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,

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.

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.

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).

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.

I stand corrected :D

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.:rolleyes: