ZF320 to S54, what clutch, pressure plate, flywheel?

[A.J.]

I'm planning on using a ZF320 in my s54/e30 project and have a few questions...

1. What clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel do I need? ...e36, e46 M3?
2. What's the best clutch slave cylinder for this combo?
3. Will the stock ZF320 shift arm and linkages from a 328i or M3 bolt into an e30? If not what do I need?
4. Any other advice for the ZF320/S54 combo?

[Wanganstyle]

s54 = s52 =m50 as far as 24v swap/fit and transmission compatibility is concerned. even the accessories are all plug and play.

1.install the transmission just like native in its car with its original clutch set. zf Sg320 is a e36m part, so order the entire E36M/z3m s54 setup. This is just common plug and play parts (inexpensive)

2. best slave is the one that is spec'ed for the transmission: i.e. e36 M3 1996-1999.

3. this question is in the FAQ for 24v swap, so no need to answer.

4. S54 = same everything as far as fit as a M50. its not that exotic etc etc. Nothing special.

you can even bolt an S54 to a M20 G260, its just bolts up.


S54 = NOT SPECIAL. just install

[nrubenstein]

An E46 M3 clutch is not compatible, however.

[A.J.]

Thanks Wanganstyle & nrubenstein. So I need the e36 twin mass flywheel, right? The stock s54 one won't work? (sorry, dumb question, but I just want to make sure...)

[nrubenstein]

The Getrag 420 in E46 M3 form has a larger input shaft. An E36 clutch will work, although you need to be careful. E36 clutches are kind of weak and prone to blowing out the pressure plates.

[Wanganstyle]

the 6 speed pressure plate and flywheel can be used with the ZFsg320 transmission. both 5 and 6 speed usa e36m/46m use a 240mm dual mass standard setup.


the 5 speed has a different friction surface due to imput shaft differences in diameter to G420 6mt, so you would have to order a e36m compatible friction disc for the 5 speed to work. Obviously sprung, unsprung center is another issue if not using a dual mass fly.

[A.J.]

Given this info, I'm seriously considering going with UUC's Stage 2 lightweight flywheel with M5 clutch kit. It sounds like it'll be fine with the s54's power output. Here's some details:

"Because BMW speced this clutch for use on the powerful S38-series engine in the M5, it is up to the task of handling the output from a modified M50-series motor (all '92-'99 6-cylinder E36 3-series and M3, E34 525i, and Z3/MZ3)....

All kits come complete with Stage 2 flywheel, pressure plate, clutch disk, and throwout bearing.

applications:

M3, 328, 325, 323, 320 ( 1992-1999 E36 6-cylinder models)
M Roadster/Coupe (all including S54 engine)
Z3 2.8 (1996-1998 M52 engine)
525i (1992-1995 E34)
models with manual transmission only."

I'm pretty sure this is the set up M3 Ryan is using.

[Wanganstyle]

Unless boosting the s54, you won't have problems running a new s52 flywheel+clutch set. It can handle a stock na alpha n tuned s54@8400rpm; no sweat. Did this dd and play on my much heavier e36m

instead of the uuc kit you could buy a complete OEM BMW e28 or 34 M5 setup - It also is a plug and play item for zf sg 320 5 speed. Even the starter teeth ring is the same;

UUC stage 2 and e24 633csi. I measured identical stack height, same manufacture pressure plate casting, just UUC compound friction disc (that was not the most DD item).



IF you want to single mass The steel version may be preferred. Single mass also makes the zfsg320 transmission rattle- my personal experience with brand new full uuc kit shipped directly from uuc. arguable if Alu or steel is preferred, I just stick with dual mass, some pretty light weight dual setups are made from bmw Oem; really not much different than a single mass setup.

A Oem bmw 16.5 lb steel single mass flywheel is also avail and bolts right up (works with m5 clutch because it was designed for it)


S54 seems to enjoy more harmonic damping also, many different opinions on this subject and the harmonic crankshaft damper

[A.J.]

Great info Waganstyle. Much appreciated!!! I was concerned about rattle with the UUC setup. I'll look into the M5 set up you suggest.

[A.J.]

Wow. Just spent the last 2 hours reseaching the different clutches/pressure plates/flywheels for this on the web. There's a mind boggling assortment of options...The e34 M5 dual mass flywheel only weighs 12.5 lbs. I'm thinking that's too light if the s54 likes more harmonic dampening.

Now I'm leaning towards going with the stock e36 M3 clutch/pressure plate since I'm not hard on clutches anyway. But I'm debating whether to go with the e36 M3 3.2 flywheel (pn 21212229015) or the Z3M 3.2 with S54 engine flywheel (pn 21212229011). They both weigh 23.25 lbs. Not sure if there's any real difference except an e36 M3 one is probably a lot easier to find used and get resurfaced...

[Wanganstyle]

I'd buy a brand new OEM genuine dual mass fly.

Secondhand one will die in a jiffy with a S54 attached to it. Like mine that was perfect for entire s52 life, but died within half a year with the S54.

email blunt!

[nando]

Did the S54 Z3M use a ZF 320?

[Wanganstyle]

yes. 5 speed with 3.15 long gearing (for a s54). the S52 z3m had a 3.23 final drive+ zfsg320