Which clutch & FW for >400lb/ft - turbo M52b28

[Supafly]

Hi,

What clutch set up are people using for their turbo e30's?

I'm in the last stages of gathering all the parts and the clutch is proving troublesome.

I plan to daily drive the car and don't want something with an overly heavy pedal. The twin disc clutch from FTWL in Poland looks appealing.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M50-M52- ... 2336465043

I have also read that the n54 (335i) self adjusting clutch can be fitted to the m50/m52. I don't mind if I have to keep a dual mass flywheel as this will keep it more docile at low speeds.

By Wanganstyle - from r3vlimited.com

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showth ... p?t=243443

"To use a n54 turbo clutch on a m20; you need:

330i e46 zhp 2005-6 standard flywheel (could be an aftermarket fly) and matching new one time use bolts.
Also a 240mm friction disc matching your transmission input spline standard (there are a few different ones to choose from)
And the 135/335/535 pressure plate.

The throw out bearing/clutch fork will match the transmission

The n54b30 and all 2000+ bmw Oem clutches are SAC (self adjusting). A special bmw tool is required to set this. Don't try it without the factory unless you have a machine shop handy to make tools and understand how to operate the adjustment properly.

If one desires a very high load pressure plate the e82 1M pressure plate could be special ordered from bmw. The 545i e60 pressure plate also is compatible and is rated from the factory with a 370lb ft 4800cc v8.

The easier setup would be to order a complete dual or single mass flywheel setup +clutch for a e36 m3 / z3m ( s52 usa setup) and bolt it on. This can handle 350rwhp or so, you can buy it at any bmw supplier or dealer any day of the week it should be in stock- it's very popular/drivable-I'd suggest keeping the dual mass.

The Oem s52 setup total weight is very similar to a m20 single mass setup. But you can flat foot shift and the flywheel will take the abuse instead of the gearbox."



The only twin disc set up I have driven was a 300zx twin turbo, it was a little noisy. Ideally I want to keep the car as standard looking and sounding as possible.

From what I can gather the american FX / southbend etc clutches work out to be quite expensive once they arrive here.

Has anyone already been through this and have any comments or suggestions?

Thanks!

[Supafly]

Moderators, can this be moved to the turbo forum as I think I may have posted it in the wrong section.

Thank you

[Gt40e30]

I bought a competition clutch billet flywheel
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COMPETITION- ... 2403409428
This friction plate with an e36 m3 Sachs pressure plate !
But sorry it’s for a build so I haven’t had chance to try it .

[Supafly]

Thanks for the tip. That looks like a really good solution, sprung centre will make it more useful in daily duties too.

Is this thing rated at 517 lb/ft of torque?

I was looking at the twin disc set ups that are available from Poland on ebay. If this can do it with the M3 sachs pressure plate then I think it would be a better (cheaper) solution.

Do you know of any other feedback for this set up by someone who has run it yet?

[Gt40e30]

No but competition clutch has a very good name for its self .
I looked at twin disc clutch too but this is simple and cheaper and lighter that’s a win win win !

[Gt40e30]

I have seen an e46 3.0d do 650+Ftlb on a standard 530d clutch no issues I don’t think I’ll have any issues with my setup.
I hear the e36 m3 clutch is a little heavy though but I’ve not had first hand experience of this .

[Supafly]

Does a 530d clutch fit an m20 or m52 flywheel? With the e36 328i five speed gear box?
Or is it that the e36 m3 pressure plate is the same as the 530d?

I would prefer it if I could find an oem combo that will work and has a better chance of being more suited to daily driving. If ever there is an issue down the road, I won't then be praying that the company is still in business or having to switch to a different solution.

[Gt40e30]

I looked into this a little with no joy !

[Supafly]

That's a shame, I've been looking into/researching this for a while too. I would love to have an oem fit if possible, I've had bad experiences with so called performance clutches in the past.

The n54 self adjusting clutch looks like a win win if 'the special tool' is more common now. The info in my first post is quite dated now so I'm hoping a few more people have trodden this path in the time being. I'll need to read up some more on these self adjusting clutches, should be diy-able by now.