Upgraded clutch advice

idnan · 04-04-2013, 07:33 AM

DB, that is exactly the feeling I have when I accelerate, but IMO the vibration is due to the DMF design rather than it failing. I'm 90% sure mine did it when it was brand new and it is probably caused by the big torque our cars produce.

idnan · 04-09-2013, 04:09 AM

HPF clutch and Spec flywheel decided that they loved each other too much this morning and fused together

FML, ordering a Spec 3+ and steel SMFW this evening

phil200tdi · 04-09-2013, 06:11 AM

Shit! Did you manage to limp it somewhere or were you stranded by the roadside?

Sorry to hear that mate. Is it not possible to resurface the Ali FW? I thought this was a selling point of the Solid discs...

Makes me think I need to stop putting this off - doing a trackday yesterday was equally tempting fate!

idnan · 04-09-2013, 06:41 AM

Was pulling into the carpark at work and managed to move it on the starter motor. I was thinking of resurfacing the alu fw but it was far too noisy so I'm thinking of going for the steel one. I'm not going to miss the quicker reving so I think the steel will be better.

phil200tdi · 04-09-2013, 06:43 AM

If it can be resurfaced and depending upon doughboys feedback I might try it out... With my power levels and mated to a spec clutch it might be ok for me.

doughboy · 04-09-2013, 07:41 AM

Idnan - were you giving any beans? How can it weld so easily?

The SPEC billet flywheels have bolt on face plates (mine does anyway), so they be changed out.

I'm busy trying to source a steel FW ASAP and then get a credit on return of the Ally one.

No sellers in the UK will take it back, so I'll have to foot the shipping to the US.

idnan · 04-09-2013, 07:56 AM

Yeah sure, I'll give you a shout when it is off the car. DB, it was the first hard launch I did with the car and I had been giving it the beans on the way there. HPF clutches are notorious for welding together and as I've found out, this is even more likely with a lightened flywheel.

I'm contacting a company who should be getting me a quote on the spec in the next hour.

doughboy · 04-09-2013, 08:00 AM

Who are you using BTW?

I need a SB53S-3 flywheel (steel billet, 6 hole, for use with SPEC non SAC pressure plate)

idnan · 04-09-2013, 08:03 AM

Protuningfreaks

I was supposed to be going with VRSF after they offered to help me out due to them mucking up my last order but they seem to be ignoring me now.

doughboy · 04-09-2013, 08:05 AM

Topgear solutions seem to have a sale on now....

The FW i'm after is 539USD right now, down from 599

idnan · 04-09-2013, 08:08 AM

Last time I used TopGearSolutions I got charged over £250 for customs despite telling them to sort it. Actually that was for the HPF clutch, looked like it was bad news even before it was fitted.

doughboy · 04-09-2013, 08:21 AM

Yeah, I can see PTF is also selling at a reduced 539USD.

I'll give them a shout.

doughboy · 04-09-2013, 03:24 PM

I'm thinking I might just fit the ally FW, see how it is, seems the minority have noise issues other than idle rattles.

Mines a completely different unit to Idnans, so maybe it will give different gear vibrations / noises.

Although it is ally, it is a different, lighter, flywheel and a lighter stronger still pressure plate.

The friction plate has different material and springs too...

Who knows? The joys of modding....

phil200tdi · 04-10-2013, 01:54 AM

Ah Yes, Forgot that Idnan's was an oem replacement rather than to fit spec only clutches like yours..

Would spec offer a trade in if its used? Unfortunately I suspect the market will be small in the UK for any used parts if you change your mind..

doughboy · 04-10-2013, 04:22 AM

Change of plan......

CA-Tech have come up with a good price and 7 days expedited delivery on a steel SMFW for a spec non-SAC clutch....

So i've bought that in full.

Then they are going to handle the return to the US of my Ally one via their cheaper UPS account to get a full credit from SPEC as agreed by SPEC.

A bit of a f##k up, but I think the better result.

I really should have gone for the steel one, but it was too heavy for my brother to hand carry back from the US... Live and learn...

doughboy · 04-12-2013, 02:12 AM

HOLY B'JESUS!

The quickest US delivery ever - Flywheel left Alabama on Wednesday evening, via 3 US airports & out for delivery in Gosport, Hampshire, this (Friday) morning at 5.59 am!!

Interestingly it pre-cleared UK customs before it left the US so it could go straight out at this end.......

