Best DCT Clutchpacks - SSP vs Dodson

BMWJunkie

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I will arrange that for you, I went through some of the history and I dont quite have the answer for what happened previously. It looks like a combination of items but we had used your initial feedback in our team discussion when designing the PLUS clutch. Ther had been some variables in some few cases. Will you run this in the 335i? out of interest what tune and trans flash/software are you using?
It would be used in the 335is. I currently run the stock 335is trans flash with modified launch control. Mhd flash tune only.

I have installed a m4 dct flywheel and m4 carbon fiber driveshaft recently as well.
 

doublespaces

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Oct 18, 2016
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Glad to see some quality customer service appearing here, I'm very interested to hear the feedback on the new clutches, it seems they have sorted those issues based on what I've read.
 
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Tippin

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Jan 31, 2017
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If you would like me to test the new clutch design I would be more than happy to give my input. I own a very well known 335is with an extensive mod list.


http://www.dragtimes.com/BMW-335i-Timeslip-28057.html

I am a bmw master technician and performed the first dct swap into a N54 135i in 2016. The project was delayed over 6 months due to faulty dodson clutches. This was on David Rooney's 2010 135i. Previous overall fastest and quickest n54 in the world. After 6 months we tried SSP and were on the road that day. Here are links to his vehicle.


http://www.dragtimes.com/BMW-135i-Timeslip-27920.html

Do not mean to thread jack I am local to @doublespaces and will also be performing a DCT swap on my 135i with upgraded twins in order to hold more torque as i previously had issues with the auto trans slipping. I have been debating on what clutches to order because i need something that can hold 600 to 700 ftlbs consistently. @DMS how much torque will the plus kit support?

I have attached my previous dyno below for feedback
Tiffani.jpg

@BMWJunkie do you know if it is possible to perform a DCT swap and use the 3.15 M3 final drive in conjunction with the M3 gts software?
 

BMWJunkie

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Do not mean to thread jack I am local to @doublespaces and will also be performing a DCT swap on my 135i with upgraded twins in order to hold more torque as i previously had issues with the auto trans slipping. I have been debating on what clutches to order because i need something that can hold 600 to 700 ftlbs consistently. @DMS how much torque will the plus kit support?

I have attached my previous dyno below for feedback
View attachment 9388

@BMWJunkie do you know if it is possible to perform a DCT swap and use the 3.15 M3 final drive in conjunction with the M3 gts software?

Lets assume the 3.15 works with the gts software and the n54. I think that it will be drivable but may have other slight annoyances. The main issue with that setup is the 3.15 gearing itself. If you run 130ish mph in the quarter mile you will need to shift into 6th gear before the finish and have a top speed of 170-175mph in 7th

You also have to keep in mind the 3.15 was used on a car with a 8400rpm redline.

I currently use a 2.81 gear in a m3 differential and even at 500hp/550tq I feel I am shifting to much and could benefit a taller final drive ratio.
 

boostE92d

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Jan 9, 2018
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A 2.81 gear in a m3 differential and even at 500hp/550tq I feel I am shifting to much and could benefit a taller final drive ratio.
Crap, that's kinda what I expected, but I was hoping not. Mfactory diff it is. Thank you for the information.
 

SSPKris

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SSP will be releasing our new Spec-Z Performance Clutch System for the BMW DCT. Our new 10/10 plate clutch system will hold 1200 ft/lbs of torque. This is the largest torque handling clutch on the market for the BMW DCT transmission. Our entire clutch line drive like stock, adapt on the very first try, thus eliminating down time.
 

aus335iguy

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SSP will be releasing our new Spec-Z Performance Clutch System for the BMW DCT. Our new 10/10 plate clutch system will hold 1200 ft/lbs of torque. This is the largest torque handling clutch on the market for the BMW DCT transmission. Our entire clutch line drive like stock, adapt on the very first try, thus eliminating down time.
The way I understand it there’s no point having all that capability until someone can reprogram the torque tables in the box??
 

aus335iguy

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I get that they are hanging in there but no one knows if they’ve hit the maximum clamping pressure on those clutches or if they can take much more....
 

SSPKris

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Why would you need more clamping pressure if the clutch is holding the power? Makes no sense. By adding more line pressure to the vehicle you risk the chance of damaging other components. Raising the pressure would put the shift forks, synchros, and synchro sliders at risk to name a few parts. Proper tuning, adaptation, and matching a clutch to the correct power level is key. Why risk damaging the transmissions internals..... JM2Cnts
 

aus335iguy

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Precisely - We dont know if we are or we aren’t achieving any pressure difference when we are reporting more torque. All we know is that the transmission isnt slipping when we dont want it to. We are going to be dropping 1000hp on those clutches without any real idea or control over what’s happening or how the box is handling it. Is that wise ? essentially we are throwing hardware at a problem and we dont know what the problem is.
 

BMWJunkie

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Dec 25, 2016
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I can only speculate, but considering both Dodson and SSP make clutches for other dct platforms that have cracked trans software. I'm assuming they have a pretty good idea of what needs to be upgraded.
 

aus335iguy

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I can only speculate, but considering both Dodson and SSP make clutches for other dct platforms that have cracked trans software. I'm assuming they have a pretty good idea of what needs to be upgraded.

With these better friction materials could we not be operating at lower pressures and prolonging the life of our gearbox components as well? I’d buy a clutch pack that enabled me to do that.
 

SSPKris

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Then why would you be commenting about "cracking" the software to obtain higher line pressures? You make no sense.
The BMW transmission, no matter the material will apply adequate pressure to obtain the target torque request by the ECU. The amount of friction plates in a clutch basket increase the frictional surface area exponentially. The ECU will automatically reduce pressures because increased friction material is being used. In essence increased friction surface will need less pressure to accomplish the same end result....
 

aus335iguy

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I dont make sense to you because you dont think like me and that’s just a communication issue.
Please answer my question. Could we run lower clamping pressure with the increase in friction area? I think the answer is yes. You’ve said that the box does this automatically... great...How do you know that the BMW ecu is “automatically reduce(ing) pressures” ? Have you got some logs that show this happening ?
 

SSPKris

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I am not commenting on what I know about what the transmission does. We spend tons of hours logging this car to produce transmission products. Lets just say that the transmission is very smart and can adapt according to frictional surface area.
 

aus335iguy

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Im aware of that because the clutches wear over time and in order to maintain consistent engagement it would have to adapt. I dont think that leaving stock programming in a box where you are doubling or even tripling the torque input whilst changing friction coefficients drastically is the best way to do this is all. If i had two businesses selling me the same or similar product and one offered reprogramming and one didn’t i know which one I’d pick.
 

doublespaces

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Well, I think if they work then they work. The transmission hasn't been cracked, at least not publicly in a meaningful way so we can't do anything about it. If the existing or new clutches work, I'm interested to hear what they can or are doing. I know there is an M5 that is putting down good power with the Spec R but needed to upgrade them. I haven't kept up with the progression however so I'm a bit out of that loop.