Lightweight Flywheels

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Mar 13, 2004 | 07:21 AM

Lilcarlson2

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Lightweight Flywheels

Whats everyones opinion on lightweight flywheels. I have a 1.8t with chip and exhaust how much more power would i expect to feel. I need a new clutch and just figured i would replace the flywheel and also do i need a new pressure plate or just a new clutch if im upgrading to a performance clutch.

Mar 13, 2004 | 07:47 AM

qfrog@work

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for every 1lb of rotating mass removed you gain appx 1.5 to 2hp at the wheels

so if you drop 9lbs that is 13-18hp you will re-allocate to the wheels.

Mar 13, 2004 | 03:35 PM

Ritz

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From: Northern VA / DC Area

Re: for every 1lb of rotating mass removed you gain appx 1.5 to 2hp at the wheels

Where do you get that number from? Reducing the rotating mass of the flywheel doesn't really buy you THAT much. It allows the engine to rev faster and ***** your day to day driveability in traffic, but it doesn't magically free up power. The big power parasite in our cars is the all wheel drive, not the flywheel (not that I'm complaining).

Cheers,

Mar 13, 2004 | 03:40 PM

NOLAN5162

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I heard it was more like every one pund of rotating mass=3 or 4 pounds.

Just what i heard. And what the hell is "*****"?

Mar 13, 2004 | 04:42 PM

Ritz

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From: Northern VA / DC Area

Re: I heard it was more like every one pund of rotating mass=3 or 4 pounds.

F*cks. 8-)

Think about it for a moment. A rotating mass is initially more difficult to get moving. However, once it is moving, intertia helps keep it moving. That's why the heavier parts are friendlier in stop and go driving. The rotating mass of the flywheel helps to keep the engaging clutch from bogging the engine and causing chatter. The lighter flywheels are better when you need quicker engine wind up since the lighter mass is easier to spin up to the desired speed.

I'd be interested in seeing any scientific basis for HP gains due to changing flywheel weight. Compared to the amount of HP sucked up by the rest of the drivetrain, I'd say the weight of the flywheel is probably somewhere down there among statistical noise.

Cheers,