UPS Tracking:

12/04/2013 5:59 Out for Delivery Eastleigh, United Kingdom
12/04/2013 5:40 Arrival Scan
12/04/2013 2:43 Departure Scan Castle Donnington, United Kingdom
12/04/2013 1:58 Import Scan
11/04/2013 20:19 Arrival Scan Castle Donnington, United Kingdom
11/04/2013 8:19 Departure Scan Philadelphia, PA, United States
11/04/2013 6:05 Arrival Scan
11/04/2013 4:24 Departure Scan Louisville, KY, United States
11/04/2013 0:25 Arrival Scan
10/04/2013 22:03 Departure Scan Birmingham, AL, United States
10/04/2013 21:21 Arrival Scan
10/04/2013 21:06 Departure Scan
10/04/2013 19:31 Origin Scan
11/04/2013 1:03 Released by Clearing Agency. Now in-transit Castle Donnington, United Kingdom
10/04/2013 16:36 Order Processed: Ready for UPS United States

phil200tdi · 04-12-2013, 02:20 AM

Thats pretty good..

Why delivery to Gosport?

I'll look into CA-Tech if they handled the shipping and duties correctly etc!

doughboy · 04-12-2013, 02:39 AM

The fact it pre-cleared UK customs whilst in the US means it must have been pre-paid tax handled by UPS.

CA-Tech are in Gosport, they want to receive it to check it of course, then they're forwarding it straight to Darren Wood.

It will take longer to get it to Manchster that for it to come from Alabama!

I honestly have nothing but praise for Roy at CA-Tech. They've been great from start to finish, great comms, the price was good, the delivery arrangements spot on.

They kept me informed and paid the extra fast shipping no extra charge as they knew I was pushed for time and they are taking back the ally flywheel, shipping it to the US and have liased with SPEC to confirm a refund.

They're also a BMW biased shop, as opposed to garagewhifbitz, so it seemed a better choice.

phil200tdi · 04-12-2013, 02:56 AM

Are they a Spec distributor then?

I thought it was just Garagewhifbitz in the UK..

doughboy · 04-12-2013, 02:57 AM

Yep http://www.specclutch.com/dealers/United_Kingdom

Best of the 3 for us IMO.

phil200tdi · 04-12-2013, 03:08 AM

I'll ask them for a quote..

Gosport isnt too far (closer than DW's anyway) - I'd prefer that they fit this and get some sort of warranty...

doughboy · 04-15-2013, 10:34 AM

At last - it's all here and I've got round to taking some pics.

New steel SMFW arrived and it's WAY heavier than the ally one that I returned, which is good from a noise perspective.

This is the SPEC non SAC full kit of FW and Clutch, not to be confused with the separately available OE compatible clutches and flywheels.

These full kits are lighter than the SPEC OE FW kits and have a lighter pressure plate too, and are way more powerful - this one is proven to 545lbft or 738nm!!!

I've had the hybrid stage2+/3 friction plate, Interestingly this has 1 side (FWside) with a single face kevlar lining and the other side is a 6-puck carbon semi-metallic plate.

This is supposed to give soft initial pickup using the organic pad then lock up with 6puck force as the clutch pressure increases.

Booked in at Darren Wood on Monday for fitment....

