Act 2600 Vs. Cm 2500

Khadgar · 12-03-2003

Well I want to make the decision right NOW, but out of everyone I've asked its been almost a 50/50 division on ACT vs. CM.

So which do you think is better, and why?

Iceman · 12-03-2003

:brownnoser: Southbend :bowdown"

**1ViciousGSX** · 12-03-2003

This could be a long and heated debate, but I'll go first.

I have the ClutchMasters 2500 with the 4 puck spring hub disc and love it. I sat in an Eclipse with the ACT2600 and was amazed at how much more pedal pressure was required with the ACT2600, which is something to consider if you are concerned about crankwalk. Supposidly has to do with the fulcrum points CM uses which makes it easier on the pedal pressure, but still has 2500lbs of clamping force. I started out with the ACT2100, but as I started making some real power, it wouldn't hold. So I had a local tuner shop here order the CM 2500 with the segmented Kevlar disc. It worked fine until it got hot. If you slipped the clutch any off the line it would not hold the power (heat fade, who knew!?!?). CM swapped out the Kevlar disc for the ceramic puck disc for me at no charge. It will hold all the power I can throw at it (for now anyways).

You will get many opinions on this, so there's mine.

AJ · 12-03-2003

I am all for the 2600! I had one, loved it, and would buy again.

Khadgar · 12-03-2003

One post for each of the 3 brands I was lookin at, JEEZE THANKS GUYS

You make this soooo easy.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 12-03-2003

Anyone running the Southbend clutch? I saw they used Kevlar with theirs. Looked kinda like a Centerforce Dual Friction disc. Does Southbend's Kevlar actually hold power? As 1ViciousGSX said Kevlar clutchs on these car aren't known to be able to handle a lot of power or launches without starting to slip, even though the material lasts a very long time.

I had an old Stage 4 CM with a puck disc and it was my least favorite clutch. Lots of drivetrain noise, harsh engagement and the disc didn't last very long. It lasted the shortest of any of my clutches. I didn't really care that much about the noise or engagement, I was just disappointed in how short of a time it lasted.

The Centerforce Dual Friction would be my favorite if it could take a beating, but it can't handle a high HP AWD.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 12-03-2003

In my household I think we have gone through 2 stock clutches, 1 clutchmasters, 1 centerforce, 1 ACT 2100, and maybe 5 ACT 2600s. The 2600s on my 2G were always easy to push in, while the first 2600 on my gf's car was the hardest clutch I have ever driven on an import, but the second one seems easier to push in. I have a twin disc clutch waiting for my next motor.

Khadgar · 12-03-2003

I just want it to be able to handle launches every once in a while but be able to hold up so I won't have to replace it anytime soon. I doubt I'll be getting any HP figures above 300 with my big28

MustGoFaster · 12-03-2003

2600. I have driven a couple cars with them and plan to get one. For now I have an Exedy 1940# because I got it DIRT CHEAP! Cheaper than even an OEM.

Oh, and 1ViciousGSX, how does your puck clutch engage? I am just wondering, as I am willing to get something other than an ACT, it's just that I have already driven the 2600 an like it. Hooks when you want and you can slip it easily. From what I have hear ACT uses a really aggressive ceramic compared to others and it's not really street friendly, and that's the only pucked clutch I have dealt with so that’s why I ask.

Khadgar · 12-03-2003

The only issues I have with the 2600 right now is if infact it does promote crankwalk.

Khadgar · 12-03-2003

I'm Inching towards the 2500, just worried about longevity.

ACRucrazy · 12-03-2003

Is SPEC an option for you DSM folk? I loved mine!

Chris

A//// Guy · 12-03-2003

2600 for now... no problems so far except driving in traffic really sucks... havnt felt any other clutch except stock so I dont know how to compare it.

**JET** · 12-03-2003

Centerforce has great pedal feel, just over heats easily because of all the copper in it.

ACT 2100 is great for under 300hp.

ACT 2600 was a great clutch. Pretty firm, but it always hooked. Very easy to modulate too.

I have heard of an ACT 2300, you may want to check into that. It should handle 300hp easily and shouldn't be too firm.

I'll let you know how an ACT 2900 feels next year :P

Nash · 12-03-2003

The only thing I have used is a 2600, in 3 different 1G AWDs, and 2G FWD. The one in my 2G went, but that was after the car sat for over a year with no tranny in it. I loved them in my AWDs.

PSI2HI · 12-03-2003

Clutchmasters, i wont ever run one again. Having 2 discs explode and leave me stranded did it for me.

Centerforce, stock pedal feel, but just didn't hold the power or last long.

ACT 2100, like everyone says great clutch but only holds small power.

ACT2600, great clutch as well. Pedal feel depeends on the car, i have felt some really stiff ones but mine was never bad.

ACT2900, no stiffer feeling than the 2600. 1FST14B's 2600 felt stiffer than my 2900.

I've driven a 1G AWD w/ that Southbend combo and hated it. Terrible engagment, feel, and felt jerky like a unsprung puck disc

Im starting to think the fact that i have a new master cylinder, slave cylinder, and pedal assembly is taking away a lot of the harsh pedal feel, which im not complainging about.

Nick

**1ViciousGSX** · 12-03-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by MustGoFaster@Dec 3 2003, 09:41 PM
Oh, and 1ViciousGSX, how does your puck clutch engage?

Crazy like crazy glue!!

The sprung hub works great, it's firm, but not too harsh. The ACT puck disc is a solid hub.

It really wants to lock quickly. It makes you have to adjust your normal driving lauches when coming from a different clutch. I kept stalling the car at first under normal driving from a stop because it wanted to grab so well. But I got used to it and it is fine. It does have a little driveline noise, but nothing too bad. Ceramic clutches are the opposite of other types of clutches, as it gets hot or heated up it wants to grab even better. If I launch hard off the stutter/lauch limit of 4500rpm where I'm building boost off the line this clutch will pull the motor down and cause it to bog, that's how well it wants to grab. With a little practice, you can slip it enough to lauch without any problems. Once locked it holds all the power.

AJ · 12-03-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Khadgar@Dec 3 2003, 09:43 PM
The only issues I have with the 2600 right now is if infact it does promote crankwalk.

It doesn't directly. Overall I don't think that's an issue if everything is installed correctly. The 2600s do have a softer pedal pressure in 2Gs over 1Gs. They will hold the power your looking to put down with a ton of abuse and not have to worry about replace it down the road.

Do the other clutches give you the ability to only have to replce the pressure plate as the ACT ones do?

I won't comment on Southbend since I have never even heard about them till recently. And I can't say anything bad about CM since I have never used them.

I wouldn't go with a 2100 or 2300 since with the ACT the pressure isn't that bad and why not have the option to hold more abuse and power the first time.

Remember I used to drop my clutch with no slipping at 6k or higher every time and never have clutch, tranny, or drivelin issues. Not granted that was on a T25 running mid 13s, but figure why limit to the power your t28 will make when down the road you may want to go bigger.

12-04-2003

i like my clutchmasters, no one here seems to have tried the 2500 street disk, only the puck, kevlar and ceramic "staged" versions. the 2500 is a different thing altogether as far as i know from reading the CM website. My clutch has a smooth engagement and seems to hold fine, and doesn't make any noise as far as i can tell. i have only felt ACTs before, never had experience with their longevity. i have heard from numerous sources that the ACTs pedal pressure varies greatly from car to car, year to year, etc. i know that shindly has installed a lot of the CM2500s and has had no complaints and no experience with them breaking down to date, at least that he has told me about. like any other oppinion topic, there will never be a general consensus because people are brand loyal and there are way way too many variables when it comes to peoples oppinions. i am just here to stick up for CM, because it's been good to me so far and it has its pros and cons when compared with a 2600.