[HOW TO] e46m3 6-speed your e30

[Wanganstyle]

My twin turbo clutch had 22 splines.


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[e30austin]

Hey guys, having a clutch issue here that I would like to get to the bottom of.

Car is an '88 touring with an OBD1 S52, E46 M3 Valeo dual mass flywheel, E46 M3 sachs clutch, pressure plate, pilot bearing, throw out bearing and G420 trans. We used all new parts for everything. Master cylinder is stock e30 and slave cylinder is for a e36 325i manual.

Simply, the clutch feels like fucking shit. Shit tons of free play and minimal engagement at the bottom of the pedal. Theres no air in the system anywhere. We've bled it 20+ times, reverse bled it and used a pressure bleeder at 12 psi and it didn't lose any pressure.

I'm at a loss of what to do. I know people have complained about the slave pedal feel. What do you recommend I do at this point? I almost think the slave isnt making very good contact, but really have no idea.

Thanks.

[frantic]

^ +1

I am using a 420G, with a E46 M3 Flywheel / clutch and E36 325i Slave, E30 MC. The biting point is about 1/4 up from the floor. Just doesn't feel right.

I'm thinking I'd either have to look at a longer slave cylinder push rod, or a longer throwout bearing.

Anyone ever compare e46 m3 and e36 325i slave cylinders side by side for lengths?

*Edit never mind scrolled up, So the rod is shorter...hmmmm.

[jph]

Also in for answers as I am about to swap in an S52 with G420. Was under the impression any slave cylinder with a rod longer than the E36 325i would not allow the clutch to fully engage but it seems like the shorter rod length of the 325i slave cylinder could be in question here.

[e30austin]

^ +1

I am using a 420G, with a E46 M3 Flywheel / clutch and E36 325i Slave, E30 MC. The biting point is about 1/4 up from the floor. Just doesn't feel right.

I'm thinking I'd either have to look at a longer slave cylinder push rod, or a longer throwout bearing.

Anyone ever compare e46 m3 and e36 325i slave cylinders side by side for lengths?

*Edit never mind scrolled up, So the rod is shorter...hmmmm.

So, perhaps we should give the E46 M3 slave cylinder a try?

[frantic]

I think the main reason you couldn't was because the clutch line uses a different fitting on the E46 M3 one. It could be as simple as comparing rod length between them as the actual slave itself looks very much the same length.

I'm just checking with a local wrecker who will hopefully have both and could compare. That 1/8th difference (3.1mm), might just be the difference it needs.

[TheRealE30kidd]

So, perhaps we should give the E46 M3 slave cylinder a try?

Tried swapping rod in the E46 slave with the E36 and still the same problem 90% free play until clutch engages.

[e30austin]

Does anyone know the difference between a release bearing for an M50 E36 and an E46 S54 M3? The previous owner of this set up doesn't know a goddamn thing about it, but after the fact, he mentions that he used an "m50 throwout bearing". I wonder if there is a depth difference...

[e30austin]

"About ready to throw all the E46 6-speed stuff in the fucking garbage" bump. Giving it til next week before I say fuck it and just install a G260.

[LJ851]

Hydraulic clutch systems without a return spring at the throwout arm like bmw uses are self adjusting. You should not be able to have a bunch of free play unless

A) you have a bunch of mechanical freeplay between the pedal pushrod and master cylinder (easy to check)

B) you have a slave cylinder that is too large compared to the master cylinder. This doesn't really have actual freeplay but a full stroke of the clutch pedal won't move the slave very far and the clutch will barely disengage and engage close to the floor. The pedal will also be light and easy to push.

[diesekte]

Guys...already have a 420g installed in my car with the proper UUC clutch flywheel combo. I can NOT locate 25112227893. It's nla apparently and no one has any left. What can I use instead, or does someone have a spare?

[frantic]

You will have to get a short shift kit, Euro E36 M3 Evo 6 speed. UUC and Rogue Engineering do them.

[jph]

Guys...already have a 420g installed in my car with the proper UUC clutch flywheel combo. I can NOT locate 25112227893. It's nla apparently and no one has any left. What can I use instead, or does someone have a spare?

Can you use the E46 M3 shift carrier instead? It's still available and costs $27 at ECS Tuning.

[diesekte]

No, e46 m3 shift carrier is too long. I tried to cut the back and when in position, the circular part the shifter goes through is spaced too far back compared to the hole in the trans tunnel.
I found one on ebay that's actually local to me

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371513266517?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It works...looks fine, decent craftsmanship. Figured I'd give it a try bc I am way over budget and I can't drop $330 or so on a short shifter. Only issue is its quite a bit taller than I like. I had a z4m shifter which was super short and I loved it.

Does anyway know the part number and length for the e36 m3 auto driveshaft that I need? I bought one from ebay and it is 51". Seems to be about 2 inches or more shorter than I need.

[diesekte]

What's the final word on slave cylinder?
I had one from an e36 328 and it was too long (rod about 6.5cm) and wouldn't let the clutch disengage. I then put another one I had (not sure what it is from...E36 325 or e36 m3 or maybe z3) the shaft is 5.5cm long, and it feels like shit. Is there maybe a 6 cm long shaft slave, or any reason to not use the e46 m3 slave with the e46 m3 clutch line? The part where the clutch attaches to master seems to be the same fitting