[fastboatster]

So I'm trying to get my 328i into condition I'll be confident it won't break down somewhere suddenly due to something preventable. It looks like the old stock DMF is not in great shape, so the clutch job is in order. I want to install a Valeo SMF conversion kit, I don't want to have a DMF anymore.
I'm trying to plan ahead in order to avoid getting stuck and leaving the car for a few days in a place I will be working on it.
So I'm going to list any potential key things and also ask for your points and some tool selection advice.
- By the looks of it, watching George Austers and Kern417 videos, it should be possible to do it without the transmission jack and on the jackstands. 328i's MT is really tiny compared to what they had.
- I've heard different things as to whether the exhaust really needs to come off. It looks like it should clear, and I was able to pull the driveshaft flange off the transmission in the past without messing with the exhaust.
I don't anticipate problems pulling the exhaust, though, the car hasn't seen winter salt yet, though this will probably change later this year.
- Infamous transmission bolts at the top of the bellhousing - sounds like the way to go is to lower the transmission tail a bit and use wobble extensions. Looks like U-joints and especially swivels are not up to this task.
- This is somewhat obvious, the engine needs to be supported either by the engine support bar or a floor jack in order to mate it back with the transmission, learned that by struggling with one of my former cars' transmissions in the past.
- As for the tools, this is the biggest unknown variable for me. I've heard that some clutch alignment tools from some kits need modifications to work or just not good. Can anybody recommend a clutch alignment tool they were happy with?
- Flywheel holding tool - heard some people use a prybar and two clutch basket bolts to hold it in place. When I need to torque down the flexplate bolts on some other engine, I used this method:
https://youtube.com/shorts/GyiBj85lj...QCwEhtHduYLHu9
how many people got away without using flywheel holding tool?
alternatively, has anybody used this 3d printed flywheel lock tool:
https://printablesauto.ca/products/f...ing-tool-flt52 anyone used any of their products btw?
- pilot bearing. leave it alone or must-replace item? I'm not 100% sure if it's in the crankshaft, in the transmission's input shaft like in the 335i's or in the flywheel itself. If it's in the flywheel then it will have to have a new pilot bearing.
- transmission seals/rear main. is the consensus if it doesn't leak, leave it alone?

[fastboatster]

another thing - Valeo's 835115 kit https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t-valeo-835115 has 240 mm diameter clutch, while stock rwd 328i has 228mm. Afaik, that's not a problem and kind of an upgrade, however, I noticed that BMW TIS lists 2 different clutch alignment tools for 328i with GS6-17BG and 330i which has GS6-37BZ. Not sure if these 2 tools are really different and if either would work with this clutch/flywheel kit and GS6-17BG