Engine dies when clutch pushed in
 

Found numerous threads online about the thrust bearings, and I am really hoping someone has seen a similar issue but turned out to be the clutch or pressure plate, or anything else! Built the bottom end of this engine and its been running well for several 1000 miles now. The last few times i have driven it, i noticed the clutch slipping under heavy boost and i figured it may be time for a clutch (should have put one in while i was building the engine). However, now just yesterday i was driving it to work and all was fine. Suddenly i was not able to build any boost (none what so ever, wont get past 0psi, like an NA car) and when i push the clutch in, the engine dies or stalls a bit but wont completely die. Got the car home, and while driving home it seemed to run fine, just no boost. Took the turbo off, assumed it was a stuck wastegate or seized bearings. Didn't find anything glaring. Put it all back together and took it for a drive. Same clutch in dying issue, but the turbo came back to life.

So now the turbo is working but i i notice a little lower oil pressure and the same issue when i push the clutch in. Does the same thing in gear as in neutral when the clutch is in. Had the wife get in and press the clutch in and out while in neutral and i dont see any visible crank pulley movement.

All signs point to the thrust bearings, but i am really hoping that a bad pilot or throwout bearing or even pressure plate could be somehow causing this.

Anyone????? Am i crazy to think it could be anything other than the thrust bearings?

Push the crank pulley (with the engine off) with a piece of 2x4 or something similar, lightly.

THEN have your wife push the clutch while you watch. If it's a decent 1/4" of play, it's scrap.

If you can't see any movement, you're probably fine and it's another issue.

You're sure it's not the clutch switch electronics? Did you forget a ground strap? Get under the dash and push the clutch switch by hand, see if it does the same thing.