Flywheel flywheels flywheels.
#554
Automatic vs. manual for flywheels?
Does one need to be looking at any specific flywheels for an automatic, or will they all pretty much have the same effect as on a standard transmission?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#557
#558
No respecter of malarkey
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I recently checked back in on this, as ACT's prices have increased dramatically for 2014, and all model years of the A/T RX-8 (whether 4-port or 6-port) use the N3Z2-11-52X counterweight. This seems to demonstrate to me that Mazda has no concern about the issues the rest of us have had for years. I still offer both the "52X" and the ACT CW03 on my website for those with a preference.
#560
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So essentially, when we purchase a flywheel and CW set, we should go and get the CW balanced at a shop anyways? For instance, even if I was to get a Mazdaspeed flywheel (which comes with the counterweight), I should get the CW balanced, despite it being a Mazdaspeed product?
#562
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#563
Zoom Zoom Boom
iTrader: (5)
Have to say it , as some one who has been there and gone back............. LW Flys rank right up there with the short shifter ... waaaaay overrated ! Worthwhile on a racetrack for heel toe shifting, noticeable in 1st gear , barely noticeable in 2nd . Overall performance increase ....stuff all .
The placebo effect is strong in this thread.
The placebo effect is strong in this thread.
#564
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Going to have to agree with this. Just installed my Racing Beat aluminum flywheel along with an Exedy OE replacement clutch. The car is definitely more responsive, but only for the first couple of gears... It's not all cracked up to be, but I find it more fun to drive Lol.
With a balanced assembly and a light flywheel they spin up so much faster than with a stock flywheel
I wouldn't give mine back for anything
It isn't a horsepower producing mod though for those searching for numbers ;-)
#565
Zoom Zoom Boom
iTrader: (5)
Originally Posted by dannobre
Originally Posted by Jazzmeson ?
Going to have to agree with this. Just installed my Racing Beat aluminum flywheel along with an Exedy OE replacement clutch. The car is definitely more responsive, but only for the first couple of gears... It's not all cracked up to be, but I find it more fun to drive Lol.
It is a lot easier to shift at high RPM's...and easier on the transmission if you shift it wrong ;-)
With a balanced assembly and a light flywheel they spin up so much faster than with a stock flywheel
I wouldn't give mine back for anything
It isn't a horsepower producing mod though for those searching for numbers ;-)
Going to have to agree with this. Just installed my Racing Beat aluminum flywheel along with an Exedy OE replacement clutch. The car is definitely more responsive, but only for the first couple of gears... It's not all cracked up to be, but I find it more fun to drive Lol.
It is a lot easier to shift at high RPM's...and easier on the transmission if you shift it wrong ;-)
With a balanced assembly and a light flywheel they spin up so much faster than with a stock flywheel
I wouldn't give mine back for anything
It isn't a horsepower producing mod though for those searching for numbers ;-)
Posted From RX8Club.com Android App
#566
So my novice question here is , are all counterweights the same? They all seem same shape and weight, what if any are the difference between all the counterweights available? Recently purchased xtreme flywheel fmz004cl at 4.31kg(9.6lb) but counterweight was unavailable and have ordered something i think "fits" however have probly ended up with a nice paperweight
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Phreakapotamus (08-12-2020)
#568
The one i ordered fits Prolite, EFT, ACT and Fidanza which got me thinking they were basically the same. Mazda OEM parts over here are crazily priced Team unfortunately.
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Wow, I haven't seen this thread come up in a long time. The short answer is no they are not the same. I don't have time to review the 500+ posts so I will just re-post our findings for the RX8 counterweight:
1. All RX2-RX8 counterweights will bolt up the same but counterweight amounts vary greatly.
2. The RX8 automatic rear counterweight has a different amount of unbalance than the manual shift flywheel.
3. The RX8 front counterweight (counteracts the rear counterweight by being 180 degrees on the shaft) is different on the manual shift than the automatic.
4. Although not proven detrimental to the engine, IMO the correct course of action is to either change both front and rear counterweights to automatic counterweights or match the balance of the rear counterweight to the manual shift flywheel (which is what ACT does).
