ESS Blower for DCT vs 6MT

[nivek311]

Apologies if this topic has been beat to death, I searched and couldn't find any definitive info on the matter. Question is will a full blown VT-650 kit, like this eventually tear apart a DCT transmission? I've talked with a couple of people and they've mentioned they would never do a blower on an auto but that the manual set up will hold up a lot better to that much of a HP increase.

Thoughts? Hoping a few DCT owners with VT2 kits will jump in. Thanks!

[OM VT3]

Originally Posted by nivek311

Apologies if this topic has been beat to death, I searched and couldn't find any definitive info on the matter. Question is will a full blown VT-650 kit, like this eventually tear apart a DCT transmission? I've talked with a couple of people and they've mentioned they would never do a blower on an auto but that the manual set up will hold up a lot better to that much of a HP increase.

Thoughts? Hoping a few DCT owners with VT2 kits will jump in. Thanks!

my kits been put on atm! the ess stage 3 motor is with a dct and that guy raced his car alot with a 625 kit

[akh23456]

dct is really strong you should be fine trust me.

[Mbauer]

Originally Posted by akh23456

dct is really strong you should be fine trust me.

Drews is slipping..... No one has replaced the clutches successfully yet in a DCT. DCT replacement is 10k +

Gamble as you wish....

[akh23456]

Originally Posted by Mbauer

Drews is slipping..... No one has replaced the clutches successfully yet in a DCT. DCT replacement is 10k +

Gamble as you wish....

for a stage 2 kit Dct holds up fine...I have been to the track and have over 13000+ miles of boost on my Dct and around 60,000 miles on the transmission total.

[advanced101]

So it is safe to say that the DCT is safe for 500Whp?

[akh23456]

Originally Posted by advanced101

So it is safe to say that the DCT is safe for 500Whp?

yea you should be ok for normal driving and track. If you plan to do drag i would say do a software for the dct so you can do burnout or do a line lock. Otherwise dct i believe is good enough to around 550 whp after that i start doing disc replacements,software and added cooling.

[sales@ESSTuning]

We do not recommend the VT2-650 for DCT equipped vehicles unless the car is sent to us to have our DCT performance software installed. The most power we recommend with the stock BMW DCT software is VT2-625. The DCT transmission in this car is very reliable with added power but it does have its limits.

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by Mbauer

Drews is slipping..... No one has replaced the clutches successfully yet in a DCT. DCT replacement is 10k +

Gamble as you wish....

Sticky's was slipping and he had his clutch packs replaced and a custom cooling system for the DCT made by South Side Performance (SSP). The same company that has done a lot of good work on the R35 GT-R DCT Gearbox. As of now, they are the only company I know of that offers anything for the M-DCT. For more info just do a search, either on this forum or on Google, as posting helpful info from that other forum would get me banned.

[GOVCO]

I would imagine it's all in how hard you drive you M, like Akash says above. You drag your car and beat the living snotrockets outta it, she's bound to break something. Just talk to the rep at one of the SC shops. They obviously know their product.

[sensi09]

Interesting how the DCT upgrades cost more than dual clutch upgrades for other brands. http://www.sspperformance.com/sub-ca...ransmission--/

Yes it's a BMW, but curious to know if upgrade is much different then the other dual clutch transmissions, some of which are also getrag.

[stega]

Originally Posted by sensi09

Interesting how the DCT upgrades cost more than dual clutch upgrades for other brands. http://www.sspperformance.com/sub-ca...ransmission--/

Yes it's a BMW, but curious to know if upgrade is much different then the other dual clutch transmissions, some of which are also getrag.

I bet it's because of the small market they are working with for the e9x m3...

[pbonsalb]

The new M5 with 550 hp and 500 lbs torque (it is torque more than horsepower that kills clutches) is using an improved version of the same DCT. This should make upgrade parts availability simpler although I am sure it will take some work to chase them down given that the new M5 is not really out yet.

[DLSJ5]

If you make near 600WHP/400WTQ, most Stage 2 kits do not, then you would be on the edge of possibly needing upgraded clutches. Below that you should be fine.

[DLSJ5]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

The new M5 with 550 hp and 500 lbs torque (it is torque more than horsepower that kills clutches) is using an improved version of the same DCT. This should make upgrade parts availability simpler although I am sure it will take some work to chase them down given that the new M5 is not really out yet.

Good point, it would be interesting to know how similar they really are.

[ModBargains III]

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

We do not recommend the VT2-650 for DCT equipped vehicles unless the car is sent to us to have our DCT performance software installed. The most power we recommend with the stock BMW DCT software is VT2-625. The DCT transmission in this car is very reliable with added power but it does have its limits.

+1 Couldn't imagine how amazing that would feel to get on it with a DCT with that kit... Must be just mind blowing

Originally Posted by GOVCO

I would imagine it's all in how hard you drive you M, like Akash says above. You drag your car and beat the living snotrockets outta it, she's bound to break something. Just talk to the rep at one of the SC shops. They obviously know their product.

You make a good point. Obviously if you're going to be drag racing the car on a consistent basis as well, I think reinforcement of the subframe and rear suspension should also be in mind as well, not just the transmission.

For normal daily driving with occasional track use, obviously you're less likely to hurt the drivetrain as much as drag racing the car on a very consistent basis and of course as you say, beating the living snotrockets out of the car. Still no reason NOT to have fun while driving it though lol

[nivek311]

Thanks for all of the replies, very helpful info!

[dvpouldar26]

Another vendor to look to for upgraded clutches, baskets etc is Dodson motorsport out of new zealand. Almost all running built motors in the R35 use Dodson components and fluids. If you're in SoCal, contact SP engineering; they're known for their high horsepower R35 builds right up there alongside AMS, Topspeed and Jotech and have a lot of knowledge about upgrading these transmissions. I'm curious to see how these trannys hold with ESS's VT3's and other built motor options out there. Here's some links to both Dodson and SSP if anyone wants more info:

http://sspperformance.com/sub-catego...35/drivetrain/

http://dodsonmotorsport.com/index.ph...d=19&Itemid=30

[OM VT3]

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

We do not recommend the VT2-650 for DCT equipped vehicles unless the car is sent to us to have our DCT performance software installed. The most power we recommend with the stock BMW DCT software is VT2-625. The DCT transmission in this car is very reliable with added power but it does have its limits.

when will u be able to do the dct transmission software using one of your flash tuners?

[sales@ESSTuning]

Originally Posted by leigh

when will u be able to do the dct transmission software using one of your flash tuners?

It is currently in development. We do not have an ETA on when it will be ready but we are hoping soon.

[OM VT3]

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

It is currently in development. We do not have an ETA on when it will be ready but we are hoping soon.

Dam i really want this!!

[spencertx]

is there a clutch kit for the 6 speed?