[Myrder]

Decided to give an update and some idea of what the 335is/550i/650i clutch swap entails and some description of it. I have right at 1,000 miles on it. I have started to beat on it. I also switch to Redline MT-90 while the trans was out.

Symptoms:
Stock clutch started slipping under 18psi on cold nights in 4th gear.

Experience:
This was my 1st BMW clutch swap. I’ve done some a few 3rd and 4th gen F-bodies. Also, engine swaps and blah blah…

Install:
Typical clutch swap, nothing out of the ordinary except how small the flywheel and clutch are. My flywheel had 45,000 miles on it and looked great, I cleaned it off and it still had the machine ridges and lines throughout with no burns, so I reused. My main complaints would be the top bolts that you access in the engine bay for the top of the bell housing AND the top passenger side bolt you get from under the car.

I made my own clutch alignment tool. Out of some scrap tubing and electrical tape to get it snug inside and out. Overall very ghetto but worked.

I also used a small triangle block of wood with a giant clamp to hold it to engine block in the flywheel teeth to keep it from spinning when torqueing the pressure plate.

Make sure you mark all the random bolts and put them in bags and life will be fine.

The locking ring on the pressure plate can be removed with a special tool, or I you are impatient and tired of spending money, use a hammer and a long screwdriver to knock it loose. I tied a thin wire around it and part of the car so it didn’t fly and hit anything.

Remember to have some long extensions (3ft worth) and universal joints in all sizes on hand. Definitely need a friend to help and keep sanity. ALSO get that 3/8 drive with the bendable head as that is 100% needed when doing top bell housing bolts, that and maybe a small like 12-9mm sized wrenchs (3in long) to get in there and move faster.

Finally grease up all the shift linkage before you put it all back together, my shifter is nice and smooth.

Engagement:
Clutch engagement was low after initial install but has move up since driving. I would say full release is slightly lower than OEM and pedal pressure is about 10-15% stiffer. Not at all a pain to drive and actually refreshing. Feel is very much OEM.

Reasoning for 335is/550i/650i/ECS tuning clutch:
I searched how many threads have popped up with 550i or 335is clutch slip events related to power and couldn’t find any. I believe this clutch is good for well into 500rwtq range. Considering the 550i is 450tq and has an easy 800lbs on my car. Dinan doesn't offer a clutch upgrade for their different stages of 550i's so they feel it’s adequate. I didn’t want to spend +$600 on a clutch. This was $380, so savings is significant. I also do not plan on doing a single turbo and plan on being done at FBO levels.

Fluid: I really like the fluid made a huge difference on the 1-2 shift. I need to perform the CDV next, but decided not to during swap so I could appreciate the difference.

F10 550i
Power: 400 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 450 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
Curb weight: 4417 lb (auto); 4358 lb (manual)

My Car
Power: est 400rwhp
Torque: +430rwtq
Curb Weight: 3510lb (weighed)
Time: 12.7@115mph


Album of Images (sorry wish I took more, but it all looks the same.)

View post on imgur.com

edit: Watch the HPF clutch video for more suggestions as well.

[sparkyblue]

It's great that we have an OEM BMW upgrade option. I appreciate you documenting and creating the write-up.

My clutch slips when running the Cobb E-30 (E85 Mix) map. So I had to dial back down to Stage 2+ Aggressive until I had the funds and time for a clutch swap.

[nikitino25]

I'm in the process of doing this same upgrade and got a new stock dual mass flywheel just to be on the safe side but my pressure plate has a defect in it, see here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=976721

I will probably return it just to be sure it doesn't cause any problems. Also, what's this fluid you're talking about?

[Myrder]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

I'm in the process of doing this same upgrade and got a new stock dual mass flywheel just to be on the safe side but my pressure plate has a defect in it, see here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=976721

I will probably return it just to be sure it doesn't cause any problems. Also, what's this fluid you're talking about?

