Best 350Z & G35 Clutch Kits: Exedy vs ACT vs XClutch

Choosing the right 350Z and G35 clutch kit comes down to matching disc material and clamp load to your power level and how you drive. The factory VQ35DE puts down roughly 274 lb-ft of torque, and a stock clutch starts slipping once you stack forced induction or aggressive driving on top of that. In this comparison we put four of the most popular VQ35DE clutch brands head-to-head — XClutch, Exedy, ACT, and Competition Clutch — so you can pick the kit that holds your power without ruining your daily drive.

Why the VQ35DE Outgrows Its Factory Clutch

The 2003-2006 Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G35 use the VQ35DE 3.5L V6, rated at 287 horsepower and 274 lb-ft of torque in early cars and up to 300 hp in the 2005-2006 Rev-Up engine. The factory clutch is sized for that output and nothing more. Add a cold-air intake, headers, a tune, nitrous, or a supercharger and clamp load quickly becomes the weak link.

The first symptom of a tired or overwhelmed clutch is slip: engine RPM climbs faster than road speed, usually in 3rd or 4th gear under full throttle. You may also smell a hot, acrid odor after hard launches. A performance clutch fixes this by combining a higher-clamp pressure plate with a more aggressive friction disc, and most kits here include a lightweight flywheel that sharpens throttle response by reducing rotating mass.

How We Compared These 350Z & G35 Clutches

At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, we sell and install VQ35DE clutches across the full range of builds, from stock-replacement daily drivers to 700-plus horsepower turbo cars. We ranked these kits on five things that actually matter to a 350Z or G35 owner:

• Holding capacity – how much torque or horsepower the disc and pressure plate can clamp without slipping.
• Disc material – organic, cerametallic, or ceramic, which dictates grip, wear, and how harsh engagement feels.
• Hub type – sprung centers absorb driveline shock for a smoother street feel; rigid centers maximize capacity but chatter.
• Drivability – pedal effort and engagement quality you live with every commute.
• Value – price relative to the power level it unlocks (these kits span roughly the $600 to $1,720 range).

One important note when cross-shopping: manufacturers rate clutches differently. Exedy publishes a torque-capacity figure in ft-lbs, ACT publishes a clamp-load increase percentage over stock, and Competition Clutch quotes a horsepower rating. We list each brand's own published metric below rather than converting them into a single number that would be misleading.

The Best 350Z & G35 Clutch Kits Compared

1. XClutch 7.25in Twin Solid Ceramic — Best for Big Power

This is the kit for VQ owners chasing serious numbers. XClutch's 7.25-inch twin-disc design uses two solid ceramic friction discs on a chromoly flywheel, delivering the highest holding capacity in this comparison — the choice for 600-plus wheel-horsepower turbo and supercharged builds. The smaller 7.25-inch diameter and twin-disc layout also slash rotating inertia, so the engine revs faster and rev-matched downshifts snap. The trade-off is a heavier pedal and more mechanical engagement than a single-disc organic setup, which is why we reserve it for dedicated performance cars rather than pure commuters.

2. Exedy Stage 2 Cerametallic — Best Aggressive Street/Track Single-Disc

Exedy's Stage 2 pairs a thick cerametallic disc with a sprung center and includes the matched NF04 lightweight flywheel. It is rated around 427 ft-lbs of torque capacity — a big jump over stock — while the sprung hub keeps engagement civil enough for a car that still sees street miles. Cerametallic gives you noticeably more bite and heat tolerance than organic, making this the sweet spot for a bolt-on-plus, occasional-track VQ that has outgrown a Stage 1.

3. Exedy Stage 1 Organic — Best for Street & Daily Driving

If your 350Z or G35 is naturally aspirated with bolt-ons, the Exedy Stage 1 organic is the easiest kit to live with. Its organic disc holds roughly 301 ft-lbs with about 40% more clamp load than the OE cover, yet it engages almost like a factory clutch — smooth, quiet, and forgiving in traffic. Bundled with the NF04 flywheel, it wakes up throttle response without the chatter or stiff pedal of a race disc. For most street VQs, this is the best value upgrade.

4. ACT XT / Race Sprung 6-Pad — Best for Track Grip

ACT's XT (Xtreme) pressure plate increases clamp load by 50 to 120% over stock, and here it is paired with a race sprung 6-pad ceramic disc. That combination bites hard for launches and road-course use while the sprung hub keeps some street manners. Expect a firmer pedal and a more on/off engagement than the Exedy organic, but ACT's reputation for durability makes this a favorite for autocross and track-day VQs. It is also the value pick among the high-clamp race kits, and it currently carries an extra 5% off at NLP Performance.

5. Competition Clutch White Bunny — Best Budget Replacement

When a high-mileage VQ needs a fresh clutch but you are not chasing big power, the Competition Clutch White Bunny is the value play at around $600. It uses an OE-style organic disc proven to hold about 400 horsepower (with an optional 6-puck disc rated near 475 hp) plus a lightweight steel flywheel. You get near-stock drivability and a lighter, more responsive feel for the price of a plain OE replacement — ideal for a clean daily-driven 350Z or G35.

350Z & G35 Clutch Kit Comparison Table

XClutch Twin-Disc: What We Like & What to Consider

Organic vs Cerametallic vs Ceramic vs Twin-Disc: Which Disc Do You Need?

The friction disc material is the single biggest driver of how a clutch feels and how much it holds. Here is the quick decision guide for a VQ35DE.

Organic (street & daily)

Organic discs use a fiber-based friction material that engages smoothly and quietly, close to stock feel. They hold roughly stock-to-mild power — the Exedy Stage 1 organic here is rated near 301 ft-lbs. This is the right disc for a naturally aspirated or lightly modified 350Z/G35 that sees daily driving.

Cerametallic (aggressive street & track)

Cerametallic (sometimes called ceramic-metallic) blends copper and ceramic for far more bite and heat tolerance than organic, at the cost of slightly grabbier engagement. Exedy's Stage 2 cerametallic here is rated around 427 ft-lbs, making it ideal for a bolt-on-plus car that also sees track days.

Full Ceramic 6-Pad (track)

Puck-style ceramic discs, like the ACT race 6-pad, concentrate friction into pads for maximum single-disc grip. Combined with a high-clamp pressure plate (ACT's XT adds 50-120% clamp), they excel at launches and road-course use, but engagement is more on/off.

Twin-Disc Ceramic (big power)

A twin-disc setup doubles the friction surface, letting a small-diameter clutch hold big torque while spinning up quickly. The XClutch 7.25in twin is the highest-capacity option here and the go-to for 600+ whp turbo and supercharged VQ builds.

350Z Clutch Installation: What Else You Need to Know

A VQ35DE clutch job typically takes an experienced shop 4 to 6 hours because the transmission has to come out. While you are in there, budget for a few supporting items so the new clutch lasts:

• Flywheel: The Exedy, Competition Clutch, and XClutch kits above include a matched flywheel. If you reuse a stock flywheel with a standalone disc, have it resurfaced first.
• Concentric slave/clutch fluid: Bleed the hydraulic system with fresh DOT fluid; a soft pedal after install is usually trapped air, not a bad clutch.
• Break-in: Organic and cerametallic discs want 300-500 miles of gentle, varied driving to bed in. Ceramic puck and twin-disc kits bed faster but engage sharply from day one.
• Rear main seal: With the trans out, inspecting and replacing a weeping rear main seal is cheap insurance.

Not sure which kit fits your build? Our Tampa, FL team can match a clutch to your exact power goals and driving style — every kit in this guide is in stock and ships fast. Browse the full range on our clutch and flywheel collection.