A little background first..... I've owned 15+ rotary powered vehicles, have built 25+ motors (stock, ported, etc). I have been a Racing Beat customer for 20 years now. They have always given excellent customer service and great products.

Last weekend I installed the Racing Beat aluminum flywheel. It is part number 11468 and costs $455 plus shipping. The kit includes the counterweight, flywheel and high quality hardware. I used the stock clutch disc(which is an Exedy) and pressure plate.

I've been using Racing Beat aluminum flywheels for the last 15 years on my daily drivers (multiple RX-3's and RX-7's). There are so many benefits (that have already been discussed) by running a light flywheel. The lower inertia frees up horsepower, it's easier on the transmission/driveline and is just more fun in general. A light flywheel also less demanding on the clutch and pressure plate.

Any urban legends of aluminum flywheels not being streetable completely confuse me. Every single person that I know who has an aluminum flywheel loves it. In fact, an RX-7 friend upgraded from a light steel to an aluminum and is absolutely thrilled with it.

The only place an aluminum flywheel is at a disadvantage is at the dragstrip if you are running full race slicks. Otherwise, it has no other downsides.

Driving impressions:
The car feels more responsive and lighter. My wife, who has never driven an aluminum flywheel before, had no trouble at all driving it. She didn't change her driving technique and didn't stall it, in fact, she is very happy with the 'feel' and extra acceleration that it gives with everyday driving.

The good: more fun, better feel, better acceleration, longer transmission/synchro life, longer driveline (u-joints, rear end) life due to lower shock loads and theoretically better gas mileage.

The bad: I broke a sweat installing it. If you have the ability and tools to install it yourself, do it. My local dealer quoted $470 for the install, which is probably a fair price.

This really is a cost effective upgrade that really has no negatives.

Great review, dvcn. Thanks!

is this out? i don't see it on their website?

Man i want that. Wish i had the racing beat hookup.

Thanks alot for the write up!!! I am definately going to upgrade to a light flywheel, just haven't decided which one to get.

hrm 470 a fair charge for labor ?? the closest dealer in my area is charging 500.00 from what I read from other members that its only a 3 hour job (max)...i might be totally off but i think 300-350 would be a fair charge...

Racing Beat hookup? Just call them up and they will ship it out. I just happened to ask about it when I was ordering my oil cooler screens and sway bar.

I fully admit that I am biased towards Racing Beat because in my 20 years of buying from them, they have sold quality parts with good service. But, here are more reasons to go with the RB unit:

-At $455 I believe it is a deal, especially compared to competitors at hundreds more.

-The flywheel is proven. This RB flywheel (also used on the RX-7's - 2nd gen and 3rd gen turbos) has been used on many vehicles with no problems.

-It is light. I used two scales (both of which were not NIST certified so don't sue me) and the flywheel itself is right around 8lbs and the counterweight is just over 3 1/2 lbs. So, the total weight is in the 11 1/2 to 12lb range.

-RB has been around for 33 years, has strong factory ties and consistently develops good products.


Also forgot to mention that for those who are aluma-phobics, they do sell a light steel flywheel kit (part number 11467) for $390. I really suggest just going with the aluminum for maximum benefits.

Any idea what the steel version weighs? I wonder if they would have any comments on the whole counterweight issue raised by ACTMan on another thread, and which caused lots of...errr...discussion. :D

jds

I think I'm gonna go with the Unorthodox Racing one when it comes out...

dvcn,

It is probably too late but can we get a picture of it?

One thing that also MUST be a benefit is less gyroscopic effects. That alone should make the car feel lighter and more eager to turn.

-Mr. Wigggles

Originally posted by MrWigggles
dvcn,

It is probably too late but can we get a picture of it?

One thing that also MUST be a benefit is less gyroscopic effects. That alone should make the car feel lighter and more eager to turn.

-Mr. Wigggles LOL! Man, you have a dry sense of humor! :D

i am seriously considering the mod but im thinkin i should wait for a sport clutch and do it all together wouldn't that make sense?

Man the more I hear about these light flywheels the more I want one. It does seem reasonable to replace the clutch etc if you do the wheel. This is probaly a silly question but does the A/C pull the motor down a little more with the lighter wheel?
Would the mazda speed wheel be just as good(i like RB also) since it would not void warrety? Damn my wife is going to kill me~
olddragger

does the a/c pull down the engine a little more when you have a light wheel?
Olddragger

Originally posted by Silverarrow
is this out? i don't see it on their website? The part is going to be identical to the RX7 turbo flywheel so yes, it's out. As a matter of fact you might say the part was out before the RX8 was offered! The only difference will be in the balance of the counterweight.

Drove the car about 100 miles today with the AC on (mall parking lots, stop and go and highway). Didn't notice anything with the AC. I did notice that I downshifted a bit less when passing.

Look at the flywheels and clutches for the 2nd and 3rd gen on the Racing Beat site.

As far as the counterweight balance goes, I don't know what the story is. I am using the automatic Renesis couterweight. It is perfectly smooth at idle and feels as smooth and vibration free as the stock unit all the way up to the 9500rpm fuel cut.

You can upgrade your clutch and pressure plate if you want to but it isn't neccessary. When using the aluminum flywheel, the clutch/pp has a lot less of the flywheel inertia to fight, so the stock clutch/pp becomes more effective. If you do want to upgrade the clutch you can get one from just about any of the big manufacturers.

After driving the car for a week after the install my wife adds: "Why does anyone think that it is difficult to drive an aluminum flywheel?"

Upon reading through their website, this kind of makes me onder. Is this true of all aluminum flywheels? Not that i am worried about the 10,500 rpm limit, but i don't like having to install the scattershield and blanket since we redline at 9k.

"WARNING: None of the Flywheel or Clutch components shown in this catalog should ever be allowed to exceed 10,500 RPM under any condition. This same RPM limit applies to stock components. You must use an engine RPM-limiter to prevent excessive RPM. If your engine is capable of exceeding 8,500 RPM you must install a transmission scatter shield, or ballistic blanket. Failure to implement the above may result in serious injury or even death. "

Originally posted by Silverarrow
Upon reading through their website, this kind of makes me onder. Is this true of all aluminum flywheels? Not that i am worried about the 10,500 rpm limit, but i don't like having to install the scattershield and blanket since we redline at 9k.

"WARNING: None of the Flywheel or Clutch components shown in this catalog should ever be allowed to exceed 10,500 RPM under any condition. This same RPM limit applies to stock components. You must use an engine RPM-limiter to prevent excessive RPM. If your engine is capable of exceeding 8,500 RPM you must install a transmission scatter shield, or ballistic blanket. Failure to implement the above may result in serious injury or even death. " I am sure the warning is not because of the flywheel. We have done testing on these clutches for SFI certification purposes and the cover stamping will blow apart before anything else. Since the rotary has so much potential for rpm, warnings are necessary.

If you didn't get the kit through Racing Beat (their counterweights for the RX-8 aren't available yet), where did you purchase it?!

A note on rpm potential; I know for a fact that aluminum flys will withstand 11,500 rpm. I did it on my 8 with an SR Motorsports flywheel and ACT clutch ass'y.

Charles

Damn! How did you do 11,500 rpm on your 8? (How'd you measure that too) Did you miss a gear?