I am in the process of rebuilding my lt1, hot cam, lightweight manley pistons,2.00/1.56 pro flo valves, mild port job, 52mm t/b, custom chip, and was thinking about installing a lighter flywheel either aluminum or billet and would like to hear from you guys as to what to chose. I have a centerforce d/f clutch. also opinions on shorty headers and any other words of wisdom.

 

Let me be the first to welcome you to the forum. :hurray:

I've been developing a theory on flywheels and their effect on the different types of racing. Take a 1/4 mile run, It seems to be somewhat of an advantage to have a heavier flywheel to store energy during a launch. In other types of racing where slowing down for corners and accelerating for straights, lighter flywheels will allow faster RPM changes. Just in the theory stage for me.

As far as Shorties, well if you're after performance there is no substitute for long tubes. BUT, they require a bit more work to install and the rest of your exhaust will be custom. I chose the Hooker Shorties from Jet-Hot for the following reasons: First my stock headers were rusty and had two broken studs. They had to come off for repairs. I wanted to keep the cats and the exhaust OEM so a catback system would just bolt up. Second, I wanted to reduce the heat from under the hood, the OEM manifolds held too much heat. Third, the shorties were just a bolt on matter, very easy. And last, they looked good with the "Sterling" coating. As far as performance goes, there is a small difference, but not like the long tubes. And the shorties do sound better than OEM. My goal was not to have the fastest Vette out there, but one that is better than stock and very reliable. Help any?

 

I have similiar setup, went to single mass "Fidanza" allum. flywheel.
Dramatic differance. Amazing inprovement in performance. (Hitting rev limiter quick.) Drawback-noisy- (with clutch out in neutral), Goes away when put in gear. You might have to set idle up alittle. Noise is at 1200 rpm's and lower. (the old rocks in a can noise) I was looking for feedback on this also. It might be that my cam is a little to lumpy. (The lumpier the cam, the more noise) I am thinking about going back to dual mass in the future.
Who knows, I really like the performance. I know money is money, but I think its worth a try,I think you will be amazed. I was looking for answer to high can I set rev limiter,it gets there so quick.
Good luck!

 

Thanks guys for your input. I also want to retain my stock exhaust configuration, I was hoping to find a deal on a set of used shorties, Hey 92 did you make any 1/4 mile runs with stk flywheel then with aluminum? as far as the noise only in neutral with clutch out, I don't think that happends too much msotly have clutch in while in neutral. Strick what you said is exactly right, I too do not expect to have the fastest vette in town but would like to improve on areas that may need it, thanks again and any other suggestions are welcome.

 

I hope you are taking into account how noisy this really is. I wish I had never messed with my flywheel now. :(

 

In my case, alum. flywheel made a ton of differance in 1/4.
You are looking at 20-25 lbs. differance in weight.
Much more hp to rear wheels.
It's hard to say what numbers, I did not compare times with just flywheel change. Like Victor/R said, If you have a cam, can you put up with the noise?
I would like to hear if others are having noise problems?
I still think its worth a try.

 

To 92green LT1, Hope someone has welcomed you to the forum, if not, WELCOME. As far as weight of the flywheel, just go on a diet and lose the 20-25lbs and you're back to where you started :lolg: :rofl: :lol: :lolg:

One thing I forgot to put in my theory is that as horsepower goes up, the less my idea of storing energy in the flywheel helps. Here is an example, you have a stock 300 HP LT1 on slicks. For the launch to be sucessful and not bog, I think you need as much energy in the rotating mass as possible, ie, heavier flywheel. Once you're on the way, the lighter flywheel will allow the rpms to increase faster. Let's face it torque is what launches you and horsepower is what takes over on the high end. I feel like I'm digging a hole here. :skep:

 

I'm going to wait on ordering the flywheel until tonight or tomorrow and that way we can all discuss this issue some more. Thanks again, this forum really helps the thought process.

 

Does your clutch disk have the springs on them? I was told that if you do not have the spring type clutch disk on a "Findanza single mass flywheel there will be lots of noise. I guess the springs absorb most of the rattle.

 

Trans noise will also depend on the shape your trans is in. I had mine gone through by Bill at ZFDoc.com and have no noise w/ my single mass. Not to mention how well it shifts now...

 

I can't hear the noise over my sidepipes, and they are not too loud. I can feel it through the shifter though a little. As for launching, it is really not that bad. A little trickier finding the right spot, but once it is found, no problem at all. I have the Fidanza one on my 383 and I love it.

However, may I suggest you go with Ferrea valves instead of the Pro-flo's. The Ferrea valves are pretty much the best flowing valves out there. You can get them pretty cheap at http://www.sdpc2000.com where you will need to call or e-mail them because they don't advertise the sizes that you need. I believe they were $10.45 a piece.

 

looks like fidanza is winning, I was really looking for some before and after 1/4 mile comparisons,thanks for all the input so far. how about those used shorties, any out there?

 

So why go with Fidanza's single mass flywheel when they make a dual mass just for the LT-1? Less weight?? Less money?? Inquiring minds ya know!

 

hey nodoubt do you have any more info? part numbers? etc.

 

Just to clarify Strick (and everyone else too). Torque is everything, HP is just nice number we like. You get HP from this simple formula.

HP = Torque X RPM / 5252

i.e. - 300 lb/ft of torque at 5000 RPM divided by 5252 = 285.61
300 x 5000 / 5252 = 285.61 (rounded to nearest hundredth)

To find torque just reverse the equation.

TQ = HP X 5252 / 5000

Kind of interesting huh? Well as for the original topic I'd stick with a heavy steel flywheel 9 times out of 10. I've talked to various professionals at speed shops and such, and they disagree about using aluminum flywheels on the street. But hey if you've weighed the pros and cons, and still want to get one, then go for it. Just depends on what the car is used for. Good luck! :cheers:

 

Fidanza Aluminum flywheels Chevrolet L98, LT1 AND LT4 Corvette (1) Weight: 11.5 Code: C6

Item Number: 198501


Our Price: $330.28
http://www.ultrarev.com/ecart/shopexd.asp?id=18547

 

If you are unsure about a lightweight, you can go to an 'intermediate' weight. I just (as in today) finished my single mass conversion using a camaro LT1 flywheel. Stock C4 unit weighs ~40lbs, the f-body flywheel is about 20lbs. significant difference. I'm very pleased with how much faster the engine revs. heal-toe shifting is so much easier. I have the box o' rocks noise, however its more acurately described as sounding like a dump truck trans in neutral. I can definately live with it, no problem. I bought my flywheel for $40 off of camaroz28.com and had it machined 0.085" to match stacked thickness to the original. Also had it balanced to match that of the original. Also had PP to flywheel bolt holes chamfered a bit to ensure the PP bolts shoulders would not bottom out. machine shop costs were $150. I took both wheels in to have the work done. you could probably do it a bit cheaper, my machine shop is on the high side but they are the 'best in town'

 

One thing that scared me is having a 40 lb flywheel spinning near my feet at 7500 rpms :eek: I went with it for weight reasons and for balance at the high rpms my motor sees. for comfortable driving and cruisng id stay with a dual mass. Feels smoother is a bit quieter. But for my application.. where ill be looking for bikes to creme on the highways.. a lightweight flywheel was the only option. :cheers: