ACT HD RB25 Clutch review

[n00b240]

Alright, so it has been 2 weeks since I followed the white bunny thread: 240sx-white-bunny-clutch-setup-t227129.html. If yall havent ventured over to the KA-T subforum, Im getting ready to go turbo. So far Ive just rebuilt the KA with all types of goodies. But enough about rebuild since there are many threads on the subject. There are hardly any decent clutch reviews out there, so here is mine.

Why RB25 clutch you ask? Well two reasons really. The ACT HD RB25 clutch kit was about 250 bucks cheaper than the KA HD clutch kit. Second, it holds more power than the ACT KA HD clutch kit. More bang for my buck really. After tooling around on the ACT website, comparing prices, and clutch options. I decided to go with the RB clutch setup, and the next step was to source an RB25 flywheel (proven 400 lb setup), which was fairly easy since my neck of the woods is filled with kids trying to put the RB into their 240 and failing halfway with a final result of a part out on craigslist. I picked up a perfect flywheel for cheap. The only catch, is that the bish is 35 lbs.

Next was to follow the Biggamehit thread: 240sx-white-bunny-clutch-setup-t227129.html and a few more threads with pictures, videos and the like, in what amounted to a fairly simple install. It would be good to get a friend who has a shop to get the car up in the air and help you out. I dont really have any other clutch experience so this review is compared to a stock clutch that has seen quite a few runs at the auto-x

Clutch in, and I got ready for a test drive. I stalled the car. I was not ready for the clutch to be so heavy. I really dont know how to describe how heavy it is, unless you have driven another car. Of course its all subjective, but with me at 135 lbs, scrawny legs, it was a bit of a shock. Initial engagement is quite harsh. The car nearly stalled several times after that. After running it on the street for a bit, shifting between gears became very easy.

However, it is that initial quick and very harsh engagement that, at least for the break in period will require you to leave a gap between your car and the car in front of you, to be at least half a car length to a full car length. If you dont, you WILL run into that car, the clutch will grab and it will send you forward. Lucky for me I figured this out early as I was the first car at a light, or had slowed down enough to wait for a light to turn green and then engage nearly hitting a car in front of me.

I took 2 weeks to break in the clutch, and after that Ive got no complaints. It shifts very smooth. I've been able to temper the harsh engagement to the point where it is extremely smooth. There is a reason why there is a street clutch and a race clutch. And the harsher the engagement the more dangerous it is for daily driven street use. Do I recommend such a setup. Hell yes, especially after the break in period, the clutch grab as smooth as a stock clutch. And you can always change your driving style to suit street use or track use.

Clutch chatter is fairly minimal, and is loudest on initial engagement. Otherwise it is smooth sailing. I really dont know what else to talk about for such a review. I tried to talk about harsh engagement, since that is a phrase I didnt even understand until I was out on the street. Clutch Chatter, Ive heard before on the Kuah's Z32. And if any of you have sat in that car, you KNOW, that chatter is loud as f***.

If there are enough requests, I'll build a bracket and get some in car video, really audio, of all this going down. Hope all this helps those looking for an upgrade. Big up to Biggamehit if he is still around for posting the whitebunny setup in this forum, otherwise I would never have ventured outside of nico, to explore options

I plan to hit an auto-x this february, and I'll be most interested in how the clutch performs during the hairpin turns, as IMO those are the hardest to navigate, I hope I am able to get 8 runs in. I'll probably update the thread again then, specifically for the hairpin turn. Turbo probably wont happen for a year, and at this point, what is left is bolt on anyway. And I still need to pick a decent suspension setup to compliment my solid bushings. Which wont happen until after a few auto-x. This hobby is expensive.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Moved

[n00b240]

Moved

why the RBDET forum? This is only a white bunny setup, has nothing to do with an RB25DET, did you even read the post? Ive got a KA, fully built internals with KA-T plans in 6-8 months?

[Joe]

moved back.
OutToWinPAHC, read a little closer :p

[Rev_D21]

Moved again to 240Gen.

[laxands13]

wow you got a lot of moves going on.. good review man, ive always wondered what that kind of set up actually feels like