Need a clutch

[e36328is]

Hey guys, its time for a new one. Right now im running a Spec Stage3 on an M3 flywheel. Just trying to get some suggestions. I called UUC today from some prices, but i really don't know where else to go.

Thanks,
Jusitn

[ParadigmGuy]

What's the power goal? Daily driver? Drag strip? Road Race?

[e36328is]

right now its a daily, im looking to be getting a new job which would let me buy a DD. right now its probably close to 350, 360rwhp, but i am doing the top mount, so im not sure if i will gain from that alone. goal is something like 400 probably for now

[ritoab]

I thought Spec Stage 3 clutch was design to handle 1k lbs of torque so i don't have a clue why you would be upgrading. My Spec Stage 3 +clutch handles that as well plus daily driving comfort.

[e36328is]

Its slipping for some reason. 4th gear wot it started to slip at ~16psi. as soon as the wastegate opened, it went.

[MRMARSH]

spec clutches have a history of different results on the same application...

[ritoab]

maybe you could have something resurfaced because only 400lbs of torque is not even close to max torque specs I would also be calling Spec to ask why the 1000ft lb toque clutch is not doing what it's suppose to be doing.

[jfdmas]

im runnin a clutchnet.com red racing clutch at 15psi. I have zero slipping and it cost $550bucs. They warned me it was NOT streetable but im not having many issues at all. just building up a strong left leg.lol

[e36328is]

. just building up a strong left leg.lol

Tell me about it...

What i really need to do is have someone else drive the car and make sure thats the problem.
Just for reference, i cant get the wheels to spin except when its wet, im guessingthats clutch slipping

[ritoab]

so you think because the wheels are not spinnin that the clutch is bad. LOL

I never have tire spin but off the line at the track and sometimes the thing want spin when its wet but that does not mean the clutch is bad.

[bmwperson]

spec clutches are garbage. I know of at least 4 cars local that the pressure plate collapsed causing the clutch not to disengage; always the same issues and always spec says its abused even on my 1k mileage engine break in...

[e36328is]

so you think because the wheels are not spinnin that the clutch is bad. LOL

I never have tire spin but off the line at the track and sometimes the thing want spin when its wet but that does not mean the clutch is bad.


um, i also said it slipped in 4th gear under boost...

[ritoab]

spec clutches are garbage. I know of at least 4 cars local that the pressure plate collapsed causing the clutch not to disengage; always the same issues and always spec says its abused even on my 1k mileage engine break in...

that may have something to do with them upgrading their clutch most recently. Who knows

[e36328is]

spec clutches are garbage. I know of at least 4 cars local that the pressure plate collapsed causing the clutch not to disengage; always the same issues and always spec says its abused even on my 1k mileage engine break in...

well i got the car with the clutch on it, so im lookng to repalce it with something better

[ritoab]

um, i also said it slipped in 4th gear under boost...
I am am not knocking on you but i never heard that before.
If you say your clutch is slipping then it's slipping.

So what are you thinking about going with next.

[e36328is]

well i called UUC and they priced me a clutch that was specifically for FI cars, to fit my M3 flywheel. it was like $635. im not going to go off and buy it right now, but thats why im here to ask whats good, you know?

[e36'n]

I thought Spec Stage 3 clutch was design to handle 1k lbs of torque so i don't have a clue why you would be upgrading. My Spec Stage 3 +clutch handles that as well plus daily driving comfort.

A recent email from Spec informed me that the stage 2+ and stage 3 are designed to handle "310 and 360 ft lbs at the wheels" and the "st3+ will hold 450-500 ft lbs tq in a full weight car."

I also asked them about not honoring their warranty and bad reputation and their reply was:


You have probably only heard that from those who had contamination or install issues…we do not tae responsibility form install errors or fluid leaks. If it is fault of the clutch, we take care of it. If it is not, we won’t. That’s fair, right ? We are the only clutch company that does not attach a time period to the diagnosis....


....Happens all the time. Discs installed backwards, flywheels not resurfaced, rear main seals seaping onto the clutch (and then getting burned off, so there is no visible leak onto the ground), popped slaves, backed out bolts because the torque values were not looked up, destroyed pilot bearings (whcih causes springs to pop out of the disc) because it's "a pain" to spend an extra 30 mintues to installt he PROVIDED new pilot brg.. It's amazing. But if we did not make a good BMW product, we woud not sell 300 units a month. Fewer talk about their good experiences, too. On a BMW, as long as you resurface or replace the flywheel and follow OE installation instructions, you'll have a trouble free clutch experience. $466.


