Experience With Aftermarket Clutch?

[Phlonx]

Clutch is slipping because too much torque. If I put in a little less e85 I'm good, clutch is just fine (JB4 G5 ISO with 20-30% meth). Conclusion: if I'm going to keep modding (and I'm not FBO yet), I'm going to need a clutch.

What I'm looking for: A clutch and flywheel combo to hold the torque of a FBO+ meth car. So I'm thinking about 500 lbs/ft and about 450HP realistically.

Conundrum: My luxury performance car CANNOT have chatter, not an option. Also, it needs to be comfortable to drive, I'm not expecting miracles and a little stiffer pedal is OK, but I'm not looking for a race clutch.

I understand I'm asking for a lot but my stock clutch and flywheel feel great and it does hold quite a bit (estimated 380HP and 420 lbs/ft), I just need a little more.

Looked into: Spec, SouthBend, HPF, Clutch Masters, ACT, Etc. Can't find one that fits my needs.

I guess what I'm really asking is... What clutch and flywheel do you have? How do you like it? How does it feel? How much torque is it holding?

Thanks guys!

[MuNkY6913]

My spec stage 2+ with steel smfw holds all the specs you want. That being said it's not the clutch for you. Haha. Everything you said it can't have it has.

[Phlonx]

Really, only 1 person has an aftermarket clutch?! All these 1'ers with bolt ons and meth and e85 and your OEM clutches are holding your power?!
Do I have a dud or what?

[Kabnine]

Originally Posted by Phlonx

Really, only 1 person has an aftermarket clutch?! All these 1'ers with bolt ons and meth and e85 and your OEM clutches are holding your power?!
Do I have a dud or what?

I am replacing my cutch, but I am going single mass flywheel, which is renowned for chatter. Basically I think you will find that statement where any chatter is unacceptable basically makes the options everyone has gone for not for you. Hence the lack of response.

From what I have read (during my research for my own replacement) it is possible to use the current duel mass flywheel and the XI clutch and that is the quietest option (not the strongest option), then you get the aftermarket clutches that use the DMFW, then the ones that use SMFW.

There have been reports of people producing reasonable power getting misses cause by using the DMFW, not really sure why, I didn't read the whole thread, and I think I even found one that the DMFW actually disintegrated.

So basically I have gone for a custom job with a smfw and clutch from a local manufacturer. I live in Australia.

I hope that helps.

[c0ris07]

I have recently had a SPEC stage 3 with single mass steel flywheel installed...Stage 3 is pretty racecar on/off...

Chatter is so minor most people would not even know about it...If you have an exhaust your even less likely to notice it.

[Phlonx]

Thanks fellas. Since the stock clutch and flywheel have held thus far and I only intend on adding another 100 lbs/ft or so, I'm thinking there has to be a way to just add a little stiffness to the pedal and a bit more aggressive engaging/disengaging without sacrificing the noise of a SMFW and/or race-car clutch. Has anyone tried the Spec Stg2+ clutch with OEM flywheel option? I would get a new OEM flywheel if I did this. Maybe this would be the best option

[Grinchxvx]

I have a spec 2+ with oem dual mass flywheel and it's quiet and will hold a ton of power. Only sound it makes it a little bit on decel/disengage and that's only with windows down no Music or anything that you can hear it. That's probably your best option.

[Phlonx]

Originally Posted by Grinchxvx

I have a spec 2+ with oem dual mass flywheel and it's quiet and will hold a ton of power. Only sound it makes it a little bit on decel/disengage and that's only with windows down no Music or anything that you can hear it. That's probably your best option.

Thanks for the input! Have you ran into any misifre issues? What sort of power/tq are you making?

[Grinchxvx]

Nope no misfires idk why the stock dmfw would cause misfires anyway. I only have a jb4 now but it was FBO+meth and wedge flash before I got it and made 450 whp and 510 tq no issues.

