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Aluminum Flywheels - worth the money??

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NardisCNC

NardisCNC

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I was just wondering how much difference an aluminum flywheel really makes? I'm sure every little savings in weight makes SOME difference, but is it a practical investment?? And lets say we're dealing with a street car with a stock or moderately modded 1098 or 1275 engine. Thanks for any wisdom!
 
There was a discussion back in the spring. You might want to search the archives.
 
From discussions with Paul A. --not for the street--

while the engine WILL rev quicker, it also makes it a PITA when leaving from a stop. The flywheel provides inertia to help keep street driving SMOOTH. Why pay big bucks to make driving more difficult?
 
I've always thought the A-series flywheel was way too heavy. I've contemplated trying an aluminum flywheel on my SC engine. Can Paul A. make a datsun clutch work on a Aluminum flywheel? I've never compared them.
 
A nice compromise is to lighten a steel flywheel. Took about 6 lbs off the one in my BE. Best of both worlds.
 
My 1380 is slightly modified and has an alloy flywheel among
some other light components.
The sucker has NO bottom end torque.
It had starting problems at my steep driveway with a 3.7
diff. and a high first gear wasn't helping matters and the
cam just added to my dilemma.
I went to a 4.22 diff and I'm really pleased with the starting
stop situation now.
The little sucker spins to 7K plus like a top with the lightened
drivetrain. THAT I like. It's still no drag racer. :jester:
In a stockish daily driver I think flywheel money could be better spent elsewhere. IMHO
 
I apologize in advance to those that might (will) be offended here.

Having never so much as ridden in a Midget much less driven one, I look at my 1275 that to me seems like a very diminutive engine, and have been trying to imagine some measurable performance from it. At this point I think it looks cute and show it to everybody that stops by and amaze (amuse) them with the hp number. I am not fond of the taste of crow but very much hope I am wrong.

That said, I am looking forward to driving it and believe it will be fun.
 
I agree that lightening the existing flywheel is the way to go. Any local shop that has an engine lathe can quickly lighten it by 5 or 6 pounds. The issue I see with the aluminum flywheel is the different materials. Steel either pressed or attached with screws to aluminum has it's drawbacks. Racers who are constantly working on their motors prefer them but for the normal one or twice a week driver they are not recommended.
 
tomshobby said:
I apologize in advance to those that might (will) be offended here.

Having never so much as ridden in a Midget much less driven one, I look at my 1275 that to me seems like a very diminutive engine, and have been trying to imagine some measurable performance from it. At this point I think it looks cute and show it to everybody that stops by and amaze (amuse) them with the hp number. I am not fond of the taste of crow but very much hope I am wrong.

That said, I am looking forward to driving it and believe it will be fun.
Click to expand...


It's all relative as they say. When you start with a car that once had 41 HP little things can make a measurable difference
in performance. I can honestly say the little BE is faster than my FJ40 Land Cruiser now. :devilgrin:
 
Mine is faster than both my daily drivers... up to a point. Most of the "go fast" is gone by the time it hits 85 mph.

Good point about the possibility of an Al flywheel needing more service.
 
Aluminum flywheel as part of a total performance package is not a bad deal, I guess for some starting off with light flywheel is a big deal, when compared to race car with a 1.65 first gear it always seems fairly easy to me, a lightened stock flywheel is compromise between stock and aluminum, so thats not a bad choice either, but once you get someone to lighten it, resurface it, install a new ring gear if needed and then rebalance,it can run into a few bucks, you can throw $200 at modifying a stock flywheel real quick. A-series engines rev up fairly quick, so they respond to this less than say a MGB or a TR4.

David, that sc/cr gear set that your car has is one of the things that is messing with you probably alot more than the aluminum flywheel, those gears were designed for road racing so they are a good bit taller than a stock gear set, while they are nce once the car is rolling, no so much at stop signs and red lights.
 
It's not a problem now Hap. It was only a problem at the
start of my rather steep driveway. Otherwise it was a non-issue.
It's not a problem at all with the 4.22.
I actually like the taller first in my gearbox. LOL...the little
stinker can stay in first for what seems like forever.
1.6 first? Holy cow! To get THAT up my drive from a standing start I'd need to smoke the tires after a 5K clutch drop.

:jester:
 
I have had stock flywheels lightened and I also have an aluminum flywheel.
I think the aluminum flywheel gave me the most bang for the buck.
I will never be without an aluminum flywheel in my (favorite) Sprite.
 
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