The st3+ is the longest wearing performance clutch on the market. The life all depends on how much you ride it and your flywheel surface, but the range is 20-30K or so on a bad flywheel, to 50-60 on a good flywheel with bad driving habits, to 100K on a good flywheel and not riding it. The warranty is diagnosis based, no time limit. If it breaks due to a defect within the initial wear life, you get a replacement part. All you have to do is make sure your flywheel surface is machined properly and break the unit in like any other performance clutch.

I still wasn't convinced to spend that money and went with a used M3 clutch disc, pressure plate and flywheel for under $200 shipped.

[e36328is]

well i dynoed my car at 330 rwhp/330tq and that was on my OLD T3/T4 so im just going to guess im over that

[ritoab]

This is the clutch i have but for BMWs.
http://www.specclutch.com/

[ritoab]

A recent email from Spec informed me that the stage 2+ and stage 3 are designed to handle "310 and 360 ft lbs at the wheels" and the "st3+ will hold 450-500 ft lbs tq in a full weight car."

I also asked them about not honoring their warranty and bad reputation and their reply was:







I still wasn't convinced to spend that money and went with a used M3 clutch disc, pressure plate and flywheel for under $200 shipped.

Did you talk to Danny or someone else?

I just got mine a few weeks ago and My ratings where based on the super twin clutch

[ritoab]

The other thing is they knew when i ordered the clutch that i needed a clutch that could handle well over 700-800 ft lbs of torque.

[bmwperson]

I ordered one that was supposed to handle 700-800tq and all it was is stage 3+

UUC is very good, I'd go with Rob anyday.

[e36'n]

Did you talk to Danny or someone else?

Talked with David.


The other thing is they knew when i ordered the clutch that i needed a clutch that could handle well over 700-800 ft lbs of torque.

700-800ft-lbs of torque on a Stage 3+? That I cannot believe at all.

[camshaft]

I have an AA sitting in my garage. Haven't installed it yet to give an opinion, but since you asked about other options I mentioned it.

Austin

[ritoab]

Well i will be installing the thing this week so i will see if they are for real.
If them basters screwed me i am going to be pissed. I have been waiting for 6 months to be able to put all my power down and the stock clutch did not do the job.

Another point we might add is when you ordered the clutch did you even buy a flywheel? Most don't know but you have to do both if you want Spec to warrent their product. Also when i ordered i ordered over the phone and ask specific questions and gave them specifics of what i wanted to do

[ritoab]

Talked with David.



700-800ft-lbs of torque on a Stage 3+? That I cannot believe at all.


David might be the name but even on the link i gave you the super twin clutch says 1300-1500 ft lbs of torque

[hmsM3]

spec clutches are garbage. I know of at least 4 cars local that the pressure plate collapsed causing the clutch not to disengage; always the same issues and always spec says its abused even on my 1k mileage engine break in...
100% agree i so regret ever buying a spec clutch. it holds 550 ft. lb tq btw. clutch itself is good but the pressure plate are junk. read and listen to my thread http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=794603

[ParadigmGuy]

SPEC clutches not only will not holder their rated power, they often fall apart. My slipped, it was not due to install error. We pulled the clutch out, it looked great, it just couldn't hold the rated power.

UUC makes excellent clutches. If Rob made a suggestion to you, it would be the right choice. Another option is ClutchMasters. I'm running a CM FX700 in my daily driver and a UUC Cerametallic in my Shop M3.

Both are excellent clutches. The UUC clutch is MUCH more street friendly, but the CM is designed to take the abuse of drag racing.

[hmsM3]

SPEC clutches not only will not holder their rated power, they often fall apart. My slipped, it was not due to install error. We pulled the clutch out, it looked great, it just couldn't hold the rated power.

UUC makes excellent clutches. If Rob made a suggestion to you, it would be the right choice. Another option is ClutchMasters. I'm running a CM FX700 in my daily driver and a UUC Cerametallic in my Shop M3.

Both are excellent clutches. The UUC clutch is MUCH more street friendly, but the CM is designed to take the abuse of drag racing.
uuc cerametallic is definately what i'll be going with

[e36328is]

well i called and told him i had FI car, they gave me a name of clutch, honestly i forget it by now. I DO have a stock M3 flywheel though, he said it was a M3 flywheel specific clutch....

