BMW 135i 2009 Clutch Options

[borikangel]

I'm making some research with a friend about what kind of clutch i can install in my car. First of all I started by asking to my friends what kind of clutch are using in their cars, how is for daily use and how good it is. Many of them are using ACT for economic and quality. One of the is using SPEC for daily use, drifting, drag and circuit race and his feedback is good. I gave the task of writing to various companies and gave them these specification: daily use car, some drag racing, 439rwhp and 500rwhq in dyno jet. Later on I will install NOS so I will add another 100hp. These were their responses:

1. ACT:

http://www2.advancedclutch.com/produ...d_id=8916#8916





Thank you for your email an interest in ACT’s product. Unfortunately at this time we do not have any kits that will hold the amount of torque you are producing with your vehicle. The highest rated clutch we offer for that is rated at 540 ft/lbs at the crank, which is approximately 445 at the wheels.

Part number: BM8-HDR6

Specification from ACT:

Heavy Duty Pressure Plate
Clamps load increase of 20% to 50%, Pedal feels stock to moderate, Many SFI Certified to insure safety.

Solid Hub (6 Pad) Disc
Increased torque capacity, Faster shifts, reduced inertia, Very good durability but shortened spline life, Absorbs more heat than 4 pad, Harsh engagement, some chatter. Not recommended for street use.

$620.69

2. HPF:

http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/part..._Feramic/18375



We don’t recommend the Feramic clutch if you will be drag racing… We have seen certain drivers weld the clutch to the flywheel in the burnout box if the clutch is ridden for to long as it will heat up and cool really fast.

It depends on what type of clutch you want… ACT and Clutchmasters both make good clutches for your vehicle but the engagement is really harsh and much like an on/off switch for driving.

http://www2.advancedclutch.com/14431...54B30A%29.html
Anything others than the Street Disc will chatter and engage like an on/off switch…

http://clutchmasters.com/shop/?page=...D=21&AppID=517
This would be the next best step… But they do not give Torque or HP ratings.. Just say it holds 110% over stock which is a little more than twice what stock is.

Specification from HPF:

Want the best daily driveable, slippable high horsepower holding clutch for your 335i? You've come to the right place. Our stage 1 clutches run our proven feramic material that not only allows you to drive your car every day without getting a sore leg, but also allow you to take it to the track and lay down some serious numbers.

Our stage 1 335i clutch kit includes the following:

HPF Stage 1 Feramic Clutch Features:

HPF Feramic full face clutch disk (Melting point 1600 degrees F)
HPF High Performance SRE pressure plate (w/stronger straps than OEM)
Pressure Plate Clamp Load: Factory 1800 lbs, HPF 2300 lbs (STG1), 2500 lbs (STG2), 2680 lbs (STG3)
Stage 1 - Power Handling Capability: 600 rwhp, 550 ft-lbs
Stage 2 - Power Handling Capability: 750 rwhp, 625 ft-lbs
Stage 3 - Power Handling Capability: 900 rwhp, 700 ft-lbs
Engagement: Smooth as butter

$1,199.99

Nice/good help from HPF. Thx!

3. SPEC:

http://www.specclutch.com/cars/BMW/135/2009/Single

http://www.specclutch.com/products



I highly recommend the stage 3+ clutch, as well as our single piece flywheel if within your budget. The stock flywheel is not serviceable and we have seen them break at 500 tq.

From SPEC to my friend:

I highly recommend the st3+ clutch. However, it is suspect for the stock flywheel to take that power and provide a good clutch surface for an extended period. It may or may not!

Part number:
SB533F

Specification from SPEC:

Types of Driving:
Street, Drag, Pulling, Autocross

The flagship stage for a high powered street or race car that requires a manageable and friendly engagement, the stage 3+ features a carbon semi-metallic full faced material that offers unparalleled life, friction co-efficient and drivability characteristics in one single package. The hub is double sprung with spring cover relieves for flexibility and heat treated components for strength and durability. Great for street, drag, drift, autocross, road racing, pulling, rallye and drift.

High clamp pressure plate
Carbon semi-metallic friction material
High torque sprung hub and disc assembly
Bearing and tool kit

These clutch kits are designed for use with the original dual mass flywheel. For even higher performance levels and more linear pedal feel (our non-SAC Cup kit with flywheel), see the '-2' part numbered kits in this listing.

$949

4. Clutch Masters:

http://clutchmasters.com/shop/?page=...D=21&AppID=519



I would recommend the FX400 either 6 puck or 8- puck. The amount of power you are making and the 100 shot you plan to use then a ceramic material is the way to go!

If you plan to abuse this vehicle on a frequent basis then I would recommend the 6-puck since it has a higher holding capacity.

If this is your daily drive and will rarely be abused then I would recommend the 8-puck.

Part number:
6-puck - 03055-HDC6-R

8-puck - 03055-HDBL-R

Specification from Clutch Masters:

FX400 (Stage IV)

· Ultra heavy-duty street &racing system
· Holding capacity 170% over stock
· Heavy-Duty reinforced pressure plate
· Hi-Leverage™ pressure ring design
· Sprung hub/4-button
· Ceramic friction material
· SFI Approved on most race applications. All Clutch Masters clutch kits come complete with:

Pressure Plate
Clutch Disc
Throw-out Bearing (when applicable)
Pilot Bearing or Bushing (when applicable)
Alignment Tool

$845.00

I´m between Clutch Masters and SPEC. Clutch Master is less expensive and SPEC don´t come with the Throw-out Bearing/Pilot Bearing or Bushing.

