Improved performance with new clutch...

[rommelrules]

OK, here's a doubt I have in my mind. If you burnt out your clutch in 40K miles of driving
don't bother answering as you won't be able to answer my question probably...
I am not interested in what my clutch does when launching my car at 4000 RPM's,
but rather what it does once I'm winding it up through the gears.

For all you drivers that replaced your high mileage clutch even though
it was not slipping, did you notice any improvement performance wise?

I have never had to replace a clutch in any of my cars (Yes, that's how good of a driver I am :stickoutt )
Currently, I have 190K miles on my original clutch and it does not show any symptoms of slipping at all.
At least not the obvious telltale signs... I have driven cars with slipping clutches, so I know what a slipping clutch is.

However, it seems like my car is kind of flat performance wise--
that is, the revs climb but the car is not picking up steam like it used to do.
So... can your clutch still be slipping without showing any of the obvious classic symptoms...?

Will getting a new clutch make the car peppier and quicker?
I'm inclined to believe that no, and that there is no need to replace
something that obviously does not appear to be failing.
But am I wrong?

What you all think?

[rommelrules]

For all you drivers that replaced your high mileage clutch even though
it was not slipping, did you notice any improvement performance wise?




Anyone...?

[POPS M3]

OK, here's a doubt I have in my mind. If you burnt out your clutch in 40K miles of driving
don't bother answering as you won't be able to answer my question probably...
I am not interested in what my clutch does when launching my car at 4000 RPM's,
but rather what it does once I'm winding it up through the gears.

For all you drivers that replaced your high mileage clutch even though
it was not slipping, did you notice any improvement performance wise?

I have never had to replace a clutch in any of my cars (Yes, that's how good of a driver I am :stickoutt )
Currently, I have 190K miles on my original clutch and it does not show any symptoms of slipping at all.
At least not the obvious telltale signs... I have driven cars with slipping clutches, so I know what a slipping clutch is.

However, it seems like my car is kind of flat performance wise--
that is, the revs climb but the car is not picking up steam like it used to do.
So... can your clutch still be slipping without showing any of the obvious classic symptoms...?

Will getting a new clutch make the car peppier and quicker?
I'm inclined to believe that no, and that there is no need to replace
something that obviously does not appear to be failing.
But am I wrong?

What you all think?

If your clutch is not slipping there should be no difference in performance.

One way to determine if your clutch is slipping is to do the following test.

Drive the car at 3000 RPM in 3rd gear at a steady speed. Floor the gas. Then stab and RELEASE the clutch pedal imediately. The engine RPM will flare up ( 4000-4500) briefly. The engine should come back down to the correct RPM for the speed you are going within 2 seconds. If it does not, replace your clutch. A clutch that is near the end of its life will allow the RPMs to stay high or will take 3+ seconds to bring the engine back down.

I replaced the clutch on my 96 M3 with 112K miles recently. It was not slipping but I do a number of driving schools and autocrosses each year and wanted to do it on my timeframe vs. being stranded . The only difference I have noticed is that the pedal is easier to push in. There was a lot of dust, old grease etc that I cleaned out during the clutch job. So I am assuming that was the cause or possibly the pressure plate was getting hard to actuate.

While you are in there:
a) consider installing a lightwt flywheel -- you will be glad you did.
b) consider replacing the rear main seal
c) inspect the flex disc at the rear of the trans

Good luck

Ken

[Cosmos96]

If your clutch is not slipping there should be no difference in performance.

One way to determine if your clutch is slipping is to do the following test.

Drive the car at 3000 RPM in 3rd gear at a steady speed. Floor the gas. Then stab and RELEASE the clutch pedal imediately. The engine RPM will flare up ( 4000-4500) briefly. The engine should come back down to the correct RPM for the speed you are going within 2 seconds. If it does not, replace your clutch. A clutch that is near the end of its life will allow the RPMs to stay high or will take 3+ seconds to bring the engine back down.

I replaced the clutch on my 96 M3 with 112K miles recently. It was not slipping but I do a number of driving schools and autocrosses each year and wanted to do it on my timeframe vs. being stranded . The only difference I have noticed is that the pedal is easier to push in. There was a lot of dust, old grease etc that I cleaned out during the clutch job. So I am assuming that was the cause or possibly the pressure plate was getting hard to actuate.

While you are in there:
a) consider installing a lightwt flywheel -- you will be glad you did.
b) consider replacing the rear main seal
c) inspect the flex disc at the rear of the trans

Good luck

Ken



when you stab and release the clutch do you still have your gas floored?

[Armo95]

when you stab and release the clutch do you still have your gas floored?

That's a good test, but here's an easier one:

Go to a hill and don't go faster than say, 20mph. Put the car in 4th gear and floor the car, if the RPM shoot up faster than you accelerate, your clutch is slipping...this will be the best indication that it's starting to slip. Then see how long it takes to bring the tach needle back down.

--

[rommelrules]

If your clutch is not slipping there should be no difference in performance.

While you are in there:
a) consider installing a lightwt flywheel -- you will be glad you did.
b) consider replacing the rear main seal
c) inspect the flex disc at the rear of the trans


Thanks, Ken. I figured as much.

Suggestions a) and b) are already guaranteed to happen when I replace my clutch, whenever that happens.
My clutch pedal has become somewhat unbearable as far as stiffness. But I don't have to deal with rush hour traffic anymore,
so I can live with it for now. As far as the test, the clutch performs like a brand new clutch.
Honestly, I don't see why it wouldn't last another 100K... :95 And I don't baby it at all.

I guess if performance is not being affected and is not an issue, I'll spend my maintenance money elsewhere...
Maybe after eight years it's time for a CAI/HFM combo-- but wait, that isn't maintenance money... :devillook

[rommelrules]

That's a good test, but here's an easier one:

Go to a hill and don't go faster than say, 20mph. Put the car in 4th gear and floor the car, if the RPM shoot up faster than you accelerate, your clutch is slipping...this will be the best indication that it's starting to slip. Then see how long it takes to bring the tach needle back down.

--

Yup, tried this one more than once before-- I live at the top of a hill.
All I get is horrible pinging and the RPM's stay flat. No slipping whatsoever.

Of course, it could be that my car simply has no torque but that's another story... It is a pretty steep hill, though.

[GEN3RIC]

The only performance hit you will take is from a slipping clutch, if it doesn't slip it is operating at optimum performance.

[GG///M3]

maybe your vano's is going, that could be your performance problem.

[POPS M3]

when you stab and release the clutch do you still have your gas floored?

Yes, the gas stays floored during the entire test. That why it is important to stab and release immediately. The engine rpm wil flare up some and when the clutch is released it drags the engine back down to the correct rpm for the speed the car is going. If the clutch cannot bring the rpm down quickly, then it is slipping and marginal which means that it is time to replace.

Ken

[mace]

It could be your fuel filter is clogged. When was the last time you replaced your fuel filter?

[oraph]

Currently, I have 190K miles on my original clutch and it does not show any symptoms of slipping at all.
At least not the obvious telltale signs... I have driven cars with slipping clutches, so I know what a slipping clutch is.

However, it seems like my car is kind of flat performance wise--
that is, the revs climb but the car is not picking up steam like it used to do.

What you all think?

hmm.... 190k on the clock could have something to do w your perf problems.. these engines do get tired like all others