[berne]

I am puting The BMW f10 550 clutch in mine

[Phlonx]

VERY INTERESTING! ECS Tuning has the clutch kit for $385! Do you know how much better the torque rating is? I bet it feels great, it would be awesome to keep it all BMW

[Phlonx]

OK, did a little research. This looks like the BEST option! F10 550i has about 450 lbs/ft and weighs nearly 800lbs more than our cars. Best part is no sacrifice in chatter/pedal feel/engage/disengage feel/noise. Oh and the price can't be beat. I'm sold

[loesch]

Let us know how that goes. A review would be great. I'm probably going that option too down the road, if it'll work on my N55.

[Phlonx]

Ordering everything this week!! I'm wondering... Should I replace the slave cylinder while doing the clutch? Is this one of those parts that should be replaced when replacing the clutch or not really? Got the alignment tool, flywheel bolts, clutch kit, flywheel (not sure what brake fluid to get)... Anything else that comes to mind?

[loesch]

I know people recommend replacing the rear main seal while the clutch is out. Not sure about the slave cylinder though.

[EM58NDS 135i]

I'm very interested in this clutch conversion too. Can you do a breakdown of the exact parts (names/brand) you have purchased for the install? I'm over in the UK, and it may be harder for me to source parts. Thanks!

[Phlonx]

Oem Flywheel on ebay $555. 335is/F10 550i clutch kit (pressure plate, clutch disk, throughout bearing, bolts, fork) $390 on ECSTuning, flywheel bolts ($12 or so on ECS), rear main crankshaft seal $25 ECS, alignment tool $30 ECS. Total just over $1,000. All OEM parts

[loesch]

Originally Posted by Phlonx

Oem Flywheel on ebay $555. 335is/F10 550i clutch kit (pressure plate, clutch disk, throughout bearing, bolts, fork) $390 on ECSTuning, flywheel bolts ($12 or so on ECS), rear main crankshaft seal $25 ECS, alignment tool $30 ECS. Total just over $1,000. All OEM parts

[Edogg218]

Originally Posted by Phlonx

Oem Flywheel on ebay $555. 335is/F10 550i clutch kit (pressure plate, clutch disk, throughout bearing, bolts, fork) $390 on ECSTuning, flywheel bolts ($12 or so on ECS), rear main crankshaft seal $25 ECS, alignment tool $30 ECS. Total just over $1,000. All OEM parts

I can't wait to hear how this goes, I'm in the same boat as you. Keep us posted!

[Phlonx]

Just got all the parts in the mail! Most likely gonna tackle it next weekend. Will let u know when I do. The best part is as soon as I install the clutch I will add another 10-15% e85 and have instant power gains!

[dsh135]

OK, did a little research. This looks like the BEST option! F10 550i has about 450 lbs/ft and weighs nearly 800lbs more than our cars. Best part is no sacrifice in chatter/pedal feel/engage/disengage feel/noise. Oh and the price can't be beat. I'm sold

When I went meth on top of my JB4 my clutch started slipping occasionally, so figuring that it was going to get a lot worse very quickly, I started researching the options. I went through a couple of Spec Stage 2+'s on my previous GTI and the "chatter" (it's actually gear rattle) was brutal. I didn't have many options though because I was stage 3+ with meth on that car and aftermarket with single mass was the only alternative. I'm very tolerant of "performance noises" (exhaust, turbo, performance tires etc) but gear rattle just sounds like sh#t and is embarrassing when people hear your car idling and ask "what's wrong". Like you, there was no way I was going chance putting up with it on my BMW. I came across exactly the same ECS kit you did and bought it several months ago. That said, I haven't installed it yet because the slipping on the stock clutch has been minimal, so far. We'll probably hear back from you first, but I'll post my impressions as well once I've installed it and done some torture testing. My reasoning is the same as yours, BMW thinks its good enough for 450 fwtq on a car that weighs a lot more than ours, so I'm optimistic that this is a great clutch solution (for a FBO N55 anyway).

[flinchy]

Just get a spec on stock flywheel... Won't chatter then