Lighter Flywheel
 

After doing a search, I've tried to come up with some good flywheels for the 8. I know of Racing Beats and Mazdaspeeds. From what I did in research, the Mazdaspeed is made of a stronger material called Chromoly yet it is heavier material than the aluminum made Racing Beat.

I've also heard never to go lighter than 50% of the stock flywheel and I was also reading about a counter-weight but I don't really understand that. Does the counterweight come with these kits or is it something we need to buy seperatly.

Anyways, if someone could guide me to basically the "best" flywheel for our 8, I'd appreciate it, and for those who has a lighter flywheel, if you want to talk about the affect it's had on your car, I'd appreciate it :-)

Ended up with the ACT Prolite Flywheel, which comes with its own counterweight.

One of the lightest currently available, and quite glad to have it -- no regrets. It really transforms the car in 1st thru 3rd gears.

Getting used to it took me all of a couple days.

Where did you pick that up from? Btw..told you they had it H.H. :D

rx7.com sell the ACT flywheels WITH counterweights. Be careful on eBay though because most DON'T come with a counterweight. If you buy the counterweight separetly, then you are back up to the cost you pay at rx7.com. I may be wrong, but I think the counterweight from Mazda is about $130.

BTW, I'm not affiliated with rx7.com and I am sure there are others that sell flywheels with counterweights.

I have not had the flywheel installed yet. Does anybody have instructions for how to install the counterweight?

rx7.com sell them for $400+shipping, with flywheel and counter weight.

Also, whats the advantage of getting a new clutch, and at this moment do I need to upgrade it? Is the ACT prolite flywheel going to be the best flywheel for the 8? Also, where can I find the counterweight and flywheel together for the best price? It seems like all the ACT prolite flywheels comes without the counterweight.

I have the SR Motorsports unit on mine. Very nice, but I think it was a bit deceptive in that it doesn't come with a counterweight. If I had to do it all over again I would have done the Racing Beat unit. They have units from Mazdaspeed, Unorthodox Racing, & ACT as well.

Just be aware that this is a pretty labor intensive upgrade. it's not like swaping your air intake. This requires dropping your tranny. Not really an "in your driveway" type of upgrade, unless you are a very good mechanic. Just letting you know.

My ACT flywheel was purchased through Mazcare in Marietta GA
www.mazcare.com Ask for Charlie -- he knows rotarys, and owns an RX-8. Nice guy.

Originally I purchased a Racing Beat Flywheel, however they shipped me the wrong one (for the turbo RX-7), which has a smaller diameter. But I'm actually glad it worked out this way, because the ACT is lighter, giving me more useable power than the RB. In speaking to RB, they are currently designing a lighter weight flywheel to better compete with the ACT.

Fanman -- my flywheel install actually WAS done in the driveway, on jack stands. Total replacement (2 people) took 5 hours.

That's what I mean by labor intensive, and you have to have a decent mechanical knowledge. Not saying it can't be done, but 10 hours (2 x 5) is pretty intensive. Most other mods (air intake, hi-flow cat, cat back exhaust, etc.) each take about 1 hour. This is not an easy mod for most people.

can anyone point me to a flywheel diy?

^ i dont think one exsists.... unless you know how and have the means to take the engine out of your car, i dont think you can DIY.

gotta take it to someone to get it done.... any tranny shop would be able to do it

I actually just got the ACT setup(Clutch, Flywheel and Pressure Plate) installed today. Cant really push it until I get a couple hundred miles on the car. But I can tell a difference already.

How much did it cost for installation?

Around $300. Plus they did the installation super fast. These guys really knew what they were doing. I was in at about 9:15am and got out around 11am! :D

Geez!

$300 for installing clutch, flywheel and pressure plate? I wish install prices in California were like that!

Werd. I figured if I wanted that done it would come in at about double that.

That is super low, and super fast. Most places are double that. They really must have known what they were doing, and/or done this job several times before.

I think everything from SR Motorsports is a bit deceptive :rolleyes: except the midpipe...maybe

It was a little more than 300. More like in between 300-400 but still a good price. Excuse me on my previous post, I think it was more towards $400 for installation. And those guys do seem like they know what their doing. Plus they had a yellow RX8 in there getting a whole bunch of shit done to it. Turbo and everything! Oh and they had several very very nice RX7's around the shop! I was very surprised at how fast they got it done as well. But if its done right I don't care how long or fast it gets done. Just as long as it gets done right. No problems so far(knock on wood). Plus I like the fact that they keep their shop clean.Heres were I got it done http://www.pfsupercars.com/

Drivetrain related parts on mine are dealer installed MS ones. I did not want to rock the boat to much because of the tranny issues over the last two years.

got mine installed for 380.

iZoomZoomi

Where did you get yours installed and what flywheel do you have? For those who have the flywheels, did you feel any difference in the car and what flywheel do you have and what do you think is a good weight for it? I heard that a lighter fly wheel is the best kind of mod you will do to your 8 for the N/A cars.

Also, won't this help make your car quicker whenever I do go FI cause it will rev faster and get into the spool range faster right?

I have the ACT clutch, flywheel and pressure plate. The new flywheel crabs(catches) faster and it does rev faster as well. I love it! :D

Ok, so I have the following option.

ACT Pro-lite Flywheel $384 with counterweight + $350 install from Rotary Extreme
Racing Beat Aluminum Flywheel $455 with everything +$365 install from Rotor Sport

Which one should I go with? Any other flywheel suggestions are welcomed.

http://www.rx7store.net/product_p/proliterx8.htm (check out the the flywheel (act prolite with the counterweight - 360)


**Includes Mazda Counterweight** The Aluminum Flywheel has a tuft-rided steel friction surface for long life. Intended primarily for road racing and rallying, this kit reduces the flywheel weight up to 55 percent of the original, and reduces the flywheel inertia up to 80 percent of the original which allows the engine to rev faster. The ring gear is bolted in place for security. The kit includes the rear balance weight and all the hardware necessary for installation