S38B36 flywheel+clutch on s38b38 ? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

DrSakke · 8th September 2003, 19:06

Hi!
I have a slight shake when starting the car when cold (I mean when de-clutching) and I thought of replacing the clutch soon as this is a first symtom of worn clutch (has 163000kms=100000mls on it). It doesn´t show any signs of slipping yet (should occur when accelerating hard in high gear = max torque+power against great resistance= high load on the clutch)
But it occured to me that maybe it is possible to put in the 3.6 flywheel and clutch as I would imagine that this would improve revving and response due to lower mass of the 3.6 flywheel compared to the 3.8 flywheel.
Could this be done without any major modifications and can the 3.6 clutch take the increased torque+power?
This ain´t a costs issue, so if tihs isn´t feasible/reliable option i´ll just get the original parts.
Bythe way, maybe the 3.8 clutch could be used in combination with the 3.6 flywheel ? or is it the same clutch+pressure plate on both models? anybody done any of this? experiences?

Sakke

rcalvin · 9th September 2003, 01:31

Rob Levinson of UUC Motorwerks had this done and he told me that I would need the "entire 3.6L flywheel and requires the complete 3.6l clutch kit (pressure plate, clutch disk, T/O bearing).
Changing to Redline MT-90 is recommended as the lighter flywheel may reveal some gearbox rattle."

I'm in the middle of having my tech do the clutch job so I don't have any feed back as to how it performs.

Rick Calvin
93 M5 Touring

DrSakke · 9th September 2003, 09:45

Hmm...
That´s interesting. I would love to hear how the car performs after the conversion as I have exactly similar car, a -93 M5 touring.
So no other modifications needed, only a "bolt on" job then? do I need the depressing arm from 3.6 also ( the thing that depresses the clutch, between clutch slave cylinder and pressure plate)?

Sakke

rcalvin · 9th September 2003, 15:52

I don't think so, but I will let you know. I should be getting the car back sometime at the end of this week or early next week so I'll let you know how it performs.

Thanks,
Rick Calvin 93 M5 Touring

DrSakke · 9th September 2003, 17:55

Oh, I just can´t wait.......
What colour is your car? did you import the car yourself? Must be nice having a touring in US, theres not so many around

Thanks
sakke

rcalvin · 10th September 2003, 03:51

Daytona Violet. I did not import it myself. I saved it from the junkyard and I'm in the middle of having it restored. (Can't let any of these rare cars go to waste). It is nice having it in the states but finding a tech to work on it is rather difficult.

Rick Calvin
93 M5 Touring

DrSakke · 10th September 2003, 09:23

Wow, that´s nice.
Why was it being scrapped? didn´t it pas the import emission test or what? It is so sad that these cars are still considered not worth saving (among the non-believers), and really it is a world class rarity with 300-400 ex remaining (appr.) Here in Sweden there was FIVE!!! going for scrap at the same time earlier this year....

Good luck with the restauration.
all the best
Sakke(you can see my car on the www.bmwe34m5.com registry, it is the white car)

rcalvin · 10th September 2003, 16:34

It passed emmissions. It also was running but needed some work on the paint & body, engine, suspension and alot of other little things.
The previous owner (he imported the car and drove it for about 6 mos.) was treating it like a piece of sh*t, never changed the oil or had it serviced. He was basically driving it like a beater. So, it would have been in the scrape yard in a years time.
It's a shame when someone like that gets a hold of such classic.

Rick Calvin
93 M5 Touring

jrturbo · 11th September 2003, 12:58

hi there

I am of the belief that the 3.6 clutch and 3.8 clutch are the same, you will need to do some research into this, but as far as I am aware the share the same diameter, and the 3.6 engine from memory suffered from heavy clutch pedals, and bmw revised the clutch when they brought out the 3.8 and this clutch superseeded the 3.6.

I will try to confirm this, hope this helps

Regards

Joe rubido

jrturbo · 11th September 2003, 18:21

Hi there

Just had a look at the luk (luk supply clutches to BMW) catalogue and although the 3.6 and 3.8 clutches share the same diameter the list diferent part number for pressure plate and clutch disc, the thrust bearing is the same in both cases.

Having said the above its still possible that the part are interchangeable without examining both side by side this imposible for me to determine currently.

I will keep you guys posted if i find any additional information regarding the issue.

Joe Rubido