brightnova

Yesterday I had an ACT Prolite installed. That’s the one that weighs under 10 lbs. I had been going back and forth on this one for a while because of the 'drivability' issues that people ad commented on. Nonetheless, I forged ahead and had it installed ($290 for installation). I bought it from www.rx7.com.

First off, I am loving the new driving experience. It is not as huge as I thought it would be. However, it certainly makes a difference.

I was expecting to drive away from the shop where I had the installation done with a red face because of stalling the car and revving like an idiot. But instead I drove the car around yesterday and this morning and (fingers crossed) not one stall yet. No silly mistakes. I’m sure a lot of the bad things you hear about lightened flywheels are people who have not had them installed.

So with that in mind I want to address a few things that get thrown around on this forum regarding lightweight flywheels. First, you do not need to rev much higher. As you let the clutch out when setting off, you might press the throttle a little harder, but the revs are controlled by the clutch so they do not climb high. Going up a hill does not cause you to stall. Driving around parking lots just requires you to use the clutch a little more (like fully depressing over speed bumps). Put simply, your unconsciousness figures out what to do within a matter of seconds from getting in the car. I was not sat there watching my revs while slipping the clutch, double checking my revs, bit more clutch, etc…

All in all, a much racier experience. Happy to say that drivability is not compromised (especially to the extent that some people talk about). The only negative so far is that the car seems to idle a little worse. But I want to emphasize the work ‘little’. I’m mentioning it in the spirit of being balanced – it really is the only negative, and you can hardly notice it.

One other thing to add. I was originally concerned that the mechanic that would do the work would not know what to do with the counterweight. I need not have been concerned. It cannot be installed incorrectly because it is ‘keyed’ to only fit one way.

Everyone who wants more throttle response, a livelier car, should get one!!!

TownDrunk

I wondered about this myself. Hopping in one car like my friends Mustang and feeling the clutch action there, then hopping in my '8 and feeling the clutch action there you certainly "aclimatize" rather quickly. I figured it would be the same for a lighter flywheel, but was still unsure. Thanks for the writeup. It's a big help for someone like me who is considering a light flywheel, but unsure how light is too light.

brightnova

Well I think I have the lightest - and I would have gone lighter. I only have about two hours driving experience - if that with the new flywheel and I am right at home. I was right at home within minutes.

Becasue of some of the comments on the forum I really was expecting to feel like a novice driver again while getting used to it. Never happened!

Its Fun. Its Easy. Its faster! All smiles here :D

max5roadster

I went from a stock (IIRC) 18# to a 7#'er in my miata, and was right at home in about 20 seconds of driving! Never stalled, never stuttered, but it made a great improvement in every aspect of the cars behavior! I was saving for the prolite, too. Glad to hear all is well!

mikeschaefer

according to Gran Turismo 4: lightened flywheels can have negative impact when driving up hills... if that counts for anything :p

LiL BenNy

HAHAH thats funny

ddub

I've had an aluminum flywheel on my 2nd gen RX7 for over a year. I daily drive it to college and live in a neighborhood at the bottom of a big hill.

It took about 30 seconds to get used to it like it was stock, except that driving was a LOT more fun now. I have no regrets, it's incredibly easy and fun, and I will be putting on the ACT prolite on my rx8 some day.