Aluminum flywheels..Yes or No
10-13-2008, 08:03 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Aluminum flywheels..Yes or No
Do any of you guys run an aluminum flywheel? I read that it gives you back about 25 HP that you lose to the original flywheel. Are there any drawbacks?
10-13-2008, 10:01 PM
#3
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2002
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CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Depends on the application.
Lighter/smaller rotating clutch/flywheel assembly will make the engine rev faster, also make it drop in rpm faster when shifting, coating or braking. Any imbalance issues will be more easily felt.
In typical street driving, you will have to apply more throttle while easing off the clutch to keep from bogging/stalling. A light setup is streetable, sure, but it will take some getting used to.
Heavier flywheel = more forgiving, helps retain engine rotation momentum, holds rpms better while shifting, and helps to dampen any vibrations caused by imbalances in the rotating assembly.
Road racers typically want a light setup, because slowing down the quickest is the key to perfecting the road course...you don't want a slow-decelerating engine pushing you harder into a corner, you want it to aid in slowing you down, and also make rev-matching during a braking downshift more controllable.
.
Drag racers want a heavy package that carries momentum, because upshifting is the only concern of the race. You get that engine rpm and momentum spooled up at the launch, and want to keep it there...having the engine rpm's drop during shifts is the enemy.
Lighter/smaller rotating clutch/flywheel assembly will make the engine rev faster, also make it drop in rpm faster when shifting, coating or braking. Any imbalance issues will be more easily felt.
In typical street driving, you will have to apply more throttle while easing off the clutch to keep from bogging/stalling. A light setup is streetable, sure, but it will take some getting used to.
Heavier flywheel = more forgiving, helps retain engine rotation momentum, holds rpms better while shifting, and helps to dampen any vibrations caused by imbalances in the rotating assembly.
Road racers typically want a light setup, because slowing down the quickest is the key to perfecting the road course...you don't want a slow-decelerating engine pushing you harder into a corner, you want it to aid in slowing you down, and also make rev-matching during a braking downshift more controllable.
.
Drag racers want a heavy package that carries momentum, because upshifting is the only concern of the race. You get that engine rpm and momentum spooled up at the launch, and want to keep it there...having the engine rpm's drop during shifts is the enemy.
10-13-2008, 10:25 PM
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
nice
WOW, thanks "blk04z" and "Y2Kvert4me". This is just what I was looking for.
Y2Kvert4me.....you sure know your stuff and thats all I need to hear. I will not go with the aluminum after all. With my cam I already have to play the gas to keep it idling and I do not want to slow any when I shift. I can see though why autocross guys would like them.
Y2Kvert4me.....you sure know your stuff and thats all I need to hear. I will not go with the aluminum after all. With my cam I already have to play the gas to keep it idling and I do not want to slow any when I shift. I can see though why autocross guys would like them.
