M42 flywheel option

[McFir7]

Flywheel - A major problem with the M42 was that it had BMW’s 'dual-mass’ flywheel; yes, it weighs almost twice as much as a 325i flywheel (as the name would suggest), at 28.5 pounds. This is a big problem and absolutely kills 1st and 2nd gear acceleration. Ever wondered why your 318iS’s 0-60 was so slow? Well, the flywheel is one of the reasons. There are 3 options to fix this: 1) use a 325i flywheel/clutch or2) buy an aluminum flywheel for your M42's clutch, and 3) an aluminum flywheel for using the 325i clutch. Buying an aluminum flywheel for the M42 runs about $500-700 but is very light, and requires no modification to be fitted. M42 aluminum flywheels are about 12 pounds, and 325i aluminum fly's are about 8 pounds. The 325i flywheel requires a few other modifications to be fitted in the 318iS. Here’s what you need: 325i flywheel, 325i clutch, 325i pressure plate, 325i drive-pinion for the starter motor, and a ‘78-’83 323 throw-out bearing. Replace all these with the 318iS parts and it bolts right together. After all is said and done, your 318iS will have a LOT better acceleration in the first few gears, and deceleration will take place much quicker, which helps on the street and in the auto-x. Turner motorsport and a few other tuners also sell replacement aluminum flywheels for the 318is, but they also more expensive.

 

[McFir7]

so callin all m42 sifu..whats the best set of flywheel n clutch set for our m42 engine?

or do anyone know where we could lightened our stock flywheel

 

[fabianyee]

That article was for the E30 M42 flywheel conversion... But I guess it would apply for the E36 M42 flywheel conversion too... and FYI, the 325i flywheel mentioned in the article is the E30 M20 325i flywheel, not the E36 M50 325i flywheel.

Not sure which flywheel is your M42 running on but it's most probably the dual mass flywheel. bear in mind that the heavier flywheel was to help with your low to mid range torque.

I don't think there's anything u can do with the dual mass flywheel. U can choose to change the flywheel to a single mass M40 flywheel. I have weighed it at about 10kg (~22lbs). I have also lightened the M40 flywheel to 7.6kg (~17lbs). u might have the change the clutch set to the M40 clutch set to go along with the M40 flywheel. Better to check with ETK for confirmation.

Acceleration with the lightened 7.6kg flywheel was much better compared to the 10kg stock flywheel. Slight loss of low end torque but there's no best of both worlds, so it's a compromise I can leave with. Then again, my ride is an E30, not the heavier E36.

Note: Bear in mind that the weight of the clutch sets were not taken into account. The different clutch sets may have different weight.

ps: I have the stock M40 flywheel sitting pretty at home...

 

[gOdspEed]

i used back my m40 flywheel... didn't lightened it though..... but it suits my driving well..... i guess in fabian's case.... the response will be better at 1st gear....

 

[fabianyee]

Actually feels better in all the gears... climbs faster towards top speed too.

 

[zoakies]

May i know where can this thing be done?

And how much to settle all this thing?

I would like to know...thanks a lot...

Cheers

 

[McFir7]

That article was for the E30 M42 flywheel conversion... But I guess it would apply for the E36 M42 flywheel conversion too... and FYI, the 325i flywheel mentioned in the article is the E30 M20 325i flywheel, not the E36 M50 325i flywheel.

Not sure which flywheel is your M42 running on but it's most probably the dual mass flywheel. bear in mind that the heavier flywheel was to help with your low to mid range torque.

I don't think there's anything u can do with the dual mass flywheel. U can choose to change the flywheel to a single mass M40 flywheel. I have weighed it at about 10kg (~22lbs). I have also lightened the M40 flywheel to 7.6kg (~17lbs). u might have the change the clutch set to the M40 clutch set to go along with the M40 flywheel. Better to check with ETK for confirmation.

Acceleration with the lightened 7.6kg flywheel was much better compared to the 10kg stock flywheel. Slight loss of low end torque but there's no best of both worlds, so it's a compromise I can leave with. Then again, my ride is an E30, not the heavier E36.

Note: Bear in mind that the weight of the clutch sets were not taken into account. The different clutch sets may have different weight.

ps: I have the stock M40 flywheel sitting pretty at home...

1.how much r u selling the m40 flywheel?how much the price to lightened it?

2.i m using m42 e36 coupe.can i use the m40 flywheel wit m42 clutch set?or should i used the m40 clutch set?

 

[McFir7]

so callin all m42 sifu..whats the best set of flywheel n clutch set for our m42 engine?

or do anyone know where we could lightened our stock flywheel

for e36 coupe m42..

 

[gOdspEed]

of coz u can use back the m40 clutch set...

 

[fabianyee]

1.how much r u selling the m40 flywheel?how much the price to lightened it?

2.i m using m42 e36 coupe.can i use the m40 flywheel wit m42 clutch set?or should i used the m40 clutch set?

Not sure if the E36 M42 clutch set goes together with the M40 flywheel. I know that the E30 M42 clutch plate is different from the M40 clutch plate.
sachs M40 clutch set is about RM500 or less.

 

[xsjado]

we dont need any uprated clutch for our kind of power application do we?