Finally have a working car.

[noBenz]

So got my ECU back from ESS today. TX2 kit is on my manual 2004 325Ci. UUC Cerametallic clutch, ltw flywheel and UUC TSE3 went on as well. Car sounds great. Didn't push it too hard, hit 7k rpm in third once just to see what was up. I don't start building much boost until 5k rpm. I hate the clutch right now. I hope the break in time for that goes by fast. Still need to install the stainless steel clutch line and remove the CDV. I'll give a proper review when I break the damn thing in.

[GarrettF]

5000 rpms for boost is awful

[TxZHP04]

I don't start building much boost until 5k rpm.

Ouch... do you notice anything between 3 and 5k?

Got plans to dyno?

[jt330ci]

that sound real late for boost

[noBenz]

yea , I'm hoping its just the break in for boost. We hooked a boost gauge up and took it for some test runs. We ddin't "run" run it to 7k RPM's, but we got on it enough to see that we feel the biggest pull from about 5k which makes sense since the boost doesn't reach peak until 7k. I'll check it out more tomm as I already put 64 miles on the kit. I think a LOT of it has to do with my CDV and new clutch. As soon as I push the gas pedal down it seems like its laggin for about 1-2 seconds before throttle actually accelerates. Even at the beginning of acceleration it doesn't feel as the clutch is completely clamped down.... Just the new clutch feel. I'll be able to tell within two weeks as I'll easily put 500 miles on the kit and clutch.

[noBenz]

ok can start hearing the whine and feeling the boost around 3 1/5 to 4 k rpms. Car still shudders really bad from a stop with the new clutch.

[TxZHP04]

ok can start hearing the whine and feeling the boost around 3 1/5 to 4 k rpms. Car still shudders really bad from a stop with the new clutch.

I'd contact Rob at UUC and get his opinion on the clutch behavior, something here just doesn't sound quite right to me.

[Mike Benvo]

The clutch will have absolutely nothing to do with X boost at X RPM.

Floor it in neutral and watch the boost gague. You should be making around 3 - 5 psi at 5K rpm

[Ervin87]

Good to hear that everything is working.

Is it as fast as you expected ?

[TxZHP04]

The clutch will have absolutely nothing to do with X boost at X RPM.

No, and I can't determine exactly what noBenz means when he says his car shudders "really bad" from a stop due to the new clutch, but I think he should get an expert opinion on whether he's experiencing normal clutch break in or if there is a problem. From the sound of his post, I worry that the shuddering is excessive and that he may have a problem with the new clutch.

[russ330]

^My UUC clutch felt like garbage the first 500 miles as well, at about 2K it felt like a dream. So I too experienced a definite "break in" period with my clutch.

[noBenz]

^My UUC clutch felt like garbage the first 500 miles as well, at about 2K it felt like a dream. So I too experienced a definite "break in" period with my clutch.

Yea from a past response I got from you on it I definately was expecting it, but I hate it. The car shuddering is not excessive, but it still sucks like no other, especially in stop and go traffic with people looking at you weird like you have no clue how to drive a stick. It just feels like the car is about to stall, but you give it a little more gas or just keep it depressed the same amount and the clutch finally clamps.

[noBenz]

Good to hear that everything is working.

Is it as fast as you expected ?

Faster than I expected. I wasn't expecting much for a 325, but it definately put me in my seat. I had to bend forward to put it into third gear, this is just probably from the way I have my seat set up since I'm 6'3

[HighBoostin330]

ok can start hearing the whine and feeling the boost around 3 1/5 to 4 k rpms. Car still shudders really bad from a stop with the new clutch.

Don't worry that is normal since you are coming from an OEM organic to the Cerametallic. There is a break-in time. I think you might not be giving it enough gas. With a slightly higher RPM take-off, my clutch is perfecly smooth. My write-up fo the Cerametallic clutch will come soon. I have already driven the clutch for about 2,000 miles but that was mainly freeway (SF -> SB -> LV -> SF). However, I did sit in LA traffic for 3 hours only moving 100 miles. :( The Cerametallic clamps a bit harder and causes your RPM's to drop faster. A little more gas would make your take off a bit less jerky. A new material clutch causes for a new way of driving your car. Goodluck, you won't be disappointed with the Cerametallic. I love it! :thumbsup: for Rob at UUC for designing a great clutch.

[Mike Benvo]

Don't worry that is normal since you are coming from an OEM organic to the Cerametallic. There is a break-in time. I think you might not be giving it enough gas. With a slightly higher RPM take-off, my clutch is perfecly smooth. My write-up fo the Cerametallic clutch will come soon. I have already driven the clutch for about 2,000 miles but that was mainly freeway (SF -> SB -> LV -> SF). However, I did sit in LA traffic for 3 hours only moving 100 miles. :( The Cerametallic clamps a bit harder and causes your RPM's to drop faster. A little more gas would make your take off a bit less jerky. A new material clutch causes for a new way of driving your car. Goodluck, you won't be disappointed with the Cerametallic. I love it! :thumbsup: for Rob at UUC for designing a great clutch.


Yep, I absolutely love the feel of my UUC E34 M5 Ceremic clutch. If you think this clutch is bad you should have felt the SPEC I used to have.

That clutch was an absolute nightmare and even failed within 5k miles. Thank god the SAC mechanism has been removed from pretty much all production clutches for the E46.

[noBenz]

Don't worry that is normal since you are coming from an OEM organic to the Cerametallic. There is a break-in time. I think you might not be giving it enough gas.

LOL As sad as it sounds I can't find the sweet spot on the gas pedal. I either chirp the tires or shudder horribly. Less today than yesterday though... I'm getting it

[HighBoostin330]

Yep, I absolutely love the feel of my UUC E34 M5 Ceremic clutch. If you think this clutch is bad you should have felt the SPEC I used to have.

That clutch was an absolute nightmare and even failed within 5k miles. Thank god the SAC mechanism has been removed from pretty much all production clutches for the E46.

I already have, remember? :P

[HighBoostin330]

LOL As sad as it sounds I can't find the sweet spot on the gas pedal. I either chirp the tires or shudder horribly. Less today than yesterday though... I'm getting it

Well, you need to have a steady application of the gas, because once that Cerametallic grips, it will drop the RPMs faster than stock. It just takes time to get use to. After you get the hang of it, believe me, it will be so fun to drive! :thumbsup: