2 kits instead. Check your build date on the door jamb, and if the car is near the changeover or has had an engine swap, send us the year and VIN. Browse more clutch parts in our rebuild kits category.
For a street car that sees the odd track day, the organic NZ1-HDSS Heavy Duty street kit is easier to live with.
| Brand | ACT |
| Part number | NZ1-HDG6 |
| Fits | ACT 2003 Nissan 350Z HD/Race Sprung 6 Pad Clutch Kit |
| Vehicle fitment | Nissan 350Z Hd/Race Sprung 6 (2003) |
| Type | Clutch Kits - Single |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
No. ACT lists NZ1 kits for 350Z models built through August 2006 with the VQ35DE. Later cars with the VQ35HR engine use ACT's NZ2 kits.
Both use a sprung 6-pad ceramic disc. The HDG6 uses ACT's Heavy Duty pressure plate for a lighter pedal; the XTG6 uses the Xtreme plate for more clamp load and a heavier pedal. Choose the HDG6 unless your power level needs the extra margin.
No. ACT states its discs will not work with the factory pressure plate. Install the complete kit.
Per ACT: N021 Heavy Duty pressure plate, 6250306 6-pad sprung disc, RB130 release bearing, PB1012 pilot bushing and AT01 alignment tool. The flywheel is sold separately.
ACT says its Heavy Duty pressure plates typically increase pedal effort 15 to 40 percent depending on the car, and rates this kit at light to moderate effort.
