there is a question i have been pondering for a while now, and that is, if we already have a counterweight on the front of our engine, why do we need another one when we buy a new flywheel?

And if it needs to go on there, does on go on the front or the rear on the engine, cause the prolite flywheel says it comes with a new rear counterweight. Im just a confused :uhh: with it as i want to buy the prolite in a little while. Anyone have one for sale?:)

stock flywheel has an integral counterweight . The one you get with aftermarket flywheel is actually the same as the auto counterweight.

so you dont need to replace the weight on the front?

Anytime you have a rapidly spinning object it will vibrate and shake unless you have something to dampen the movements and absorb the energies created. Hence, the counter weights. The front weight is for the EC shaft itself while the flywheel weight would be for the wheel itself, to ensure proper balance, and, I assume, to help absorb any vibrations that the front counterweight doesn't stop.

ok, good, cause i dont want to take off the front one, i would have to remove the whole engine. im gonna go look for a DIY flywheel install and read up

i found a couple, incase anyone needs it

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=34289&highlight=flywheel+install

http://www.gerhardstein.net/rx8/flywheelshifter/flywheelshifter.html

Really?!! what do i all need to buy besides the flywheel and counterweight?

nah, my clutch is fine, i havent noticed any slipping. what do you charge for labor, and my house wouldnt exactly be the best place to do it.

If you think you might need a clutch soon, now would be the time to get that too. BTW, my labor isn't free, just very reasonable.

sounds like you have a lot of business going on around the East Coast :), Are you going to be *around* the NYC area next week or 2 ? :)

I think I might be able to do the clutch next week or maybe the week after, if it works out for you of course.

if yes then I will go ahead and order a clutch maybe today or tomorrow.

oh, sweet, i will let you know when i get the flywheel, and then i will see when we can install it, thanks a lot mr hill

I just had that nitrous install this past weekend and nothing else scheduled. With my plans to move to AZ stalled until next Fall I am able to start doing jobs all over the place if the work makes the trip cost-effective for myself and my client(s).

When will you have the *new and shinny* Radiator for M/T ?

if its *coming soon* then maybe I'll just wait for that and do it with the Clutch install at the same time. I think my clutch can hold on till then ...

but if it gets too cold (happening now actually), maybe we can wait till it gets a little warmer. its like damn 40 degrees today :( , and I dont think you want to work outside when its like 30 degrees.

The counter-balance built into the rear automatic counterweight or manual shift flywheel are different and that corresponds to a difference in the counter-balance of the stock automatic and manual shift front counterweights. If you get the ACT counterweight for the RX8, it is custom balanced for proper balance when used with the stock MANUAL SHIFT front counterweight. Otherwise, technically you should change to the automatic front counterweight at the same time you change to the automatic rear counterweight. Most people use the stock RX8 automatic counterweight and there doesn't seem to be a major problem, but we have tesed them and the balance is definitely different.

There is a Manual counter weight ? hmm ...

So does that mean I can order the ACT counter weight and then use it with my Fidanza ?

im confused from ACTmans post

Charles is correct. It makes no difference what flywheel you use as long as it fits the Mazda counterweight. As he said, there is no apparent or severe vibration if you use the stock c-weight so there is no need for alarm. Knowing what we know about the correct balance though, we didn't feel right about leaving it when we had in our ability the means to make it right.

Dirk, how much weight did you guys need to shave to make it exact? I don't need to know from where, I am just generally curious. Besides, I may need to revise the advise I give others.

BTW, with my solid motor mounts if I had vibration issues I definitely know about them.As I recall the difference between the automatic counterweight and the manual shift flywheel is about 3.15 oz inches. To give you an idea how much that is, we balance all of our clutches and flywheels within .25 oz inch and usually factory parts are balanced within about .50 oz inch.

Basically both the counterbalance built into the front and corresponding rear counterweight is greater on the automatic engine for some reason. In simple terms, we end up taking weight off the big hunk of metal hanging off-center on the stock counterweight. By doing that it then duplicates the amount of counterbalance normally built into the manual shift flywheel. I would be glad to discuss more particulars with you if you want to drop me an email.

Mr. Hill...am I correct to assume that you do travel and work on people's 8's???

If so, I may have some work for you. Not only the clutch/flywheel change out, but I'm thinking of the Racing Beat Ram Air install. Also, I am wondering about suspension...but with the upcoming snowfalls, I'm thinking of waiting a bit on that since I don't wish to turn my 8 into a snowplow...

Hit me up anytime...thanks.

its not free, but he doesnt charge much at all compared to what shops would