It's probably time to think about this as my clutch is beginning on its way out. Anyway, I've noticed a lot of people replaced their flywheel at the same time with their clutch but is it necessary? Are the gains this dramatic? On the other hand, I'll most likely be getting an oversized crank pulley..

My only concern with the flywheel is the noise issue as a lot of people have raised and drivability. Your thoughts on this?

Thanks

 

If you hesitate at all, then don't do it. My stock car is calming and easy to drive, but my modified car w/ light flywheel is a lot more fun. There is noise and requires a modified driving style. It will also exploit bad wishbone bushings.

 

Thanks for that. The wishbone bushings - you mean the one on the control arms?

While on the topic, have anyone lightly machined the existing flywheel to reduce its weight slightly?

 

bump - want to knwo the same thing

 

The flywheel IS noisy. I've had someone ask if my Mini was diesel! If you don't road race or autocross I'd save the $400 for something else.

 

I will be racing ...with a stock flywheel

 

Is it the flywheel or the high performance clutch that creates the noise...... also, Jim Smith, a veteran autox guy here in Atlanta sheared his flywheel (starting gears) and went back to stock...... maybe he will give us some details..... I was going to do LSD Clutch and flywheel this spring but I have decided to wait until I need a new clutch...... I still am commited to the idea of a lighter flywheel. Misfitoy runs a 12.5# unit if I remember and Sid likes it a lot.

 

Yes, he has an Ultrik I thought, but he doesn't race on a track either

 

I may do track days and autox (not well I might add ) but I am not a track racer...... guys like Onasled.....who fully commit their cars (you may be one) while i admire them..that is not my goal.....you really have to pull the interior etc and lose any street value..... my car is just a fun wanna-be racer

 

I didn't mean absolutely don't get one if you don't race or that you can't race without one. I meant TANSTAFL (there ain't no such thing as a free lunch).

With a lightweight fw you'll like: less driveline hp loss, faster spool-up when down in the rpm band. You'll dislike: noise, more difficult launching, especially on hills. If you like redlight racing, lighter isn't the way to go.

Just my opinion.

 

On the same subject, is there a general consensous on an ideal weight? Someone mentioned that Misfitoy runs his at 12.5#....I was thinking of having mine shaved to 15#. My co-worker sez he can do it cheap (he does a lot of front drive cars) and since it is getting close to clutch time....why not? Also, in lieu of a stock set up for the clutch, what else do you guys run and have good luck with? ATC, Exedy, ClutchMaster or....?

Thanks for the info

 

We feel that our 14.5 lb flywheel is a good compromise between better performance and unchanged driving characteristics. You get the quicker windup of the motor and easier gear matching for both up and down shifts. There is a bit of a rattle at dead idle which caries from car to car . As for negative driving with the 14.5 wheel as atest I had my wife drove the car for a full day and never noticed a thing with regard to stop and go and even on hills.I never told her aboutthe flywheel being in place until after the experiment. If you go below that weight I do not know if that would be the same case.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Thanks Randy....(now if I can just convince the wife that your front splitter is a priority).

 

Hey Randy, what clutch would you pair with your flywheel? stock?