Lite Weight Flywheel???
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,305
Likes: 8,110
From: Napa Valley California
Lite Weight Flywheel???
I'm building a 496 big block to drop in to my 73 Coupe.
I'll be running 10.4 to 1 compression ratio, Crane hydraulic roller 230/236 @ .050 598/610 lift 112 lsa camshaft, Edelbrock Performer RPM oval port aluminum heads, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake, Quick Fuel Q-850 carb, MSD ignition, headers and other additional goodies, in front of a TKO-600 close ratio 5-speed.
I always ran lite weight flywheels in my drag boats and was wondering about any advantages or disadvantages of running one in my 73, which will be used for street use on foothill and coastal winding roads and highway use.
I'm building my 73 as a hot rod and don't really care about fuel economy.
What do you think or what is your experience with lite weight flywheels?
I'll be running 10.4 to 1 compression ratio, Crane hydraulic roller 230/236 @ .050 598/610 lift 112 lsa camshaft, Edelbrock Performer RPM oval port aluminum heads, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake, Quick Fuel Q-850 carb, MSD ignition, headers and other additional goodies, in front of a TKO-600 close ratio 5-speed.
I always ran lite weight flywheels in my drag boats and was wondering about any advantages or disadvantages of running one in my 73, which will be used for street use on foothill and coastal winding roads and highway use.
I'm building my 73 as a hot rod and don't really care about fuel economy.
What do you think or what is your experience with lite weight flywheels?
Last edited by OldCarBum; Jul 7, 2018 at 01:56 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
The 6t8 SBC got treated to a Fidanza 11 lb flywheel. It allows the engine to accelerate and decelerate mucho faster, RPM matching is very easy, the performance gains are excellent. That said, for street driving the loss of the heavier flywheels momentum requires attention to the vehicle speed. The engine very easily gains or looses RPM. It's been on the back of the engine for 8 years and never needed a clutch adjustment. T
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Run the light weight flywheel. You have more than enough torque to overcome any inertia problems with the 496 cu in you have. For spirited driving through the winding roads it will accelerate quicker without any issues. I have run light weight flywheels for years and much prefer them.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
OldCarBum:
I ran an aluminum one on my last 468, it seemed to rev quicker, though it is tough to gauge because I went from 10:1 to 11:1 compression and switched heads. I did notice the bottom end was a little more soggy (which again was definitely due to a different set of heads). The aluminum flywheel doesn't have as much stored momentum from my understanding, so taking off from a stop light will be a little more difficult than with a heavier steel flywheel that has more stored momentum. The lighter flywheel I think would be fun once you have the RPMs and are upshifting and downshifting. I do feel like it was able to rev quicker with less effort once I got moving.
I ran an aluminum one on my last 468, it seemed to rev quicker, though it is tough to gauge because I went from 10:1 to 11:1 compression and switched heads. I did notice the bottom end was a little more soggy (which again was definitely due to a different set of heads). The aluminum flywheel doesn't have as much stored momentum from my understanding, so taking off from a stop light will be a little more difficult than with a heavier steel flywheel that has more stored momentum. The lighter flywheel I think would be fun once you have the RPMs and are upshifting and downshifting. I do feel like it was able to rev quicker with less effort once I got moving.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,847
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I'm building a 496 big block to drop in to my 73 Coupe.
I'll be running 10.4 to 1 compression ratio, Crane hydraulic roller 230/236 @ .050 598/610 lift 112 lsa camshaft, Edelbrock Performer RPM oval port aluminum heads, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake, Quick Fuel Q-850 carb, MSD ignition, headers and other additional goodies, in front of a TKO-600 close ratio 5-speed.
I always ran lite weight flywheels in my drag boats and was wondering about any advantages or disadvantages of running one in my 73, which will be used for street use on foothill and coastal winding roads and highway use.
I'm building my 73 as a hot rod and don't really care about fuel economy.
What do you think or what is your experience with lite weight flywheels?
I'll be running 10.4 to 1 compression ratio, Crane hydraulic roller 230/236 @ .050 598/610 lift 112 lsa camshaft, Edelbrock Performer RPM oval port aluminum heads, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake, Quick Fuel Q-850 carb, MSD ignition, headers and other additional goodies, in front of a TKO-600 close ratio 5-speed.
I always ran lite weight flywheels in my drag boats and was wondering about any advantages or disadvantages of running one in my 73, which will be used for street use on foothill and coastal winding roads and highway use.
I'm building my 73 as a hot rod and don't really care about fuel economy.
What do you think or what is your experience with lite weight flywheels?
I run a lightweight flywheel and pressure plate, but I do a lot of track days and have pulled every ounce I can off the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 597
I'm building a 496 big block to drop in to my 73 Coupe.