MT-90 redline manual transmission fluid 75w90. Not needed to do swap but a nice change if your 1-2 gear is notchy.

edit: random question, is the imgur album working for you guys?

[nikitino25]

Originally Posted by Myrder

MT-90 redline manual transmission fluid 75w90. Not needed to do swap but a nice change if your 1-2 gear is notchy.

edit: random question, is the imgur album working for you guys?

Yep, the photo album works and I just recently put Redline MTL in my trans and noticed the difference right away, much smoother....

[blisstik]

My first mod was the CDV.

Redline works great! I've got HPF stage 2 with stock flywheel.

[Myrder]

Originally Posted by blisstik

My first mod was the CDV.

Redline works great! I've got HPF stage 2 with stock flywheel.

Nice. I'm excited to get that done soon.

[BMOEW]

So this is for the IS DCT?

[Myrder]

Originally Posted by BMOEW

So this is for the IS DCT?

No sir, 6-speed manual transmission.

[Chrisred]

I believe our cars require redline ATF (auto trans fluid). So technically the MT90 isn't compatible. I'm currently using Redline D4 ATF

[Myrder]

Originally Posted by Chrisred

I believe our cars require redline ATF (auto trans fluid). So technically the MT90 isn't compatible. I'm currently using Redline D4 ATF

There is an in-depth discussion on another very popular n54 forum discussing it's uses. Enough people have run it long enough for me to believe its useful.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by Myrder

MT-90 redline manual transmission fluid 75w90. Not needed to do swap but a nice change if your 1-2 gear is notchy.

edit: random question, is the imgur album working for you guys?

MT90 75w90 is good stuff. Had it in my Speed 3. Plan to put it in my 335i.

Thanks for the review. Great to have a beefier OEM solution.

[Myrder]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

MT90 75w90 is good stuff. Had it in my Speed 3. Plan to put it in my 335i.

Thanks for the review. Great to have a beefier OEM solution.

No problem, I now have 2200 miles on the clutch and it holds great, have definitely hit power levels even in this heat, that the old clutch would not hold. When i removed the 335i clutch it had lots and lots of life left in it, so the pressure plate was the weak spot.

No slipping on the new one and chipping 3rd gear is something I don't think the old one did very often... at this point I want do get the CDV delete done. Been lazy.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by Myrder

No problem, I now have 2200 miles on the clutch and it holds great, have definitely hit power levels even in this heat, that the old clutch would not hold. When i removed the 335i clutch it had lots and lots of life left in it, so the pressure plate was the weak spot.

No slipping on the new one and chipping 3rd gear is something I don't think the old one did very often... at this point I want do get the CDV delete done. Been lazy.

Clutch valve delete is nice. I have the UUC shifter + DSSR + Bimmian weighted shift knob + CDV delete. Pretty happy now with the manual transmission.

[cleex024]

Wonder how it would hold up with rb turbos

[Atekk]

Originally Posted by cleex024

Wonder how it would hold up with rb turbos

...and E85?

[2jzn54]

curious why the ECS site only mentions i models as an application? I'm sure its compatible with the xi lol.

[2jzn54]

anyone know about xi compatibility? i know many people run aftermarket clutches made for the i on the xi.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Nice review

[e90Mark]

Originally Posted by Daily Three

anyone know about xi compatibility? i know many people run aftermarket clutches made for the i on the xi.

Wondering this as well.
Spec for example doesn't differentiate their clutches for i/xi.

[2jzn54]

Originally Posted by e90Mark

Wondering this as well.
Spec for example doesn't differentiate their clutches for i/xi.

my issue is i've never seen the 335is clutch in person.. so while the 335i and xi clutches are the same.. i don't know if the pressure plate itself is larger? possibly will not fit with the xi.. OP can you post a pic of the components if you have em?

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by e90Mark

Wondering this as well.
Spec for example doesn't differentiate their clutches for i/xi.

The Spec RWD clutches also fit the Xi.