JB Racing Mid-Weight Flywheel W/ e34 M5 Clutch?

[m3f_98///MPower]

As title suggests, would this work on an E36 M3...?


If this has been discussed already please just provide a link and read no further.


After 153,000 miles my T/O bearing is on its way out... Too bad as I feel the clutch has some life left. I think flywheel is okay but can't be certain till its out.


So...

I'm going to be replacing my flywheel, clutch disk, pressure plate (& obviously T/O bearing, seals, and the plethora of other maintenance items "while its out"). I haven't come across this yet in any of the forums but does anyone know if the new JBR "midweight" steel flywheel (p/n 520-010-240S) would bolt up to the e34 m5 sprung-hub clutch disk, factory M3 pressure plate, and T/O bearing package?


This to me would be an ideal package as you get a lighter flywheel, upgraded e34 m5 clutch disk, and "hopefully" no rattle or vibration issues. Seems like a decent upgrade that wouldn't add much cost over the stock package. I assume the combined weight of this kit would be similar to that of the stock e36 m3 as it is my understanding the e34 m5 clutch disk and pressure plate are slightly heavier than the m3's factory unit. Is there any reason why this may not work or wouldn't be recommended? What am I missing? My car is stock with the exception of a catback exhaust. It is my daily driver, but I do intend to do a few trackday/autox events here and there.


Thanks for any input.

[m3f_badgtho]

I don't know the answer to your question but why would you not just go OEM? The OEM clutch is the perfect clutch for the car and can last well over 100k

[m3f_EvanZHP]

My car is stock with the exception of a catback exhaust. It is my daily driver, but I do intend to do a few trackday/autox events here and there.

Because he wants to Autocross his car. If you're going to be in there replacing a throw out bearing and other associated parts, might as well upgrade a little. I don't think the midweight wheel would ruin the stock-ish feel of the car like an aluminum wheel would.



However, the age-old question of man still exists; will it fit.

[m3f_98///MPower]

Thanks EvanZHP, that about sums it up...

[m3f_EvanZHP]

Have you compared dimensions of a tried and true E36 flywheel/clutch upgrade?


At the very least, have you emailed your vendor about it?

[m3f_98///MPower]

Have you compared dimensions of a tried and true E36 flywheel/clutch upgrade?


At the very least, have you emailed your vendor about it?

I have contacted a few vendors and I am awaiting replies. In the meantime I thought I would consult the forum for feedback, as opposed to solely speaking to vendors.


If the JB Racing aluminum flywheel (approximately 10 lbs) works with the e34 M5 Sachs OE sprung hub clutch disk & e36 M3 Sachs OE pressure plate. Why wouldnt the JB Racing steel flywheel (approx. 15.5 lbs) work with that same setup. I get the feeling that all the critical dimensions are still the same between the two, but that answer I'm hoping will come from the folks at JBR.


I'm just looking to see if anyone has already looked into this setup and what they discovered. It surprises me that nobody has yet, unless like I said I am missing something obvious. To me it seems like it would be a nice upgrade, and exactly what I've been looking for.

[m3f_pbonsalb]

I have some recollection that the disk is installed backwards relative to stock in the E34 M5 clutch application for the E36 but am not sure whether this means the PP or flywheel must differ to retain the correct stack height and clearance. Also E34 M5 disk and PP combo is supposedly heavier than stock.

[m3f_badgtho]

Because he wants to Autocross his car. If you're going to be in there replacing a throw out bearing and other associated parts, might as well upgrade a little. I don't think the midweight wheel would ruin the stock-ish feel of the car like an aluminum wheel would.


However, the age-old question of man still exists; will it fit.

So the stock clutch is inadequate for autocross?


Please explain

[m3f_badgtho]

Oh wait. You're the broadway static guy.


Do us a favor and don't waste the time responding.

[m3f_Roland H]

If he wants to autocross, he should put a stock clutch and flywheel in, not an aftermarket setup.

[m3f_badgtho]

If he wants to autocross, he should put a stock clutch and flywheel in, not an aftermarket setup.

And sum B-way statix Bro!

[m3f_scoobiedoo2029]

the jb racing an mashing parts together up sounds like an expensive venture to experiment with if you dont need more clutch because of high HP, last i saw that flywheel was near a $1k. the stock e36 clutch seems to do the job very well, the only issue ive ever herd of is from a plastic clutch fork and that can be replaced with a metal part from an e31 8er i think, or something along these lines i dont really remember.


ive noticed some interesting solutions in the e30 m5x swap land, mostly using m20 parts, and there are plenty m20 owners putting out over 300hp and driving like complete retards. maybe there is a better solution this way if your dead set on a single mass flywheel and sprung hub clutch.

[m3f_98///MPower]

This is how I'm looking at it....



The OEM E36 M3 flywheel is: ~$800

The OEM E36 M3 Clutch kit (disk,pressure plate, T/O bearing): ~336

Total: $1136



This doesn't even include all the seals, bolts, bearings, pins and other components that are to be changed out as well during the process. For these items you could probably add a conservative $200. Your looking at a minimum of say $1300.



Now to take into account the JB STEEL flyweel: $868 ($68 more than stock, a mere 8% price increase).

The OEM E34 M5 Clutch disk with E36 Pressure Plate and T/O Bearing: $411 ($75 more than stock)



This combined package is only $143 more than the stock package (~11% increase). Now you throw in the hours of labor (and beer) that it will take to finish the job, so what is another $150 when you already have so much invested. I still haven't decided as to whether or not I want to turn the car into a track mule, it may be a few years before I make that decision. My thought is that since I'm doing all of this right now anyway, why not spend a little more for to get a little more performance out of the car. This way if I decide to sell the car or track it, I will have a good kit either way.



I'm not saying that the stock clutch isn't good, it has lasted over 150,000 "M3" miles, which is certainly a testament to its durability. I feel that the M5 kit would be just a robust as stock, while providing a slight performance increase over it. Plus no one else seems to have this setup, so who wouldn't like that?

[m3f_fiveightandten]

Sachs M3 Clutch = 2 lbs

Sachs Pressure plate = 10 lbs

Stock OBDII FW = 22.7 lbs

-----------

= 34.7 lbs


M5 pressure plate 13.5 lbs

M5 clutch 4.5 lbs

JBR 15.5 lbs

-------------

= 33.5 lbs


What is it that you're hoping to accomplish by dropping 1.2 lbs?


P.S. I'm aware that JBR racing lists the OE Luk FW as being 25 lbs. My source is 1) Weighing one, and 2) Rogue engineering: http://www.rogueengineering.com/mm5/...ory_Code=E36FW

[m3f_fiveightandten]

Plus no one else seems to have this setup, so who wouldn't like that?

Not all of us get excited about taking the Lewis and Clark route with things that are rigidly connected to our precisely balanced, 15+ year old crank shafts. But, by all means, experiment.