E30 Zone

My m52 is pretty much ready to drop into my e30. However I hve just read on somebody elses post that there is differences between facelift and pre facelift starters and flywheels?

I am now concerned my parts will not work when fitted.

The flywheel I have is believed to be from a 323 but I have no idea if it's pre facelift? What's the difference? (Old photo below... Before it had been cleaned up)



My car is a pre facelift 325 that I was going to use the starter from... (Sorry for poor photos but it's difficult to get to)




Also I was going to use the e36 slave but I have also read on another post to use the e30 one? Is this correct?

Final question..
I have been unable to source a e21 release bearing so I need to space out the m20 one. What size spaces do people normally weld on?

I have found the answer to 2 of my questions

1) use e36 slave
2) add 5mm to release bearing or fork

Still require confirmation of flywheel/starter combo though please

The back of the flywheel will confirm if its the lighter/earlier one or not

But if your using the starter from the car you are converting you wont have a problem

Use the slave that matches the gearbox, 5mm is plenty

Should of known you would come to the rescue again Dan. You might as well have a direct technical help line haha. Thanks

This is what I did for the fork, I cut up an old fork I had laying around, measured it up and welding it on top. Bang on 5mm.



Bit of paint to stop it rusting. Could have took the time to make it look factory, but who is really going to see it?

No way. I thought I invented that idea. Check my build thread on members e30s "saving a chromie. Proper stole my glory there!!!

Haha great minds and all that. I had never seen anyone else do it either, I think it's a better idea than welding the bearing.

My e30 is a chromie too, this is getting weird!

Just had a look at your thread, exact same idea! I did mine last Friday too? I'm freaked out.

Are you the guy I just caught looking through my window? Stalker! Haha

Sorry, must be more discreet next time.

With a e21 (and e30 323) release bearing (the metal type) do you still need to do this 5mm mod? I'm using a M42 box though

Jozi wrote:With a e21 (and e30 323) release bearing (the metal type) do you still need to do this 5mm mod? I'm using a M42 box though

Anyone know? Id like to sort this out next weekend

You don't need to modify the e21 323 but not sure about e30 323

Just looking at pics, is the reason to do this so that the bottom of the bearing sits flush at the bottom while the tabs sit on the edge of the fork?

It's to take up the difference between the thicker e36 dual mass and the thinner m20 flywheel

Ok so not a concern at all when using a e30 fly, clutch and box?

Yes if you are using an M20 flywheel with an M42 box because the M42 flywheel is also thicker than the M20 flywheel.

Damn. Just dropped my M52 with Getrag 240 and M20 facelift clutch/flywheel in and didn't do anything about the throwout bearing.

Will the car be underivable without the correct E21 323i bearing? or just not quite right?

Sounds like i'll have to remove the gearbox though, ultimately.

Lots of people don't mod the bearing and are perfectly happy. Due the the gap the biting point isn't right.