DCT Upgrade Advice - N54Tech.com

jturboawd · **DCT Upgrade Advice -** 09-07-2017, 05:08 AM

Guys, Harvey is causing me to move onto my next build, which will be a DCT 135i. It will be a 625 whp 525 wtq application with all needed mods. The car is a 60K car 1 owner stock 10/10 car.

There are so many mixed items online. I am looking for advice only from those with direct experience or very close experience with the DCT and upgrades.
Potential upgrade:
1. Clutches SSP or Dodson + OEM tool 4 step recal
2. Baskets
3. F80/82 flywheel (or hopefully Mfactory)
4. Upgraded pan
5. DCT forced convection

I could go all out but I am trying to keep my build sub 5K. lol

A. With the flash options available do I need clutches at 525 wtq?
B. If I change the clutches do I go dodson or SSP? I have seen good and bad from both. I think the recal and set up + the fact that 1st gen SSP used inappropriate material leads to the nightmare stories I hear from either.
C. Do I need the machined baskets? These are sexy but I will be always below 600wtq for sure seems not needed, but looking for advice.
E. I will likely go with the pan because I think added capacity is worth it and will help a little with cooling. Do I need a actual cooling system added though?

The car is a beastly DD. I get on it daily, but mostly commute. 1-2 track, 1/4, 1/2 mile events a year. Main abuse is random mexico tours. I do want something I will never have to touch again, or only touch every 5 years or 50K miles. I have called and researched for atleast 8 hours on this. I have talked to SSP, ABR, BMS and several other vendors. Want to hear from my peers who have fought this battle before.

Advice GREATLY appreciated!

Newguy123 · 09-07-2017, 08:04 AM

Dodson or SSP should both be OK. I've read about the Dodson getting clunky on the m5/m6 platform when daily driving/cruising...but seen nothing negative from the smaller lighter e82 chasis that use Dodson. I put pretty new stock m4 clutches in with the M4 flywheel and my car doesn't slip on 24psi in the higher gears BUT if it over boosts at shift (hits 27 psi) I will get some slip into the next gear then it grabs again. Definately upgrade the clutches with the power level you're looking to achieve. I would recommend going and looking at what the higher power m5/6 guys are doing with their dct, lots of those guys are making 800+ wheel in much heavier cars with just a clutch pack upgrade. I don't think a basket will be nessecary either. Hope that helps

jturboawd · 09-07-2017, 08:14 AM

it does some. Do you have a cooler?

Newguy123 · 09-07-2017, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jturboawd

it does some. Do you have a cooler?

Just the OE heat exchanger deal that bolts on to the back side of the radiator. Been looking at doing a custom one that sits inside the front bumper on the opposite end of the factory oil cooler. There's quite a few universal kits out there for fairly cheap. Or you can go all out and buy the massive dual oil cooler kit from ER and use one of them for the trans and the other for replacing the OE oil cooler. The ER setup is like 800% larger/ much more capacity but $1500-1600

jturboawd · 09-07-2017, 09:03 AM

will the entire m4 clutch pack assemble plug in play in our trans? or do you just use the clutches and repackage them into your basket?

Newguy123 · 09-07-2017, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jturboawd

will the entire m4 clutch pack assemble plug in play in our trans? or do you just use the clutches and repackage them into your basket?

We just used the clutches… But I'm pretty sure the basket is the same. Pure Turbos can confirm that

_ink · 09-08-2017, 06:31 AM

I've done dodson, upgraded pan and cooler. Don;t think the basket is required, but ask ssp/dodson on what the purpose on that it. I would do the m4 flywheel since the transmission is already out.

Also, both have a street and race version.. so pick the one applicable to you

jturboawd · 09-08-2017, 09:31 AM

Ink what cooler do you have

AWSAWS · 09-14-2017, 05:31 AM

I'm looking to do an upgrade soon myself.

I don't think the basket is required also. Additional cooling is probably only necessary if tracking the car.

However I modified my under tray with a wire mesh to provide alot more air flow down under the oil pan of the transmission. I'd take the tray off completely but I want something to stop any large objects from hitting the pan. Just to be safe.