Competition Clutch VQ35DE Stage 1 - Gravity Clutch Kit

The Competition Clutch 6072-2400 is the Stage 1 Gravity kit for the VQ35DE six-speed cars: the 2003 to 2006 Nissan 350Z and the 2003 to 2007 Infiniti G35. It is the kit for the owner whose factory clutch has started to slip in third and fourth, who has added an intake, exhaust or tune, and who still drives the car every day and wants the pedal to feel the way Nissan built it. If you are searching because the tach jumps on a hard pull or the car shudders leaving a light, this is the mild, street-first answer rather than a race clutch.

What the Stage 1 kit does in a VQ35DE car

The VQ35DE makes its torque low and keeps pulling, which is hard on a worn stock disc. Competition Clutch builds the Stage 1 around a performance pressure plate and a 6-pad ceramic performance disc where the application uses one, and rates the kit at roughly 40 to 50 percent more torque capacity than stock while keeping a stock-like pedal. The kit also includes the throwout bearing and pilot bearing or bushing where applicable, plus an alignment tool. Competition Clutch designs Stage 1 for naturally aspirated cars and does not recommend it for turbo, supercharger or nitrous builds; a boosted 350Z should look at the 6072-2600 Stage 3 kit instead.

Symptoms this kit is meant to fix

• Rpm flaring without road speed in third, fourth or fifth under full throttle
• A clutch that only grabs near the very top of the pedal
• Shudder or chatter pulling away, especially on a hill
• Squeal or chirp when the pedal is pressed, pointing to a dry throwout bearing
• Grinding into gears even after the hydraulics have been bled

How to confirm the clutch is the problem

Do a slip check first: in fourth gear at about 2,500 rpm, go to full throttle and watch whether rpm rises faster than speed. Our slipping diagnosis guide covers the road test, and the chatter on takeoff guide separates a glazed disc from worn mounts. Shifting problems with a firm pedal often trace to the hydraulics or pedal height, so check fluid and adjustment before you pull the gearbox. Competition Clutch publishes a G35/350Z clutch adjustment spec sheet for this part number.

Fitment

Competition Clutch lists the 6072-2400 for the 2003 to 2007 Infiniti G35 and the 2003 to 2006 Nissan 350Z with the 3.5L VQ35DE and manual gearbox. The 2007 G35 sedan and the 2007 350Z moved to the VQ35HR and take the separate 6073-2400 Stage 1 kit. If the engine code on your car is not clear, send us the year and VIN before ordering. More parts for these cars are in the rebuild kits collection.

Install notes

• No flywheel is included. Resurface the stock flywheel or fit a new one; the Competition Clutch 18.65 lb steel flywheel is a one-piece forged steel part Competition Clutch recommends for Gravity and Stage 1 to 2 kits on naturally aspirated VQ35DE cars.
• Pull the old pilot bearing with a puller such as the OEMTOOLS 25089 and fit the new one from the kit.
• Use only a thin film of grease on the input splines; Competition Clutch warns that too much grease can contaminate the disc and void the warranty.
• Center the disc with the supplied tool and tighten the pressure plate bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern to the service manual value.
• Bleed the clutch hydraulics, then break the clutch in by shifting as often as possible over the first 500 miles before launches or track use.

This kit is new, in stock, ships the same business day from the USA and is backed by a 1-year warranty.

Will the 6072-2400 fit my 2007 350Z?

No. The 2007 350Z and 2007 G35 sedan use the VQ35HR, which takes the 6073-2400 kit. The 6072-2400 is for 2003-2006 350Z and 2003-2007 G35 cars with the VQ35DE.

Is this kit OK for a turbo or supercharged 350Z?

Competition Clutch says no. Stage 1 is designed for naturally aspirated cars and is not recommended with turbo, supercharger or nitrous. Look at their Stage 3 or Stage 4 kits for boost.

Does the kit include a flywheel?

No. It includes the pressure plate, disc, throwout bearing and pilot bearing where applicable, and an alignment tool. Resurface your flywheel or buy a new one.

Will the pedal be heavier than stock?

Competition Clutch rates the Stage 1 at about 40-50 percent more torque capacity while keeping a stock-like pedal feel, so it suits daily driving.

How do I break in the new clutch?

Shift as often as possible during the first 500 miles so the disc material beds into the pressure plate and flywheel. Avoid hard launches until then.

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