m20 flywheel. zf trans. what starter do i need

[ogbimmer]

I have a m50 inside my e30. Its got a shaved and balanced m20 flywheel a 6 puck clutch and a 618 pp behind it. All this is inside a zf320 transmission. My question is what starter do i need? I put the m20 starter on it and it spun but didnt engage for some reason. Any help would he awesome. I took the starer off and it works perfect outside the car.

[evandael]

starter always gets paired with the flywheel.. so in your case, m20 starter. how much and where was the material removed on your flywheel?

[drumad]

you got the shim in between the tranny and block?

[ogbimmer]

Yes i have the shim in between the motor and trans. It seems like the teeth of the starter arent long enough to engage so its basically spinning above the flywheel. I was told to get a direct drive starter from a early eta. Anyone have had this problem before...

[ogbimmer]

starter always gets paired with the flywheel.. so in your case, m20 starter. how much and where was the material removed on your flywheel?

Already tried this but since its a zf320 trans i think it might sit higher.

[ForcedFirebird]

Don't know that an eta starter will help, it's the same tooth count and distance as the iS. I have swapped eta to iS and reverse and they work fine.

I have done a few m20 FW's in ZF's, m42's and 24v/g260 combos and never put the shim behind it, always shaved the rear main seal cover to clear the back FW, or used a shaved FW.

Curious to see what your solution is.

[scottinAZ]

using a Dual mass eta fly with my ZF and have no issues with an M20 starter. Also never heard of using a shim behind the flywheel. This is probably the root of your problems. Not enough extension on the bendix gear to grab more than the very tips of the flywheel teeth.

[drumad]

the shim I'm speaking of goes where the bellhousing meets the block

almost like a gasket

I dont remember how off hand but wire your starter so it kicks the gear out only and not spin. Engage it then finger around there and feel around and see whats up.

Mmmm, fingering around.

[ForcedFirebird]

the shim I'm speaking of goes where the bellhousing meets the block

almost like a gasket

I dont remember how off hand but wire your starter so it kicks the gear out only and not spin. Engage it then finger around there and feel around and see whats up.

Mmmm, fingering around.

Oh, thought you meant the ring that typically goes on after the FW. I have read that people put this behind the FW to get it away from the block.

I also have had 24v swaps come in the shop for a "locked" motor and it was because they used an m20 FW and it interferes with the 24v rear main seal housing.

[ogbimmer]

Hmm well this sucks d*ck but i guess i have to pull everything back out and figure this out. Either that of just say fuck it and quit lol. I guess i know what i have to do.

[Mossman]

When you test the starter is the gear springing out and spinning?

Just to be sure you're testing it correctly, you should ground the case, give 12v to the big post (13mm nut), and then touch with a screwdriver or something the big post to the middle post (10mm nut). That should simultaneously cause it to pop out and spin.

[ogbimmer]

Yeah i tested it right. Is there any m20 flywheel that has a smaller diameter flywheel?

[ogbimmer]

Don't know that an eta starter will help, it's the same tooth count and distance as the iS. I have swapped eta to iS and reverse and they work fine.

I have done a few m20 FW's in ZF's, m42's and 24v/g260 combos and never put the shim behind it, always shaved the rear main seal cover to clear the back FW, or used a shaved FW.

Curious to see what your solution is.

What about the 86 and 85 etas my friend was saying teeth go out basically 1/8" more. I really dont know how i am going to fix this problem.
would
1. Taking my m20 stater guts and putting it in a m50 starter fix anything?
2. Are there any ways to bring the starter down just alittle.
3. Changing to another flywheel fix it. Already paid good money for this setup but i need to fix the car asap.
I would almost like to offer 20 bucks to whoever helps me figure this out hmm

[FLG]

You could get a few mm's machined off the mounting surface of the m20 starter

[ogbimmer]

So the verdict is the zf320 transmission came out of a 528i and i am pretty sure the housing is bigger and only works with a 5 series flywheel and starter. Anyway i picked up a g260 for the fix. In closing nit all zf320s are the same!!! The 328 and m3 ones are the same. The 528 one has a bigger housing for the starter..