Lightweight flywheel option for the M42/44
 

Stolen from an on-line source, who got this info second hand...

As it goes: no warranty, your mileage may vary etc...

The aftermarket doesn't support the M42/M44 engines with a lightweight flywheel kit essentially because the most popular performance modification for an E36 318i is to replace it with a 325i. The M3 parts will not work. However, we have heard of a solution. We have not tested this system, nor do we know anyone who has. There is rumored to be a certain idle hiccup or off the line hesitation that may accompany it. No warranties are given or implied. Being that you and your dad like to tinker, here's the parts list and half-hearted notes we received from, well, somebody:
1- 11-22-1-262-827 late E30 325i retainer plate
8- 11-22-1-717-840 late E30 325i crank bolts loctite
6- 07-11-9-919-939 late E30 325i? clutch cover bolts
1- 21-21-1-223-026 E30 325i press plate or M3
1- 21-21-1-223-174 E30 325i disc or M3
1- 11-22-1-706-575 late E30 325i flywheel (should be almost no part of flywheel extending past ring gear, if sticks out almost 1/2" will lock up on oil pan support ribs it's the wrong part. Weight is 8.4 lbs.) 1987-91
1- 21-51-1-204-525 release bearing E21 323i (?) catches low to floor, new set up is shorter, so this is longer
1- 21-51-1-204-229 318iS release fork
1- 21-51-1-202-659 318iS release fork pivot pin
1- 24-41-1-722-844 late model gear reduction starter E30 325i '87-91
1- 11-21-1-271-403 M42 pilot bearing
1- 23-41-1-466-118 selector coupling washer.

May want to replace rear trans seals. Check guibo & nose bushing in driveshaft & center support brg.


Maybe Steve wants to make this a sticky; I'm not sure at this point...

Wow Jim, that's a nice find. I wonder if it works. Definitely worth a trip to the junkyard if it does. So e30's used a single mass flywheel? I couldn't imagine a dual mass only weighing 8.4lbs. I already have the UUC 8.5lb'er, who's gonna be the first to try this!

Yeah, I stumbled acros it looking for something else and though it might be usefull to capture...

I really dont agree at all with this article. I know people who have done this mod and theres more to it.

For one, all E36 and E30 clutch and flywheels are interchangable given their associating pieces are swapped with them, which is said not to be true based on that article.

The single mass flywheels are still heavy, Jeffrie, a bf.c member with a boosted 318 has also proven eveything with specs and their flywheels are still in the 18lb range, lighter than e36, but not 8lbs light.

Just my .03$.

It should be a simple matter to check with a dealer on the flywheel, and note the shipping weight. If it is over 18 lbs, that tells you you are right. If it is under, it says the article is right.

I'd also like to point out that in the case of the E36 M3 driveshaft, there are two completely different parts (one 4-bolt; one 6-bolt), with the same part number. This may be the case here too- it matters very much on the model year in question.

Not trying to be a PITA about it, just pointing that out before the thread is shut down.

Did you see this article?
http://www.blackforestindustries.com/m20flywheel.htm

and this one?
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=331722

I think the M20 flywheel is 18-19 lbs