97' SL2 Clutch Issues..
 

Alright got a good and bad problem with this clutch (pressure plate, clutch disk, and throwout bearing) already have a new clutch master and slave cylinder, been working on replacing a new EFT SPORT Clutch kit into this sl2. Have torn apart the transmission twice and re installed the clutch kit twice for fun. When the transmission is all bolted up to the engine the flywheel locks up and will not spin at all. Which means in theory something is not installed properly. I have checked once and now twice, now almost a third time. When the trans and engine are only 1mm apart from being bolted together you get zero clutch master slave cylinder assistance, but the car will turn over no problem at all. And you can speed shift your way down the road just no clutch.
but as soon as you move that transmission in with the engine you cannot start it and no more speed shifting it turns into a giant pile of dent proof magic. To me it has to be something that is only 1-2mm to big or not lined up but I am lost on what it might be.. sort of..

Only 2 things come to my mind of what it could be but I'm just trying not completely tear it apart again if need be.

If any one has any good ideas that it could be I will be very greatful or if they have experienced this sort of thing before

When it is bolted up tight, when you try to start it, does the engine rotate (crank) at all? I know you said it does not turn over but people use that term for different things.

There is a crude test you can do to determine whether it is a hydraulic issue or a mechanical issue. It involves putting an unbent paper clip through the access hole under the hood near where the nose of the slave cylinder contacts inside the transmission. Basically, you measure how much movement from clutch in to clutch out. There is a post somewhere on the forum about what the distance means. I can't remember what decade I posted it in but it's here somewhere.
The only other thing I can add is that when the slave cylinder on my 95 SC2 failed, it was all I could do to get it from one gear to another with the attempted assistance of the clutch hydraulics. After I parked the car in the driveway, I came out the next morning to find my shifter absolutely pinned in first gear. As in it took me both arms to free it into neutral. And it would shift nowhere else. Replaced Master slave as a complete unit and all was well.
How does yours behave with the car off? Can you freely shift through the gears with or without the clutch?

As far as "Cranking" goes the starter and fly wheel try to turn it does not even go a full tooth turn. Only clicks (but the click is the sound of the fly wheel and starter not being able to turn)

Transmission with engine off and clutch pressed or not pressed I can shift into every gear and reverse just fine nice and smooth.

With the trans and engine having a 1mm gap all the way around I can turn the car on and drive away clutch does not work but I can speed shift all day long.

Seems to me there is a mis-machined part on yer fancy clutch set up. Did you measure components against the OEM clutch parts?