help with clutch and flywheel setup

[haaken675]

Hey guys. I am trying to figure out the clutch and flywheel combo for my m52b28 going into my e30 using the stock g260 gearbox. If I use an e36 clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel, do I use the e30 or e36 starter? would it be better to use an e30 clutch and flywheel?

[mjweimer]

haaken675 - from what I have read the starter must always match the flywheel.

I do not yet have any first hand experience trying an E36 starter with an E30 flywheel or vice-versa to check the dimensional differences. I would assume the position of the ring gear on the flywheel and the "throw" of the starter pinion are different.

I am planning to run the M20 flywheel with the M20 starter on my G260/M52 for two reasons:

1) M20 flywheel is single mass
2) My donor car was an automatic and I see no benefit to sourcing the E36 part


MJ

[haaken675]

I ordered an fix stage 1 clutch and lightweight flywheel combo from amazon. I figured I should change the clutch regardless, so hopefully it wasn't a wasteful byy then. This is probably going to sound like a real dumb question, but the starter is mounted to the transmission, correct? I'm thinking I need to order the e36 starter now as well.

[mjweimer]

The starter is mounted to the engine block. You should be able to find a good used starter at a junkyard or online.

[mtech325]

The starter has to match clutch flywheel setup. If you use an m20 flywheel/clutch, then use the m20 starter, and an e36 flywheel/clutch setup would require an e36 starter.

If you haven't pulled the trigger on any parts yet, I'd say do the m20 setup to keep things simple, just get the m20 flywheel machined on the back side to clear the e34 pan (it'll weigh about 16 lbs when you're done, which is lighter than stock but still quiet for a street car). A stock m20 clutch holds up to an m50 fine, but the m52 can make good power with a few mods, so it might be wise to get a sportier clutch like Clutch Masters or Spec.

[haaken675]

cool. I bought an fx stage 1 organic clutch and lightweight flywheel for an e36. I really didn't want to have to deal with machining since I don't know anyone locally that could do it. I just kept finding conflicting info on what to use.

Also, couldn't remember if the starter was attached to the block or the trans...(pretty dumb, I know). Hopefully the engine I bought has the starter sill and I can test it...One less piece to buy.

[AndrewBird]

The starter mounts to the transmission, not the block.

[haaken675]

The starter mounts to the transmission, not the block.

haha, that's what I thought. just been so busy and scatter brained lately with work.

[mjweimer]

Yes - starter mounts to transmission - my bad.

I have M10 engines on the brain at the moment and those starters mount to the block...