M5 clutch

[angel318ti]

I keep hearing about the M5 clutch being compatible with the e36 transmission. what I need to know is what year and model actually fits. I know of one for sale for cheap and I want to get my hands on it before its too late.

[Philly]

Kit includes a hybrid clutch kit that uses a sprung hub E34 M5 disc, an E36 M3 pressure plate and a new release bearing. An E36 M3 clutch slave cylinder is recommended for E36 318/323/325/328 models.

Pulled that off understeer's website... E34 - not sure what model years that is though. Im guessing you would need an M3 flywheel for that too.

[Bluebimma]

Its a hybrid flywheel, you cant just throw an m5 clutch onto an e36 flywheel.

EDIT
*UUC's Classsic E36 flywheel weighs in at a mere 11.5lbs and is designed to be used with any OEM or aftermarket E36 M3 clutch. The flywheel can be used with any E36 model (318/323/325/328/M3), any 5-speed E46 (323/325/328/330), '92-'95 E34 525i and all Z3 models with no modifications, bolts right up! Perfect for non-M3s because it allows you to step up to the higher clamping force available with the M3 clutch.
- Kit includes a hybrid clutch kit that uses a sprung hub E34 M5 disc, an E36 M3 pressure plate and a new release bearing. An E36 M3 clutch slave cylinder is recommended for E36 318/323/325/328 models.*

[angel318ti]

Originally Posted by Bluebimma

Its a hybrid flywheel, you cant just throw an m5 clutch onto an e36 flywheel.

EDIT
*UUC's Classsic E36 flywheel weighs in at a mere 11.5lbs and is designed to be used with any OEM or aftermarket E36 M3 clutch. The flywheel can be used with any E36 model (318/323/325/328/M3), any 5-speed E46 (323/325/328/330), '92-'95 E34 525i and all Z3 models with no modifications, bolts right up! Perfect for non-M3s because it allows you to step up to the higher clamping force available with the M3 clutch.
- Kit includes a hybrid clutch kit that uses a sprung hub E34 M5 disc, an E36 M3 pressure plate and a new release bearing. An E36 M3 clutch slave cylinder is recommended for E36 318/323/325/328 models.*

ok so its a mix of various different models. any of you swapers running this setup?

[Philly]

iirc, i think jess just picked up this kit...

i just guessed/assumed if you were using an M3 pressure plate, that you could use the flywheel as well... since its just the flat surface on the flywheel the clutch grabs... ?
so if the M3 PP can work with the M5 clutch... why would the M3 flywheel be any different? Not arguing or disagreeing, just asking out of my own curiousity.

keep in mind, im still a noob when it comes down to the mechanical on this level.

[Bluebimma]

There are different kits for using an m5 clutch disc. One is using a lightweight, m3 spec flywheel, sprung hubbed m5 disc, an m3 PP, and unknown throwout bearing which has to be one for an e36 due to the size of the input shaft.

The other kit is a very light flywheel that can be used in an e36 but used a full m5 clutch assembly, which means, not the m3 PP and such. Im not sure what throwout bearing they use, could be different than the m3 or m5. Youd also use an m3 slave for these setups so take that into account if you want the proper feel.

[angel318ti]

ok I see the kit but you figure the flywheel shouldn't be necessary. maybe a M3 FW and PP but not the LW FW.

[cooljess76]

I just picked up a UUC 8.5lb flywheel and an e34 M5 pressure plate, clutch disc, throwout and pilot bearings. Got the flywheel used from a guy on bf.c for $325 and a new clutch from Grip Force for $220. Normally it's an $1100 kit, so I'm pretty happy with the savings. BTW, UUC calls this their stage 2 kit for an s52 application. They say that a lighter clutch feel will be noticed with this kit when used on an M3 and recommend using a 325 slave cylinder to regain normal feel. I'm running the M3 slave cyl, so I guess I'll have to deal with the light pedal issue.

They also have a stage 1 kit that utilizes an e34 M5 clutch disc with an M3 pressure plate. This of course is also for an s52 application. Both of these kits have a rotating mass of 11.5lbs.

I'm still not sure if the grip force clutch will work as UUC is very specific on using a particular e34 M5 clutch. So I'm getting ready to call both companies to make sure.

[cooljess76]

Also FWIW, I passed up that deal on bf.c for the LTW FW and M5 clutch for $575 shipped after seeing pictures of it. It's advertised as only having 11k miles on it, but that clutch looked trashed. The seller's name is "Pat???" I'm not a big fan of installing used clutches anyway. I guess it's still a good deal, but I picked up the same flywheel and a brand new clutch for less. I bought my FW from bf.c member "BavarianLove".

[angel318ti]

the clutch I saw was on ebay. Looks almost brand new but I think I will pass cause I rather get something that I'm sure will work. I hate doing things twice!