[e36'n]

David might be the name but even on the link i gave you the super twin clutch says 1300-1500 ft lbs of torque

You said you had a Spec Stage 3+, not a super twin clutch? :confused

[ritoab]

SPEC clutches not only will not holder their rated power, they often fall apart. My slipped, it was not due to install error. We pulled the clutch out, it looked great, it just couldn't hold the rated power.

UUC makes excellent clutches. If Rob made a suggestion to you, it would be the right choice. Another option is ClutchMasters. I'm running a CM FX700 in my daily driver and a UUC Cerametallic in my Shop M3.

Both are excellent clutches. The UUC clutch is MUCH more street friendly, but the CM is designed to take the abuse of drag racing.

I went with the company that would provide a clutch for my late model 530i but now i am hearing these bad reports i am getting a little worried.

I have heard great things about the UUC product so that might be a good choice.

[ritoab]

You said you had a Spec Stage 3+, not a super twin clutch? :confused

Its the same thing would you like to see photos. They come in four levels and i believe that's what the website says.

[hmsM3]

the stage 3+ is NOT a twin disc just a stage 3 with a diff clutch material

[ParadigmGuy]

Its the same thing would you like to see photos. They come in four levels and i believe that's what the website says.
This is a twin disk SPEC clutch. Is this what yours looks like?

http://www.specclutch.com/images/homepage/phpJPpckZ.jpg

[ritoab]

just looked at it a gain and i confirm i only have the stage 3+ kit But it looks like that

[topshotta02]

ive been told by a very fast dude that clutchmasters have a dual disc for the M3 that drives like a street clutch with stock pedal effort

and i doubt anyone here is going to slip a dual disc

[ParadigmGuy]

ive been told by a very fast dude that clutchmasters have a dual disc for the M3 that drives like a street clutch with stock pedal effort

and i doubt anyone here is going to slip a dual disc
You were misinformed.

[topshotta02]

You were misinformed.

you might want to check the clutchmasters catalog before you speak

both fx600 and fx700 are available

[ParadigmGuy]

you might want to check the clutchmasters catalog before you speak

both fx600 and fx700 are available
I'm running an FX700 in my daily driver and am a CM dealer. I'm fairly familiar with their products.

Although the FX600 is more streetable than the FX700, it does not drive like a street clutch with stock pedal effort.

[topshotta02]

oh, lol

i though u meant i was misinformed about the product even existing

im sure its not exactly like stock, but compared to a single disc its gotta be better
you can only increase pressure plate force on a single disc so much before the pedal gets so stiff u lift yourself outta the seat trying to get it to the floor

[ParadigmGuy]

oh, lol

i though u meant i was misinformed about the product even existing

im sure its not exactly like stock, but compared to a single disc its gotta be better
you can only increase pressure plate force on a single disc so much before the pedal gets so stiff u lift yourself outta the seat trying to get it to the floor
Then that should have been what you posted.

FWIW, the UUC Cerametallic is more streetable.

[fritzintn]

edit - clutch sold.

[jamessil]

Does anyone know how to get in contact with ROB from UUC besides telephone , IM from AUS its a bit hard with time difference

[a32guy]

Blatent plug: I have a brand new UUC Ultrasmooth Cerametallic clutch that I won't be using. $600 shipped (Paid ~$700shipped).

Would that work in a 95 M3? For some reason 95 and 96-99's have different part numbers, and also how about with a stock flywheel?

[fritzintn]

Would that work in a 95 M3? For some reason 95 and 96-99's have different part numbers, and also how about with a stock flywheel?

This was ordered for a '95 with a stock flywheel (to replace my slipping e34 m5 clutch and lwt flywheel setup)....

I'm unsure as to what the differences are between the 95 and 96+ clutch packages (I too noticed they were difference part numbers in the ETK/elsewhere), but I put a 99 clutch in my other car without incident. :shrug:

[ParadigmGuy]

Does anyone know how to get in contact with ROB from UUC besides telephone , IM from AUS its a bit hard with time difference
rob@shortshifter.com

[jamessil]

yea iv tried that and no reply, whats the address maybe i can get the dialing code and try ringing from here?

[rt turbo]

you might want to check the clutchmasters catalog before you speak

both fx600 and fx700 are available


I'm running an FX700 in my daily driver and am a CM dealer. I'm fairly familiar with their products.

Although the FX600 is more streetable than the FX700, it does not drive like a street clutch with stock pedal effort.
owned:lol