[John Dempsey]

I also need a new clutch mine is starting to slip so im interested to see what they say!!

[splitsecond]

I hope this doesn't feel like a threadjack - but how many miles did your stock clutch last?

[borikangel]

27k

[Stohlen]

I have had bad experiences with Spec, not to mention there customer service is god awful.

[fs454]

Originally Posted by borikangel

27k

Were you hard on it? That's crazy low for a worn clutch.

[Lambobimmer]

I went with the Spec 2+ for the stock DMFW. I have not installed it yet but I would suggest not going with the light weight FW unless you want a lot of chatter and drivetrain feedback. Shiv at Vishnu uses the Spec 2+ clutch and on his single turbo setup so it will hold significantly more torque than is advertised. Never buy more clutch than you need.

I wanted a clutch that would hold up to 500tq with stock like engagement so that is why I picked the Spec 2+ clutch.

I bought mine from Ultra Rev http://www.ultrarev.com/sb533h.html which you can pickup for about $650 using their "SPEC" coupon code.

I plan on resurfacing my flywheel but you can get an OEM flywheel for $570 at ECS Tuning http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E93-335...245/ES2580762/

Hope this helps.

BTW, I have 40k on my stock clutch and it will not hold the the Cobb E85 race map. It will slip pretty bad in 3rd gear. I have a FBO setup.

However, my stock clutch rarely slips using the Cobb Stage 2 agressive map.

[DRedman45]

I don't have any experience with this specific platform, but i can tell you from experience, the pucked clutches, act and cm, will be a much more unforgiving clutch for daily use...A full faced clutch will be more DD friendly....I'm not sure they have anything for bmw's, but southbend makes a "silent" design for my current(mk6) application that I currently am using, and it is very very quiet for a single mass flywheel clutch.

[Colt]

Originally Posted by lamboworld

I bought mine from Ultra Rev http://www.ultrarev.com/sb533h.html which you can pickup for about $650 using their "SPEC" coupon code.

I plan on resurfacing my flywheel but you can get an OEM flywheel for $570 at ECS Tuning http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E93-335...245/ES2580762/

Hope this helps.

Good info - thanks for the links that seems like a good clutch. Let us know when you get it installed, I'm curious about the drive ability and clutch feel

[borikangel]

Good info.

Thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by lamboworld

I went with the Spec 2+ for the stock DMFW. I have not installed it yet but I would suggest not going with the light weight FW unless you want a lot of chatter and drivetrain feedback. Shiv at Vishnu uses the Spec 2+ clutch and on his single turbo setup so it will hold significantly more torque than is advertised. Never buy more clutch than you need.

I wanted a clutch that would hold up to 500tq with stock like engagement so that is why I picked the Spec 2+ clutch.

I bought mine from Ultra Rev http://www.ultrarev.com/sb533h.html which you can pickup for about $650 using their "SPEC" coupon code.

I plan on resurfacing my flywheel but you can get an OEM flywheel for $570 at ECS Tuning http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E93-335...245/ES2580762/

Hope this helps.

BTW, I have 40k on my stock clutch and it will not hold the the Cobb E85 race map. It will slip pretty bad in 3rd gear. I have a FBO setup.

However, my stock clutch rarely slips using the Cobb Stage 2 agressive map.

[chefsache]

Originally Posted by John Dempsey

I also need a new clutch mine is starting to slip so im interested to see what they say!!

Hey, how much torque you have to transmit?

[borikangel]

This weekend I will install the clutch. More review later on.

[Lambobimmer]

I will have my car back next week. Spec 2+ and Quaife being installed.

[borikangel]

Clutch installed. Wrong alignment tool so I modified it. Feel like OEM but better and easy going. Now 500mile break-in. Later on I will post some pics.

[lastMleft]

Originally Posted by borikangel

Clutch installed. Wrong alignment tool so I modified it. Feel like OEM but better and easy going. Now 500mile break-in. Later on I will post some pics.

What was the cost?

[Boosted_N54]

how can you tell if your clutch is slipping or time to replace???

[borikangel]

Cost: ~$860.00
Slipped:No
Time: We took around 3 days slowly and handle with care on what we do.
Difficult: Extreme *******
Partner for help: Recommended
Lift: Recommended but I did at home with my four jack stand and regular profile jack not low profile.

I replaced too:

1. BMS Short Throw Clutch Stop
2. BMS Modified BMW Clutch Valve

Difficult:
1. The pilot shaft bearing difficult to change in the transmission.
2. The two upper bolt [(1)-Transmission, (1)-starter].
3. Wrong alignment tool or bad design so I modified it.

Clean with carburetor cleaner flywheel, clutch and pressure plate.

After break-in We will set up a new custom map for N2O and ready for the Puerto Rico Half Mile on December 1, 2012!!!!

[borikangel]

My review after 780 miles break in:

Rating: * * * * * 5/5
Feel better than OEM and smooth.
We made a Custom Map (109oct + Meth + FBO + N2O) and hold 521hp and 561tq.

Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=93maduo5T4A

Now ready for the Puerto Rico Half Mile on December 1st, 2012.

Thanks a lot