04-04-2013, 07:33 AM	#111
idnan Lieutenant Colonel 76 Rep 1,518 Posts Drives: Alpine White 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (9)	DB, that is exactly the feeling I have when I accelerate, but IMO the vibration is due to the DMF design rather than it failing. I'm 90% sure mine did it when it was brand new and it is probably caused by the big torque our cars produce.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 04:09 AM	#112
idnan Lieutenant Colonel 76 Rep 1,518 Posts Drives: Alpine White 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (9)	HPF clutch and Spec flywheel decided that they loved each other too much this morning and fused together FML, ordering a Spec 3+ and steel SMFW this evening
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 06:11 AM	#113
phil200tdi Colonel 112 Rep 2,621 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport E90 LCI manual Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Aylesbury iTrader: (1)	Shit! Did you manage to limp it somewhere or were you stranded by the roadside? Sorry to hear that mate. Is it not possible to resurface the Ali FW? I thought this was a selling point of the Solid discs... Makes me think I need to stop putting this off - doing a trackday yesterday was equally tempting fate! __________________ Car: e91 330d with Viezu map Gone but not forgotten: 2010 Jaguar XFR (Cat-back exhaust, pulley, intake mods and map), Highly Modified E90 335i LCI M Sport Manual (circa 480BHP/500lb ft)
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04-09-2013, 06:41 AM	#114
idnan Lieutenant Colonel 76 Rep 1,518 Posts Drives: Alpine White 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (9)	Was pulling into the carpark at work and managed to move it on the starter motor. I was thinking of resurfacing the alu fw but it was far too noisy so I'm thinking of going for the steel one. I'm not going to miss the quicker reving so I think the steel will be better.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 06:43 AM	#115
phil200tdi Colonel 112 Rep 2,621 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport E90 LCI manual Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Aylesbury iTrader: (1)	If it can be resurfaced and depending upon doughboys feedback I might try it out... With my power levels and mated to a spec clutch it might be ok for me. __________________ Car: e91 330d with Viezu map Gone but not forgotten: 2010 Jaguar XFR (Cat-back exhaust, pulley, intake mods and map), Highly Modified E90 335i LCI M Sport Manual (circa 480BHP/500lb ft)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 07:41 AM	#116
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Idnan - were you giving any beans? How can it weld so easily? The SPEC billet flywheels have bolt on face plates (mine does anyway), so they be changed out. I'm busy trying to source a steel FW ASAP and then get a credit on return of the Ally one. No sellers in the UK will take it back, so I'll have to foot the shipping to the US.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 07:56 AM	#117
idnan Lieutenant Colonel 76 Rep 1,518 Posts Drives: Alpine White 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (9)	Yeah sure, I'll give you a shout when it is off the car. DB, it was the first hard launch I did with the car and I had been giving it the beans on the way there. HPF clutches are notorious for welding together and as I've found out, this is even more likely with a lightened flywheel. I'm contacting a company who should be getting me a quote on the spec in the next hour.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 08:00 AM	#118
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Who are you using BTW? I need a SB53S-3 flywheel (steel billet, 6 hole, for use with SPEC non SAC pressure plate)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 08:03 AM	#119
idnan Lieutenant Colonel 76 Rep 1,518 Posts Drives: Alpine White 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (9)	Protuningfreaks I was supposed to be going with VRSF after they offered to help me out due to them mucking up my last order but they seem to be ignoring me now.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 08:05 AM	#120
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Topgear solutions seem to have a sale on now.... The FW i'm after is 539USD right now, down from 599
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 08:08 AM	#121
idnan Lieutenant Colonel 76 Rep 1,518 Posts Drives: Alpine White 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (9)	Last time I used TopGearSolutions I got charged over £250 for customs despite telling them to sort it. Actually that was for the HPF clutch, looked like it was bad news even before it was fitted.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 08:21 AM	#122
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Yeah, I can see PTF is also selling at a reduced 539USD. I'll give them a shout.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2013, 03:24 PM	#123
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	I'm thinking I might just fit the ally FW, see how it is, seems the minority have noise issues other than idle rattles. Mines a completely different unit to Idnans, so maybe it will give different gear vibrations / noises. Although it is ally, it is a different, lighter, flywheel and a lighter stronger still pressure plate. The friction plate has different material and springs too... Who knows? The joys of modding....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2013, 01:54 AM	#124
phil200tdi Colonel 112 Rep 2,621 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport E90 LCI manual Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Aylesbury iTrader: (1)	Ah Yes, Forgot that Idnan's was an oem replacement rather than to fit spec only clutches like yours.. Would spec offer a trade in if its used? Unfortunately I suspect the market will be small in the UK for any used parts if you change your mind.. __________________ Car: e91 330d with Viezu map Gone but not forgotten: 2010 Jaguar XFR (Cat-back exhaust, pulley, intake mods and map), Highly Modified E90 335i LCI M Sport Manual (circa 480BHP/500lb ft)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2013, 04:22 AM	#125
