Lightweight flywheels

[andy669]

Ok, how many people posting in this thread have actually track and dyno tested aluminum versus steel? How many have just read about it?

After testing out my combinations and my friends, I have probably been involved in testing this theory at least a couple dozen times. Then there was the magazine article written by David Vizard that was originally in MM&FF and has since been republished in PHR, that I was part of. Plus the experimental testing I did for QuarterMaster, I think I'm plenty qualified to speak on this subject.

The most important factor is vehicle weight. Supporting factors are horsepower, torque, rpm, tire size, tire material, rear gear ratio, ratios in the trans, and what type of racing you are doing. Theres an infinite number of possibilites of all these factors, and for every combination there is an ideal clutch/flywheel weight.

However, of the couple dozen combinations I have been a part of testing, not one of them ran slower with an aluminum flywheel.

We have tested Mustangs that weigh 3000 to 3330lbs, blown, n/a, rear gears from 3.73 to 5.13, RWHP from 320 to 650, 2.92, 3.27, and 3.35 first gears, slicks and drag radials: They all ran faster with an aluminum flywheel. And they could have all gone faster if we had the time and money to to find the ideal weight for the clutch/flywheel combo. There is definately a point where they will get too light.

Andy