[JasW]

I'm in the midst of my break-in period with the Spec 3+ clutch (and an SMFW). The engagement point of the clutch is almost right at the top -- I only have to depress the clutch pedal slightly when shifting.

Aside from the fact that this is at odds with my years and years of pushing the pedal at least halfway to the floor, I can see how this would enable quicker shifts by allowing a lighter, faster touch with the left foot. But is this normal? That is, will it settle down to a lower point after the break in period? I'm afraid of getting sloppy and grinding by applying too light a touch now.

Someone on another, non-BMW forum reported that after unsuccessfully trying to adjust the engagement point, they'd been told by Spec tech support that the pedal would return to the factory engagement point by the end of the break-in period. I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who's had similar experience.

[2jzn54]

i don't have a spec.. but with my twin disc you can adjust the engagement point by using more or less shims. Guessing by your post your clutch/flywheel package didn't come with shims?

Personally I like the engagement right at the top, but I can understand why you'd hate it. The engagement point didn't really move much for me after break-in.

[JasW]

Originally Posted by Daily Three

i don't have a spec.. but with my twin disc you can adjust the engagement point by using more or less shims. Guessing by your post your clutch/flywheel package didn't come with shims?

Personally I like the engagement right at the top, but I can understand why you'd hate it. The engagement point didn't really move much for me after break-in.

I don't believe it did come with shims, but I don't know for sure. The install was done by my performance shop, which got the Spec package overnighted when my old stock clutch suddenly turned to mush. Unfortunately, the install proved to be much more expensive than the norm because my inlets had to be taken out and put back in -- while they are in a stock location horizontally, they drop down vertically and prevent removal of the tranny. So it would be cost-prohibitive at this point to get back in there.

I actually like the engagement at the top for shifting in between gears because it is super fast. What I don't like is shifting into first from a stop. I have a lifelong, probably bad practice of waiting at a stop in 1st gear with my foot resting on the clutch pushed all the way to the floor. Now I have to keep my foot tense just below that top engagement point. I'm still getting the hang of that. I sometimes have a lot of overrevving as I'm shifting into first If I've pushed down on the clutch too much.

[Ozzie335i]

I believe the throw out bearing can be installed both ways, allowing a high or low engagement point.

[JTswole83]

The TObearing needs to be installed in the factory position.

[JasW]

Originally Posted by Ozzie335i

I believe the throw out bearing can be installed both ways, allowing a high or low engagement point.

Originally Posted by JTswole83

The TObearing needs to be installed in the factory position.

Yup, thanks, I just found out from Spec that the bearing should be installed as the original bearing was, with orientation on the low setting, if you want the engagement point more or less the same as stock. Apparently, mine was installed on the high setting. Aside from the car being less pleasurable for me to drive, I'm concerned that the engagement point will keep getting even higher, as it tends to do as the clutch wears, leading to slipping and glazing and having to replace the clutch way too soon. The install shop screwed up here -- they should have asked. I trust they'll do right by me because I've dropped a ton of $$ with them.

[Julian2485]

Where do the shims go ?

[Lshaw]

My spec 3+ was installed the same way. Wont go higher, might drop a tad. About 20k miles on it now and no complaints!

[JasW]

Originally Posted by Lshaw

My spec 3+ was installed the same way. Wont go higher, might drop a tad. About 20k miles on it now and no complaints!

That's good to hear. I brought mine into the shop for a look see, and they bled the clutch and put in the Burger clutch delay valve I'd picked up. The engagement point is just a tad lower now, and engagement is a tad smoother. I can live with it. Second gear is a bit notchier than it had been. Not sure what to do there because the gear fluid was replaced with the good stuff (Red Line ATF D4).

[Julian2485]

Originally Posted by JasW

That's good to hear. I brought mine into the shop for a look see, and they bled the clutch and put in the Burger clutch delay valve I'd picked up. The engagement point is just a tad lower now, and engagement is a tad smoother. I can live with it. Second gear is a bit notchier than it had been. Not sure what to do there because the gear fluid was replaced with the good stuff (Red Line ATF D4).

Once I bled my clutch it got alt better as well engagement dropped a little and smoother shifting but take out the clutch delay valve and just connect the clutch lines straight together

[Lshaw]

Originally Posted by JasW

That's good to hear. I brought mine into the shop for a look see, and they bled the clutch and put in the Burger clutch delay valve I'd picked up. The engagement point is just a tad lower now, and engagement is a tad smoother. I can live with it. Second gear is a bit notchier than it had been. Not sure what to do there because the gear fluid was replaced with the good stuff (Red Line ATF D4).

it softens up though once broken in, very grabby for sure though. I used synchromax fluid. CDV is always a must.

[JasW]

Originally Posted by Julian2485

Once I bled my clutch it got alt better as well engagement dropped a little and smoother shifting but take out the clutch delay valve and just connect the clutch lines straight together

I don't believe there's much of a difference between a full CDV delete and a CDV modified with a wider opening (which is what the Burger CDV is). Either way you get faster clutch take-up.

[Julian2485]

Originally Posted by JasW

I don't believe there's much of a difference between a full CDV delete and a CDV modified with a wider opening (which is what the Burger CDV is). Either way you get faster clutch take-up.

I felt a difference when I did both

[JasW]

Originally Posted by Julian2485

I felt a difference when I did both

How so? An even faster take up? To the extent I have any complaints now, it's more about the notchiness in 2nd gear -- not getting as smooth and quick a shift as I can when going from 1st to 2nd puts kind of a damper on quick acceleration from a stop.

[Julian2485]

Originally Posted by JasW

How so? An even faster take up? To the extent I have any complaints now, it's more about the notchiness in 2nd gear -- not getting as smooth and quick a shift as I can when going from 1st to 2nd puts kind of a damper on quick acceleration from a stop.

Yea even removing the delay valve doesn't solve that