I'll be running 10.4 to 1 compression ratio, Crane hydraulic roller 230/236 @ .050 598/610 lift 112 lsa camshaft, Edelbrock Performer RPM oval port aluminum heads, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake, Quick Fuel Q-850 carb, MSD ignition, headers and other additional goodies, in front of a TKO-600 close ratio 5-speed.
I always ran lite weight flywheels in my drag boats and was wondering about any advantages or disadvantages of running one in my 73, which will be used for street use on foothill and coastal winding roads and highway use.
I'm building my 73 as a hot rod and don't really care about fuel economy.
What do you think or what is your experience with lite weight flywheels?
I'll be running 10.4 to 1 compression ratio, Crane hydraulic roller 230/236 @ .050 598/610 lift 112 lsa camshaft, Edelbrock Performer RPM oval port aluminum heads, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake, Quick Fuel Q-850 carb, MSD ignition, headers and other additional goodies, in front of a TKO-600 close ratio 5-speed.
I always ran lite weight flywheels in my drag boats and was wondering about any advantages or disadvantages of running one in my 73, which will be used for street use on foothill and coastal winding roads and highway use.
I'm building my 73 as a hot rod and don't really care about fuel economy.
What do you think or what is your experience with lite weight flywheels?
Have a listen
When I had a single disc it made no noise that I could hear.
Now its not as noticeable ounce you cover up the console, but you can still hear it.
Will the TKO 5 speed have the same problems with a twin disc + light weight flywheel, I don't know.
I have a 3.08 diff with a 2.66 first gear and I don't have any problems driving on the street.
I found with the light weight flywheel the car just performs better for the activities I use the car for. Road Track days.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I'm am pretty sure that Fidenza doesn't sell the 11.5 pound aluminum 168 tooth fly wheel any more. I think that on my next tranny pull my 11.5 pound aluminum is coming out and my 22 is going back in but I have lite weight everything 6.250 ati damper, March aluminum crank pulley, and lite weight crank shaft sbc
I have 26 inch tall rear tires, 4.11 rear end, and. 64 OD tko600. I'm only tacking @2700 rpm at 80 mph so my motor just purrs
along on the freeway
Your total rotating mass is way above mine so you need to find the lightest flywheel available, sticky modern tires, and good 14 inch rotors on the front
I have 26 inch tall rear tires, 4.11 rear end, and. 64 OD tko600. I'm only tacking @2700 rpm at 80 mph so my motor just purrs
along on the freeway Your total rotating mass is way above mine so you need to find the lightest flywheel available, sticky modern tires, and good 14 inch rotors on the front
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 18
From: BF Mid East TEXAS
That is the exact reason why I don't think that Fidanza makes the 11.5 pound anymore. People were running high pressure springs in the pressure plate and if you are dumping the clutch or keeping the gas on speed shifting the drive line shock was cracking the aluminum centers. It is not the rpm, it is how you shift. I saw it every day out at the track. people not even attempting to rpm match gear shifts.
After this I went with the 7" quartermaster and well, that's a whole other can o' worms.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Sorry for assuming that you were slamming the clutch and cracked it. Which quarter master did you go to, the1,2,or 3 disk. I always felt bad for multi disk clutches just driving from the transporter through the crowds to get to the hot pits to strap the owners in
what class are you running something like T1
what class are you running something like T1
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
On a street car I keep it original heavy flywheel
On a car that I am going to drive with a butt load of spirit...then I would go with a lighter flywheel.
If I am driving it competitively...then I guess I would take it to the level needed to keep up with the pack due to any advantage is a good advantage.
So for me it all depends.
DUB
On a car that I am going to drive with a butt load of spirit...then I would go with a lighter flywheel.
If I am driving it competitively...then I guess I would take it to the level needed to keep up with the pack due to any advantage is a good advantage.
So for me it all depends.
DUB
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 18
From: BF Mid East TEXAS
Sorry for assuming that you were slamming the clutch and cracked it. Which quarter master did you go to, the1,2,or 3 disk. I always felt bad for multi disk clutches just driving from the transporter through the crowds to get to the hot pits to strap the owners in
what class are you running something like T1
what class are you running something like T1
I built the car for st1 (nasa) but decided to hang in TT1 and when the water cooled wallet guys showed up with sequential trans I had to draw the line and have been out of it for a few years.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,305
Likes: 8,110
From: Napa Valley California
Thanks everyone,
The machine shop helping me put together my motor strongly recommended staying with the steel flywheel for my build. They say for a street car and the torque I'll produce I don't need the lighter flywheel and that I'll be happier on the road.
The machine shop helping me put together my motor strongly recommended staying with the steel flywheel for my build. They say for a street car and the torque I'll produce I don't need the lighter flywheel and that I'll be happier on the road.
