Author Topic: another flywheel conversion question (Read 4134 times)

harvey2 · « **on:** January 24, 2010, 08:25:57 PM »

I noticed that several parts vendors are now selling a conversion kit made by Valeo for M42 cars. It includes a solid flywheel and a matching disk and pressure plate, plus a few other bits. I'm considering putting this into my car, but am wondering if anyone else has installed this specific kit and if you know what the weight of the flywheel is?

part is here:
http://www.valeoclutches.com/Products/Clutch+Kits/Conversion+Kits/Conversion+Kits/45

and available on ebay and at FAP99. Price is reasonable. Anyone with experience?

KenC · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2010, 08:33:32 PM »

What's the price on it? I'd worry about shitty Chinese parts.

Going with OEM parts is relatively inexpensive.

Torque · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2010, 08:46:37 PM »

Quote from: KenCopperwheat;85546

What's the price on it? I'd worry about shitty Chinese parts.

Going with OEM parts is relatively inexpensive.

Since when is Valeo considered "shitty Chinese parts"?

They are French and last I heard they were still the OEM parts supplier to just about every car maker in the world, BMW included.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2010, 09:51:29 PM »

Looks decent to me. I'm tempted...but I don't have a clutch job coming up. Seems like it'd fit the e30 as well as the e36.

KenC · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2010, 10:03:57 PM »

What's the price on it?

harvey2 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2010, 11:07:37 PM »

Some ebay vendors have the kit for $475. How much would it cost to use the OEM parts?

Google the Valeo part number: 52161203 and you will get lots of hits.

Warsteiner · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2010, 07:51:24 AM »

Here is a thread that I found on Bimmerforums about this conversion. Doesn't sound like fun with the wrong parts and just think if you buy it off ebay? Who do you call to fix your problem and get replacement parts? If the kit has wrong parts, you've just wasted money and will spend more to correct it. Stick with things that you know work.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1230540

Just my .02

harvey2 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2010, 03:42:00 PM »

Quote from: Warsteiner;85580

Here is a thread that I found on Bimmerforums about this conversion. Doesn't sound like fun with the wrong parts and just think if you buy it off ebay? Who do you call to fix your problem and get replacement parts? If the kit has wrong parts, you've just wasted money and will spend more to correct it. Stick with things that you know work.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1230540

Just my .02

Thanks for the link. To cover all the bases, I will cost out the correct parts for using the OEM solid mass flywheel. Trouble is that I have looked around a bit and could not find the correct clutch disk and pressure plate at some of the more popular vendors. They have the flywheel listed, but no clutch parts.

edit: OK, looks like going the OEM route is about the same price as this Valeo kit. Or perhaps a bit more expensive.

KenC · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2010, 08:57:42 PM »

Why not go with an M20 flywheel? The swap is well documented and def cheaper than $500 for that kit.

Pm me if you have questions. I also have an EXCLLENT condition flywheel for sale

harvey2 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2010, 01:31:42 AM »

Quote from: KenCopperwheat;85642

Why not go with an M20 flywheel? The swap is well documented and def cheaper than $500 for that kit.

Pm me if you have questions. I also have an EXCLLENT condition flywheel for sale

Hi Ken
I saw your flywheel today and it took all my willpower not to just buy it from you on the spot. You see, there are many discussions about the M20 flywheel conversion, and I'm thoroughly confused. If you can clarify the process, then I'm very interested. I'll PM you.

Ron

KenC · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2010, 01:59:19 AM »

Quote from: harvey2;85660

Hi Ken
I saw your flywheel today and it took all my willpower not to just buy it from you on the spot. You see, there are many discussions about the M20 flywheel conversion, and I'm thoroughly confused. If you can clarify the process, then I'm very interested. I'll PM you.

Ron

I've done the conversion and can probably answer and questions you have. If you get a 90-91 M20 starter with the same wiring posts as the M42 one, and use the flywheel bolts from an automatic 325, it takes most of the custom work out of the picture from the Black Forest article.