Phreakapotamus - Maybe I can help. Is it specifically for the RX8? If so they are all the same. If not, do you know the part number of the counterweight you purchased? Unfortunately it is not on the part, only on the packaging. I may be able to check records and tell how far off the balance is.
1. All RX2-RX8 counterweights will bolt up the same but counterweight amounts vary greatly.
2. The RX8 automatic rear counterweight has a different amount of unbalance than the manual shift flywheel.
3. The RX8 front counterweight (counteracts the rear counterweight by being 180 degrees on the shaft) is different on the manual shift than the automatic.
4. Although not proven detrimental to the engine, IMO the correct course of action is to either change both front and rear counterweights to automatic counterweights or match the balance of the rear counterweight to the manual shift flywheel (which is what ACT does).
Phreakapotamus - Maybe I can help. Is it specifically for the RX8? If so they are all the same. If not, do you know the part number of the counterweight you purchased? Unfortunately it is not on the part, only on the packaging. I may be able to check records and tell how far off the balance is.
#571
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iTrader: (25)
thanks for straightening this out, I’ve been incorrect on this point for a long time.
Which based on what a well known Renesis race engine builder told me; it’s all a crap shoot anyway without balancing the entire rotating assembly. Because based on his experience the component weights vary so much that the balance is often way off straight out of the factory. It’s one of the long term reliability issues with this engine. So for those people who choose to buy a factory rebuild engine rather than have it rebuilt, this is one thing you won’t get straightened out going that route.
Which based on what a well known Renesis race engine builder told me; it’s all a crap shoot anyway without balancing the entire rotating assembly. Because based on his experience the component weights vary so much that the balance is often way off straight out of the factory. It’s one of the long term reliability issues with this engine. So for those people who choose to buy a factory rebuild engine rather than have it rebuilt, this is one thing you won’t get straightened out going that route.
#572
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I have heard unlike earlier Mazda rotary engines which were balanced as an assembly, the Renesis is only component balanced then assembled using complimentary balanced components.
#573
From what I've been hearing the components aren't really self balanced either. I'm having to pull apart a new 21k mi engine with shot bearings likely due to poor balancing. Is it recommended to send in the counterweight AND flywheel for balancing? Are any of the flywheels decently self balanced to not need to be balanced again? I assume the stock flywheel was balanced from factory, I know my 85 rx-7 was, but I wouldn't be all that surprised anymore.
#574
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Kimura - Poor balancing should not lunch the bearings in 21k unless you are sitting on/near redline all the time.
Not sure what you mean by "self balanced" but my understanding is they would counteract the balance of one part (rotor for instance) with another part (the second rotor).
The OE flywheel is counterbalanced so there is no way to check except as an assembly. All aftermarket flywheels mount to the automatic counterweight and should be neutral balanced. If using an aftermarket flywheel, it should be balanced separately so parts can be changed later without major influence to the balanced engine. Not sure about other brands, but ACT has a maximum imbalance of .25 ounce inch. The clutch and flywheel can be done additionally to the assembly but position needs to be marked since the hole patterns are symmetrical.
Not sure what you mean by "self balanced" but my understanding is they would counteract the balance of one part (rotor for instance) with another part (the second rotor).
The OE flywheel is counterbalanced so there is no way to check except as an assembly. All aftermarket flywheels mount to the automatic counterweight and should be neutral balanced. If using an aftermarket flywheel, it should be balanced separately so parts can be changed later without major influence to the balanced engine. Not sure about other brands, but ACT has a maximum imbalance of .25 ounce inch. The clutch and flywheel can be done additionally to the assembly but position needs to be marked since the hole patterns are symmetrical.
#575
We will find out. I don't know how PO treated the engine but I only saw bearing material in the oil in the last 1k miles or so, rapidly progressing the last few months. If by near redline you mean above 6k then yes. By self balance I mean the rotors themselves allegedly are often poorly balanced on their own, let alone when balanced together with the rest of the assembly.