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Change of plan...... CA-Tech have come up with a good price and 7 days expedited delivery on a steel SMFW for a spec non-SAC clutch.... So i've bought that in full. Then they are going to handle the return to the US of my Ally one via their cheaper UPS account to get a full credit from SPEC as agreed by SPEC. A bit of a f##k up, but I think the better result. I really should have gone for the steel one, but it was too heavy for my brother to hand carry back from the US... Live and learn... Last edited by doughboy; 04-10-2013 at 07:34 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-12-2013, 02:12 AM	#126
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	HOLY B'JESUS! The quickest US delivery ever - Flywheel left Alabama on Wednesday evening, via 3 US airports & out for delivery in Gosport, Hampshire, this (Friday) morning at 5.59 am!! Interestingly it pre-cleared UK customs before it left the US so it could go straight out at this end....... UPS Tracking: 12/04/2013 5:59 Out for Delivery Eastleigh, United Kingdom 12/04/2013 5:40 Arrival Scan 12/04/2013 2:43 Departure Scan Castle Donnington, United Kingdom 12/04/2013 1:58 Import Scan 11/04/2013 20:19 Arrival Scan Castle Donnington, United Kingdom 11/04/2013 8:19 Departure Scan Philadelphia, PA, United States 11/04/2013 6:05 Arrival Scan 11/04/2013 4:24 Departure Scan Louisville, KY, United States 11/04/2013 0:25 Arrival Scan 10/04/2013 22:03 Departure Scan Birmingham, AL, United States 10/04/2013 21:21 Arrival Scan 10/04/2013 21:06 Departure Scan 10/04/2013 19:31 Origin Scan 11/04/2013 1:03 Released by Clearing Agency. Now in-transit Castle Donnington, United Kingdom 10/04/2013 16:36 Order Processed: Ready for UPS United States
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04-12-2013, 02:20 AM	#127
phil200tdi Colonel 112 Rep 2,621 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport E90 LCI manual Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Aylesbury iTrader: (1)	Thats pretty good.. Why delivery to Gosport? I'll look into CA-Tech if they handled the shipping and duties correctly etc! __________________ Car: e91 330d with Viezu map Gone but not forgotten: 2010 Jaguar XFR (Cat-back exhaust, pulley, intake mods and map), Highly Modified E90 335i LCI M Sport Manual (circa 480BHP/500lb ft)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-12-2013, 02:39 AM	#128
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	The fact it pre-cleared UK customs whilst in the US means it must have been pre-paid tax handled by UPS. CA-Tech are in Gosport, they want to receive it to check it of course, then they're forwarding it straight to Darren Wood. It will take longer to get it to Manchster that for it to come from Alabama! I honestly have nothing but praise for Roy at CA-Tech. They've been great from start to finish, great comms, the price was good, the delivery arrangements spot on. They kept me informed and paid the extra fast shipping no extra charge as they knew I was pushed for time and they are taking back the ally flywheel, shipping it to the US and have liased with SPEC to confirm a refund. They're also a BMW biased shop, as opposed to garagewhifbitz, so it seemed a better choice.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-12-2013, 02:56 AM	#129
phil200tdi Colonel 112 Rep 2,621 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport E90 LCI manual Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Aylesbury iTrader: (1)	Are they a Spec distributor then? I thought it was just Garagewhifbitz in the UK.. __________________ Car: e91 330d with Viezu map Gone but not forgotten: 2010 Jaguar XFR (Cat-back exhaust, pulley, intake mods and map), Highly Modified E90 335i LCI M Sport Manual (circa 480BHP/500lb ft)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-12-2013, 02:57 AM	#130
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Yep http://www.specclutch.com/dealers/United_Kingdom Best of the 3 for us IMO.
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04-12-2013, 03:08 AM	#131
phil200tdi Colonel 112 Rep 2,621 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport E90 LCI manual Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Aylesbury iTrader: (1)	I'll ask them for a quote.. Gosport isnt too far (closer than DW's anyway) - I'd prefer that they fit this and get some sort of warranty... __________________ Car: e91 330d with Viezu map Gone but not forgotten: 2010 Jaguar XFR (Cat-back exhaust, pulley, intake mods and map), Highly Modified E90 335i LCI M Sport Manual (circa 480BHP/500lb ft)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-15-2013, 10:34 AM	#132
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	At last - it's all here and I've got round to taking some pics. New steel SMFW arrived and it's WAY heavier than the ally one that I returned, which is good from a noise perspective. This is the SPEC non SAC full kit of FW and Clutch, not to be confused with the separately available OE compatible clutches and flywheels. These full kits are lighter than the SPEC OE FW kits and have a lighter pressure plate too, and are way more powerful - this one is proven to 545lbft or 738nm!!! I've had the hybrid stage2+/3 friction plate, Interestingly this has 1 side (FWside) with a single face kevlar lining and the other side is a 6-puck carbon semi-metallic plate. This is supposed to give soft initial pickup using the organic pad then lock up with 6puck force as the clutch pressure increases. Booked in at Darren Wood on Monday for fitment.... Attached Images Last edited by doughboy; 04-15-2013 at 10:58 AM..
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