Aluminum Flywheel

eatsgmcar · 12-12-2002, 04:26 PM

A lot of car has an aluminum flywheel at our local
track. What is the typical gain when changing the
flywheel for a midly modified, naturally aspirated
car (6000 RPM shift point)?

Everybody told me it was the best move they made
but they were unable to says how much time it has
removed.

regards,

84LX89GT · 12-12-2002, 10:36 PM

The plusses to a lighter flywheel is less power is used to accelerate the flywheel, so less power is wasted. The down side, RPM's drop faster between shifts.

The plusses to a steel/Iron flywheel is that although it's slower to accelerate, it adds more mass to the engine, which helps keep RPM up during launch and causes car to launch harder because of more centrifugal force. You're alot less likely to bog the engine with a heavier flywheel.

Also aluminum flywheels don't dampen engine vibration as much so the car will have a rougher feel with the engine running and more firing pulses jar the transmission and driveline, which can shorten drivetrain life slightly.

This is what i've read/heard, maybe someone else has heard otherwise.

blue00gt · 12-13-2002, 01:33 AM

If you like to carve corners a lightened flywheel also helps rev-matching on downshifts due to the reduced inertia. For this kind of driving a lightened flywheel can actually increase drivetrain life.

RPM427 · 12-13-2002, 12:29 PM

You will also be able to control the cars power better with street tires. I am thinking about going with one when I grenade my T-5 (just a matter of time).

ultraflo · 12-13-2002, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 84LX89GT
...aluminum flywheels don't dampen engine vibration as much so the car will have a rougher feel with the engine running and more firing pulses jar the transmission and driveline, which can shorten drivetrain life slightly.

This is what i've read/heard, maybe someone else has heard otherwise.

An aluminum flywheel will lenghten the life of your drivetrain as it doesn't shock the components, or the tires, once the clutch engages like a steel wheel does...

For a mildly modified street car that rarely sees the dragstrip, I'd choose the stored energy of a steel wheel for improved acceleration at lower rpms.

84LX89GT · 12-24-2002, 03:11 AM

I stand corrected

saltzstang · 12-24-2002, 03:46 PM

Check out your next issue of MM&FF....they have a tech test with aluminum vs. Steel....dynotest and dragstrip test . I think ya'll be suprised.

12-12-2002, 04:26 PM	#1
eatsgmcar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pont Rouge, Quebec, Canada Posts: 45	Aluminum Flywheel A lot of car has an aluminum flywheel at our local track. What is the typical gain when changing the flywheel for a midly modified, naturally aspirated car (6000 RPM shift point)? Everybody told me it was the best move they made but they were unable to says how much time it has removed. regards,

12-12-2002, 10:36 PM	#2
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	The plusses to a lighter flywheel is less power is used to accelerate the flywheel, so less power is wasted. The down side, RPM's drop faster between shifts. The plusses to a steel/Iron flywheel is that although it's slower to accelerate, it adds more mass to the engine, which helps keep RPM up during launch and causes car to launch harder because of more centrifugal force. You're alot less likely to bog the engine with a heavier flywheel. Also aluminum flywheels don't dampen engine vibration as much so the car will have a rougher feel with the engine running and more firing pulses jar the transmission and driveline, which can shorten drivetrain life slightly. This is what i've read/heard, maybe someone else has heard otherwise. __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

12-13-2002, 01:33 AM	#3
blue00gt Mustang Addict Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1,294	If you like to carve corners a lightened flywheel also helps rev-matching on downshifts due to the reduced inertia. For this kind of driving a lightened flywheel can actually increase drivetrain life. __________________ Strike down the unroadworthy! 2000 GT Atl. Blue: '03 Cobra motor - 465rwhp/473rwtq, T-56 6-speed, full MM TA/PH & tubular K-member suspension, Saleen body, 17" Torq-Thrust II's, M/T ET Street radials, and lots more '94 Rio Red Cobra: All the bolt-ons, 3.73s

12-13-2002, 12:29 PM	#4
RPM427 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Huntington NY Posts: 573	You will also be able to control the cars power better with street tires. I am thinking about going with one when I grenade my T-5 (just a matter of time). __________________ -1993 Mustang, 900rwhp 03-04 cobra based 4v swap, full Griggs setup, project underway -1994 Ranger w/ 427cid windsor (daily beater) check it out!

12-24-2002, 03:11 AM	#6
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	I stand corrected __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

12-24-2002, 03:46 PM	#7
saltzstang Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: southeast texas Posts: 90	Check out your next issue of MM&FF....they have a tech test with aluminum vs. Steel....dynotest and dragstrip test . I think ya'll be suprised. __________________ AFR 1492 heads,Track Heat Intake, d.s.s super pro bullet 331, lakewood bell, king cobra, 3550 ,UPR shifter, aluminum shaft, 4.10, 31-spline, spool,hoosier27x10, moroso ds-2, 175-juice, egt...11.40 on motor spray pass coming.

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