S52 n/a Flywheel - Clutch Setup

[Fernflex]

Hello,

Currently I have the blue UUC Flywheel I think it weights around 11-13 pounds and the M5 Clutch kit. I don't use my car very often but I do drive to the track and go back and I am in the need of doing an upgrade because it looks like the clutch is not holding the power. (250-260whp)

1. Can I use any other clutch/pressure plate kit for example the F1 Racing stage 2 or 3 clutch kit with the UUUC flywheel?

2. Should I just buy a new M5 clutch kit.

3. Buy a new F1 Racing Flywheel clutch kit from Ebay and sell the Uuc flywheel?

My mechanic says the flywheel looks good, I know UUC sells the new friction disc to reuse the old flywheel.

Any advice?

[Lodsin]

Nevertheless, for long-term durability under a variety of conditions, we recommend the OEM M5 clutch for applications up to approximately 350hp.

Per a thread by UUC.

[matthugie]

Yeah, the M5 clutch should be fine for your power applications. I would just replace that, and the new friction surface isn't too expensive if you need to replace that as well.

[Fernflex]

So I have to go exactly with a oem M5 kit, so far what I have found they are more expensive than the F1 racing.

[MyE30]

you mentioned that your "clutch is not holding the power". what are the symptoms that make you feel that way?

are you sure you're not granny shifting and double clutching like you should?

[nrubenstein]

An M5 clutch should have no issues whatsoever holding that power.

[Fernflex]

I need a new clutch/pp is already worn out and I was thinking of changing the UUc flywheel because so many people has told me that they are problematic.

And I have heard good things about the ebay F1 that cost less than a M5 clutch kit.

Im looking for the new bolts and gall plate.

[RobertK]

The F1 chromoly is a good flywheel but avoid their sprung clutch discs. So far I've seen 2 crap out in less than a year due to failed spring retainers.

[Fernflex]

The F1 chromoly is a good flywheel but avoid their sprung clutch discs. So far I've seen 2 crap out in less than a year due to failed spring retainers.

Maybe I should go with this one, heard so many bad things about my flywheel.

http://bit.ly/1a1RB4Y

[nando]

if your flywheel isn't causing you issues why would you replace it just because people on the internet say so?

[digger]

anyone use the organic performance (i.e. one step above OEM)?

[RobertK]

Maybe I should go with this one, heard so many bad things about my flywheel.

http://bit.ly/1a1RB4Y

That's a good kit to go with if everything is Sachs. Also, if you use the Best Offer option you can always get it for a few extra bucks.

if your flywheel isn't causing you issues why would you replace it just because people on the internet say so?

Honestly, the UUC Flywheel is not a good flywheel nor any flywheel under 16lbs for the longer stroked M5x/S5x engines.

I know many people locally that have had issues with it because it was engineered simply to be lightweight for faster revs but never took into account the harmonic balance of the longer stroked cranks in these engines.

Most of the time they usually have a lot of chatter and have horrid clutch engagement and / or eventually the harmonic imbalance fatigues the pressure plate to the point that it completely fails, twice I've seen them cause catastrophic pressure plate failures to the point that the straps broke and began to saw through a transmission bell housing.

Its not to say that they are unusable on engines with aggressive strokes but if you are going to use one its best to use on a built engine where the crankshaft, front crank dampening components / pulley, and flywheel are all rebalanced as a complete assembled unit by a professional.

I recommend the F1 chromoly flywheel because its has a good price point and weighs right in between the aluminum flywheel and the stock flywheel. Its also just heavy enough to not warrant an idle bump in your tune. It engages smooth, no chatter, and I've not heard of nor personally experienced a single issue with harmonics or pressure plate fatigue.

[digger]

ive used a S52 crank engine with 12-13lb fly and OEM m5 clutch no problems for 8years on a DD car. it was supposedly balanced with the entire bottom end assembly and i had to send everything off for that. not sure what they actually do. it still rattles at idle on occasions take up is nice but its not light enough....

[Fernflex]

Most of the time they usually have a lot of chatter and have horrid clutch engagement and / or eventually the harmonic imbalance fatigues the pressure plate to the point that it completely fails, twice I've seen them cause catastrophic pressure plate failures to the point that the straps broke and began to saw through a transmission bell housing.

Very similar to my problems.

Can the Sachs M3 clutch kit hold between 260-300whp?

[golde30]

For every UUC horror story, there are 10 guys who run it with no issue. I have had mine on for 2 years and taken long (1000 mile) drives without issue. Yes it chatters, yes I will open it up and retorque everything sinces it's been about 10k miles since install. But hot Damn does it make the engine rev happy, and grab like crazy.

I guess I just view those parts more as wear items than permanent fixtures. My e30 is purely for fun, so whatever makes it more fun is what I'm going to use.