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Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:10 pm

Ok, so I already hunted through the forums for this question so that I wouldnt be one of those guys that post something like " how do I lower it..." or " What does this button do???" you know, somethin you see on here everyday. *TO THE POINT

I just wanted input from any of you guys that have had lightened flywheels and what your opinion was of them. I am interested in buying a 12.5 lb one for my car but I mean, Its just a 1600dp. Would there be that much of a difference? the work doesnt matter as I need a clutch and Flywheel anyway, just thought I would ask before I bought.

Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:21 pm

A lightened flywheel will allow the engine to rev faster, it will not have the rotating mass of the heavier stock flywheel so you will have to rev it more when you leave a stop sign/light.

Wed Jul 14, 2004 12:31 am

if i'm not mistaken:

wheels spin easily from a stop, lighter flywheel
engine bogs from a stop, stock heavy flywheel

with the lighter flywheel, you have to shift a bit faster to keep the engine in the powerband and not let the RPMs drop too low.

Wed Jul 14, 2004 5:32 am

Whatever you decide, just don't buy one of those $50-60 cast POS flywheels. Get a good one. I like the OEM flywheels that have been lightened and balanced.

Wed Jul 14, 2004 9:50 am

i have an 11lb. flywheel that i had put on when the shop built my engine and it is frekin great. thats all i can say

Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:19 am

HamburgerBrad wrote:
with the lighter flywheel, you have to shift a bit faster to keep the engine in the powerband and not let the RPMs drop too low.

No you don't. A lighter flywheel will pull just as well from the bottom end as a heavy one. The torque an engine makes does not depend on the flywheel's inertia.

Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:07 pm

Ok, well so far thanks for all the replies but here is another dumb question...
I happened to notice that all lightened flywheels are 8 dowel.
I know an 8 dowel FW is for extra strength but, is there anything that has to be done to install it on a factory engine? Im only saying this because stock is 4 dowel. Im guessing that the other 4 on the 8 dowel are to rotate the flywheel if the other 4 ovalize or begin to have any play in them( only high power cars would do this Im guessing).
Thanks for any help guys!

Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:04 pm

if you install a lightened flywheel you should run a heavy front pulley. Bruce? what is kinetic energy??? if you have a heavy car and let out clutch at 7000 rpms with 7" slicks at 11lbs.. it will bog w/ lightened flywheel. if you do the same setup w/17 lb. stock flywheel it wont lose as much in rpms... i use a 13 lb. w/ berg pulley on the street.. rpms will increase faster w/ lite flywheel than heavy one. 67 w full interior,bumpers etc.

Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:11 am

Bill, no one said anything about launching with slicks on this topic. The guy has "just a 1600dp"

Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:48 am

I think bill's got it here...a heavy flywheel will help the engine maintain RPMs IF IT'S SPUN UP and THEN a load is applied. The engine won't spin up as fast with the heavy flywheel because of the inertia (or kinteic energy essentially) that has to be put into the rotating mass of the flywheel. His 1600 DP isn't going to chirp the tires when he takes off so he essentially has the traction of slicks with a big motor, so the heavy flywheel will help the engine get the car moving, it just won't produce the RPMs (and the torque that goes with them) as quickly. It's a question of how you drive the car and where you want to use power that it's making (which isn't affected by flywheel mass as Bruce said).

Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:41 am

bill may wrote: if you install a lightened flywheel you should run a heavy front pulley. Bruce? what is kinetic energy??? if you have a heavy car and let out clutch at 7000 rpms with 7" slicks at 11lbs.. it will bog w/ lightened flywheel. if you do the same setup w/17 lb. stock flywheel it wont lose as much in rpms... i use a 13 lb. w/ berg pulley on the street.. rpms will increase faster w/ lite flywheel than heavy one. 67 w full interior,bumpers etc.

this man is correct, hes defiinintely done his homework, im putting a lightened flywheel on mine but im not worried about bogging, ive got nitrous :wink: the berg pulley will help a lot, i got one on order

Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:14 am

if taking off normally it doesnt matter. heavy car/small motor =heavy flywheel lite car /big motor=lite flywheel a 13 or 12 lb will work on a stock beetle (they are a light car) about 17lbs. is stock flywheel weight. a lightened flywheel can rev so quickly(acceleration) on a modified engine it can bend stock pushrods.

Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:26 am

So lets say I'm planning on building a stroker(2332cc) as a daily driver. Should I add a lightened flywheel? Driving wil be the occasional rev on import and maybe give him a run for his money.

Sat Jul 17, 2004 8:04 am

SLawson wrote: Driving wil be the occasional rev on import and maybe give him a run for his money.

Maybe give him a run for his money? Dude, with a well built 2332 you'll be taking his money and he'll have to run to make sure you don't take anymore! :lol: