Spec 86-93 BMW 325i Stage 3 Clutch Kit
The SPEC SB103 is a Stage 3 clutch kit for the 1986-1993 BMW 325i, the E30 with the 2.5-liter M20 inline six. It is not a stock replacement. Owners who search for it usually have an E30 that makes well over factory power, such as a turbo M20, a 2.7 stroker or a dedicated drift, drag or track car, and the original-style organic clutch now slips in third and fourth, smells hot after a session or has glazed after a few hard launches. SPEC rates SB103 at 493 ft-lb of torque capacity and lists the kit at 17 lb.
The E30 uses a single dry clutch bolted to the M20 flywheel, released by a hydraulic master and slave cylinder through a fork and release bearing on the bell housing. The pressure plate clamps the disc against the flywheel, and its clamp load times the friction of the disc lining sets how much torque the clutch can hold before it slips. SPEC describes its Stage 3 disc as a carbon semi-metallic 6-puck, built for street and race cars that need an aggressive but streetable engagement. A puck disc grabs faster than a full-face organic one, so expect a quicker bite point and some chatter on a lazy takeoff. For perspective, the 2.5 E30 Stage 1 kit in the same SPEC chart is rated at 363 ft-lb, and the full ladder runs from Stage 1 up to Stage 5 at 693 ft-lb. If your 325i is close to stock, the SPEC SB101 Stage 1 kit will drive far better day to day.
On a car this age, rule out the inexpensive parts first. Check the master and slave cylinders for leaks and make sure the pedal returns fully; a weak slave gives hard shifts that feel like a clutch problem, which our clutch won't disengage guide covers. For real slip, do a full-throttle roll-on in fourth from low rpm and watch whether engine speed outruns road speed. The slipping diagnosis guide explains the test, and shift flare vs slip helps separate a clutch fault from an engine or tune problem. Look for oil on the bell housing too; a leaking rear main or input shaft seal will soak any disc, puck or not.
Our listing covers the 1986-1993 BMW 325i with the 2.5L M20. SPEC catalogs SB103 more widely: the E30 325 2.5L 1986-1993, the 325ix 1988-1991, the E30 325 2.7L 1982-1986, the 1987-1991 E30 M3, the 1981-1986 323, the 1982-1985 524, the 1989-1990 525 and the E28 528 built through April 1986, plus the 1995-1996 E36 M3 3.0L when used with the factory dual mass flywheel. BMW changed clutch parts by production date on several of these cars, and E30s are often swapped, so send us the year, VIN and what engine and gearbox are installed before you order. Other clutch parts for these cars are in our rebuild kits and clutch category.
| Brand | SPEC |
| Part number | SB103 |
| Fits | Spec 86-93 BMW 325i Stage 3 Clutch Kit |
| Vehicle fitment | BMW 325I (1986-1993) |
| Type | Clutch Kits - Single |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
SPEC rates SB103 at 493 ft-lb. In the SPEC chart for the 2.5L E30, Stage 1 (SB101) is 363 ft-lb, Stage 2 (SB102) is 413, Stage 2+ (SB103H) is 463 and Stage 3+ (SB103F) is 572.
Usually not. The carbon semi-metallic 6-puck disc bites quickly and can chatter at low speed. A stock or lightly modified 325i is better served by a Stage 1 organic kit.
SPEC lists SB103 for the 1987-1991 E30 M3 and the 1988-1991 325ix as well as the 1986-1993 325 2.5L. Send us your year and VIN and we will confirm before it ships.
No. Resurface the original flywheel or replace it. SPEC's aluminum flywheel for the 2.5L E30 is SB29A.
The E30 clutch hydraulics share the brake fluid reservoir, so bleed the slave with fresh brake fluid after the install.
