![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
BMW Garage | BMW Meets | Register | Today's Posts | Search |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
>
335is/550i/650i/ECS Tuning Clutch Review
![]() |
![]() |
04-24-2014, 06:42 PM | #1 |
Major
![]() ![]() 163
Rep 1,264
Posts |
![]()
Decided to give an update and some idea of what the 335is/550i/650i clutch swap entails and some description of it. I have right at 1,000 miles on it. I have started to beat on it. I also switch to Redline MT-90 while the trans was out.
Symptoms: Stock clutch started slipping under 18psi on cold nights in 4th gear. Experience: This was my 1st BMW clutch swap. I’ve done some a few 3rd and 4th gen F-bodies. Also, engine swaps and blah blah… Install: Typical clutch swap, nothing out of the ordinary except how small the flywheel and clutch are. My flywheel had 45,000 miles on it and looked great, I cleaned it off and it still had the machine ridges and lines throughout with no burns, so I reused. My main complaints would be the top bolts that you access in the engine bay for the top of the bell housing AND the top passenger side bolt you get from under the car. I made my own clutch alignment tool. Out of some scrap tubing and electrical tape to get it snug inside and out. Overall very ghetto but worked. I also used a small triangle block of wood with a giant clamp to hold it to engine block in the flywheel teeth to keep it from spinning when torqueing the pressure plate. Make sure you mark all the random bolts and put them in bags and life will be fine. The locking ring on the pressure plate can be removed with a special tool, or I you are impatient and tired of spending money, use a hammer and a long screwdriver to knock it loose. I tied a thin wire around it and part of the car so it didn’t fly and hit anything. Remember to have some long extensions (3ft worth) and universal joints in all sizes on hand. Definitely need a friend to help and keep sanity. ALSO get that 3/8 drive with the bendable head as that is 100% needed when doing top bell housing bolts, that and maybe a small like 12-9mm sized wrenchs (3in long) to get in there and move faster. Finally grease up all the shift linkage before you put it all back together, my shifter is nice and smooth. Engagement: Clutch engagement was low after initial install but has move up since driving. I would say full release is slightly lower than OEM and pedal pressure is about 10-15% stiffer. Not at all a pain to drive and actually refreshing. Feel is very much OEM. Reasoning for 335is/550i/650i/ECS tuning clutch: I searched how many threads have popped up with 550i or 335is clutch slip events related to power and couldn’t find any. I believe this clutch is good for well into 500rwtq range. Considering the 550i is 450tq and has an easy 800lbs on my car. Dinan doesn't offer a clutch upgrade for their different stages of 550i's so they feel it’s adequate. I didn’t want to spend +$600 on a clutch. This was $380, so savings is significant. I also do not plan on doing a single turbo and plan on being done at FBO levels. Fluid: I really like the fluid made a huge difference on the 1-2 shift. I need to perform the CDV next, but decided not to during swap so I could appreciate the difference. F10 550i Power: 400 bhp @ 5500 rpm Torque: 450 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm Curb weight: 4417 lb (auto); 4358 lb (manual) My Car Power: est 400rwhp Torque: +430rwtq Curb Weight: 3510lb (weighed) Time: 12.7@115mph Album of Images (sorry wish I took more, but it all looks the same.) View post on imgur.com edit: Watch the HPF clutch video for more suggestions as well.
__________________
2010|335i|LMB|E92|6MT|MSport|Logic7|335is Clutch|AE Performance|BMS|Walbro|VRSF 7"| 149.7mph NFZ AZ 1/2mi
1992|Pontiac Firebird|Mild 355ci|T56| -I will look on your treasures, gypsy. Is this understood?- ![]() |
04-24-2014, 08:12 PM | #2 |
Captain
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 64
Rep 762
Posts
Drives: E82 135i N54 6MT & F80 M3 DCT
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: USA
|
It's great that we have an OEM BMW upgrade option. I appreciate you documenting and creating the write-up.
My clutch slips when running the Cobb E-30 (E85 Mix) map. So I had to dial back down to Stage 2+ Aggressive until I had the funds and time for a clutch swap. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-24-2014, 08:55 PM | #3 |
Captain
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 91
Rep 817
Posts |
I'm in the process of doing this same upgrade and got a new stock dual mass flywheel just to be on the safe side but my pressure plate has a defect in it, see here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=976721 I will probably return it just to be sure it doesn't cause any problems. Also, what's this fluid you're talking about? |
Appreciate
0
|
04-24-2014, 09:39 PM | #4 | |
Major
![]() ![]() 163
Rep 1,264
Posts |
Quote:
edit: random question, is the imgur album working for you guys?
__________________
2010|335i|LMB|E92|6MT|MSport|Logic7|335is Clutch|AE Performance|BMS|Walbro|VRSF 7"| 149.7mph NFZ AZ 1/2mi
1992|Pontiac Firebird|Mild 355ci|T56| -I will look on your treasures, gypsy. Is this understood?- ![]() |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-25-2014, 12:46 AM | #5 |
Captain
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 91
Rep 817
Posts |
Yep, the photo album works and I just recently put Redline MTL in my trans and noticed the difference right away, much smoother....
