335is/550i clutch vs. Motive SST

[Swedishpowah]

Pulled the stock clutch out of my 335is as I'm upgrading to a Motive twin disk. Since I had both of them out and side by side, decides to weigh them. Figured I should share, in case anyone is curious.

Nothing crazy, 43.9 vs. 39.5 lbs. When I first saw the Motive, I thought it would be just a bit heavier due to how beefy it looked. Ended up as a slight weight saving.

 

[TWilly]

very good to know! keep us posted on how you like the clutch once installed

 

[Swedishpowah]

Finally got the car on the road and wanted to share initial impression. Since the clutch is new and I've only put 35ish miles on it, I can't comment on how it holds the power and will really only test that once I'm through with the break-in period.

I was surprised how easy and manageable this clutch is. Although the engagement is a bit more abrupt than the previous 335IS clutch, it isn't an ON/OFF type clutch - there is still room to modulate and slip it a little on take off. Honestly, I expected far worse and was pleasantly surprised in this regard. I also think this will become even easier as it wears in some. The pedal is fairly light and only slightly heavier than the stock IS clutch. The biggest drawback so far is the noise - I raised the RPM to 800 at idle and it is still fairly loud. Once I rev it past 1k RPM it smooths out and the noise is not audible but definitely rattly at 800 rpm - I'll bump it just a tad again, to 900 perhaps, and report back on how it sounds.

 

[terryd5150]

What flywheel are you using?

 

[TWilly]

motiv twin disk comes with a new flywheel. to OP have/ or will you try the different fluid combos in the transmission to help keep the noise down? not sure if this is proven to help with rattle or not but here is a link
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_techtip/techtips/tranny_rattle.htm

 

[Davidwarren]

is it just the idle noise? I have a SMFW with a spec 2+ and it drones terribly between 2500-~2900 RPMs.

 

[Tony@VargasTurboTech]

Do not bother for a second, or waste any money on those "fluid cocktails" None of them work to quiet the gear box noise the SMFW induces. Simply bump your idle up to 900-950, and it will go away for the most part. The twin disk is the best clutch on the market hands down. I have over a year and a hald of 700-850WHP dyno runs, 1/2 mile events, 1/4 mile runs, launches, 910WTQ, etc, etc. Thing has never let me down once.

 

[Swedishpowah]

At this point, I'm not really concerned with the noise. All I really care about right now is that it holds the torque - and judging by Tony's statement above, it should be plenty strong enough.

is it just the idle noise? I have a SMFW with a spec 2+ and it drones terribly between 2500-~2900 RPMs.

Yes, it's just noise at idle - once under way there is very little noise coming from the clutch. At least not that I can tell - if there is any it's drowned out by the other noises like tire, exhaust, engine, etc.

 

[Sshec152]

Order directly from spec, it saved me $600. Spec makes the product and motiv just slaps their name on it a cashes in. A member of another forum had issues with their "motiv twin disc", motiv didn't honor their warranty, and passed him off to spec. You will have to call spec directly because they don't list it.

 

[TEC]

I will say what no one else will.
Spec clutches from any company that will not provide their own warranty is a crap shoot. You may get lucky and get a clutch that works or one thats pure crap. If you are unfortunate enough to get a crap one good luck on getting it warrantied. Spec will throw every excuse in the book at you including ignoring you in order not to warranty the clutch. This isn't new behavior either, they were doing this as far back as I can remember which is why there rep wasnt stellar with the DSM crowd back in the day.

 

[brocke]

There is a thread on this clutch on the other forums, where the motiv pressure plate has failed in under 2500miles and spec wont warranty it.

Stay well clear that has anything to do with spec.

 

[TWilly]

so let me get this straight: the motiv twin disk is just a relabeled spec clutch kit?

also if you guys are familiar with fcpeuro, you can get some of spec clutches on their site and they say they will warranty anything on their site. might be a hundred dollars more or so but I think it be worth it.

 

[Sshec152]

so let me get this straight: the motiv twin disk is just a relabeled spec clutch kit?

also if you guys are familiar with fcpeuro, you can get some of spec clutches on their site and they say they will warranty anything on their site. might be a hundred dollars more or so but I think it be worth it.

Correct spec manufacturers the clutch for motiv and protuning freaks. All the same exact clutch just a different name put on it and marked up. It's a shame there's no good, affordable twin disc for us yet. Spec is hit or miss and they won't warranty their product, mfactory is having issues with slipping due to design flaws, at least they will warranty it and the clutch masters is ridiculously overpriced ($2,700) i wish someone like mcloud would make us a twin disc, they are the best clutches you can get for a mustang and ls.

 

[TEC]

If you can hang on I would wait until the end of the year before buying a clutch. MFactory will hopefully have their design issues resolved by then and there are at least two more companies showing twin discs that could be available by then.

 

[Tony@VargasTurboTech]

The misinformation in that other thread is so bad you can beat it with a stick. We use Spec clutches for everything we own. We have zero problems. We are making more TQ than anyone with an N54, never a single issue on the Spec twin disk. If you want to do yourself a favor steer clear of Motiv, and just get the clutch directly from Spec. You will save money, and wont have to deal with a 3rd party / middle man.

Spec clutches do not fail often. Every clutch has a failure percentage, a lot of it is based on how the clutch is treated. From install, to break in period, slippage. The list goes on.

There is no need to stay away from spec, the opposite is true. Every Spec clutch has better clutch feel than the competitors we have tried, and all last a long time if treated properly. The few issues we have had, they made them right with no questions.

 

[TEC]

In other words if you own a car that you don't drive on the street and stays on a rack most of the time buy a spec clutch.

For the rest of us do your own research and you will see that spec is a hit or miss proposition. You will also should be able to see their track record on warranties as well.

 

[brocke]

Tony your a shop so they are going to look after someone like you but to the individuals they dont give a crap, all you have to do is do a quick search on the internet and tons of horror stories and bad service reports can be found

You cant say the same thing about other companies

 

[brocke]

there's a nice twin plate clutch that's going to be available now from a Aussie company Xtreme

Comes with two years warranty and its the same price as all the others

http://www.xtremeclutch.com.au/en/catalogue/online-catalogue

 

[Tony@VargasTurboTech]

Well we have never had a single issue with a spec clutch, so there has really been nothing to take care of. We just put another 2+ in the twin turbo N55 we are testing. Pedal feel was as good as stock, clutch held great. Bottom line, spec makes great products

 

[TWilly]

I want to go with the twin disk @Tony@VargasTurboTech. which one did you go with? last time I looked Motiv had multiple option for the twin disk. I looked on protuning freaks and they only have one option. if I called Spec directly would they have more than one option?