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-25-2014, 11:29 AM | #7 |
Major
![]() ![]() 163
Rep 1,264
Posts |
Nice. I'm excited to get that done soon.
__________________
2010|335i|LMB|E92|6MT|MSport|Logic7|335is Clutch|AE Performance|BMS|Walbro|VRSF 7"| 149.7mph NFZ AZ 1/2mi
1992|Pontiac Firebird|Mild 355ci|T56| -I will look on your treasures, gypsy. Is this understood?- ![]() |
Appreciate
0
|
04-25-2014, 12:28 PM | #8 |
Lieutenant Colonel
![]() ![]() 121
Rep 1,665
Posts |
So this is for the IS DCT?
__________________
2011 335IS Alpine White|Coral Red|DCT|BuraQ E60 Tune|DCI|VRSF 3" DownPipes| ER ChargePipe w/ HKS SSQV BOV|VRSF 7" FMIC|RB PCV| BMS Oil Catch Can|NGK 5992|AQUAMIST HFS-4 w/Twin Methanol Tank|Custom Exhaust| ST Coilovers| and a METAL FOOT
![]() |
Appreciate
0
|
04-25-2014, 12:30 PM | #9 |
Major
![]() ![]() 163
Rep 1,264
Posts |
__________________
2010|335i|LMB|E92|6MT|MSport|Logic7|335is Clutch|AE Performance|BMS|Walbro|VRSF 7"| 149.7mph NFZ AZ 1/2mi
1992|Pontiac Firebird|Mild 355ci|T56| -I will look on your treasures, gypsy. Is this understood?- ![]() |
Appreciate
0
|
04-26-2014, 11:46 AM | #10 |
Captain
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 73
Rep 788
Posts |
I believe our cars require redline ATF (auto trans fluid). So technically the MT90 isn't compatible. I'm currently using Redline D4 ATF
__________________
JB4 Trebila tuned cp-e IC AMS exhaust BMS DCI AR DP's METH RB TURBO
19" VMR VB3 Stoptech BBK TC KLINE VORSHLAG SPEC STG 3 OSS design |
Appreciate
0
|
04-26-2014, 12:42 PM | #11 |
Major
![]() ![]() 163
Rep 1,264
Posts |
There is an in-depth discussion on another very popular n54 forum discussing it's uses. Enough people have run it long enough for me to believe its useful.
__________________
2010|335i|LMB|E92|6MT|MSport|Logic7|335is Clutch|AE Performance|BMS|Walbro|VRSF 7"| 149.7mph NFZ AZ 1/2mi
1992|Pontiac Firebird|Mild 355ci|T56| -I will look on your treasures, gypsy. Is this understood?- ![]() |
Appreciate
0
|
06-03-2014, 09:32 PM | #12 | |
Major
![]() 169
Rep 1,246
Posts
Drives: 2022 F44 M235i GC
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin, TX
|
Quote:
Thanks for the review. Great to have a beefier OEM solution. Last edited by snaimpally; 06-03-2014 at 09:38 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-04-2014, 11:39 AM | #13 | |
Major
![]() ![]() 163
Rep 1,264
Posts |
Quote:
No slipping on the new one and chipping 3rd gear is something I don't think the old one did very often... at this point I want do get the CDV delete done. Been lazy.
__________________
2010|335i|LMB|E92|6MT|MSport|Logic7|335is Clutch|AE Performance|BMS|Walbro|VRSF 7"| 149.7mph NFZ AZ 1/2mi
1992|Pontiac Firebird|Mild 355ci|T56| -I will look on your treasures, gypsy. Is this understood?- ![]() |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-04-2014, 10:56 PM | #14 | |
Major
![]() 169
Rep 1,246
Posts
Drives: 2022 F44 M235i GC
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin, TX
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-05-2014, 07:50 AM | #15 |
Lieutenant Colonel
![]() 104
Rep 1,529
Posts |
Wonder how it would hold up with rb turbos
__________________
Space Gray l 6MT l OSG LSD w/ VAC Race Diff Cover l Cobb e30 l Morr vs8.2 l UUC SSK w/ DSSR l VSRF Catless Dps l RPI Intercooler l CDV Removed l HID AE 8000k l ETS Catback l AST 5200 w/ Vorshlag Camber Plates l ER Dual Oil Coolers l Rear Camber and Toe Arms l K&N Drop In l Solid Tranny/Diff/Subframe Bushings l Bridgestone RE-11
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-05-2014, 01:05 PM | #19 |
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
![]() 25740
Rep 193,877
Posts ![]() |
Nice review
__________________
Check out our current sale by clicking on this link!
https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435 ![]() |
Appreciate
0
|
06-05-2014, 03:38 PM | #20 |
Captain
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 31
Rep 722
Posts
Drives: 2008 BMW 335xi
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Detroit
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-05-2014, 03:45 PM | #21 |
Captain
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 41
Rep 823
Posts |
my issue is i've never seen the 335is clutch in person.. so while the 335i and xi clutches are the same.. i don't know if the pressure plate itself is larger? possibly will not fit with the xi.. OP can you post a pic of the components if you have em?
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-05-2014, 05:27 PM | #22 |
![]() 3455
Rep 79,211
Posts
Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|