are there any downsides to a lightened flywheel?
10-19-2009, 09:25 PM
#26
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10-19-2009, 10:35 PM
#27
i honestly didnt really notice a difference.
i dont regret it. and (afaik) being the only person who has replaced his friction surface on the bhr flywheel, and therefore having paid the MOST anyone has for their bhr flywheel i STILL DONT regret it. but i really dont notice that much of a difference. anyone want a bhr friction surface? only 4k miles. uh.. $90! shipped. its a deal. i swear.
i hit the 1/4 mile with it, but i was having launch problems that day so i cant tell you if it helps. but i know it cant hurt.
one of these weekends i'll go back and post up some real data. im still getting used to launching my 4 puck clutch. hopefully in 2 or 3 weeks. maybe.
edit: also, mysql beat me to the punch. i was going to post that exact link.
i dont regret it. and (afaik) being the only person who has replaced his friction surface on the bhr flywheel, and therefore having paid the MOST anyone has for their bhr flywheel i STILL DONT regret it. but i really dont notice that much of a difference. anyone want a bhr friction surface? only 4k miles. uh.. $90! shipped. its a deal. i swear.
i hit the 1/4 mile with it, but i was having launch problems that day so i cant tell you if it helps. but i know it cant hurt.
one of these weekends i'll go back and post up some real data. im still getting used to launching my 4 puck clutch. hopefully in 2 or 3 weeks. maybe.
edit: also, mysql beat me to the punch. i was going to post that exact link.
Last edited by kersh4w; 10-19-2009 at 11:02 PM.
10-19-2009, 11:31 PM
#30
clutch? flywheel? that is not in reference to my post is it? launching with the bhr flywheel is absolutely no different than the stock flywheel. launching a 4 puck clutch on the other hand... ehh.. that changes things.
10-20-2009, 01:01 AM
#31
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BTW I should point out. My opinions were formed from working on a car that had a different combination of clutch/flywheel on it at least once a month for a couple of years. I had my drivetrain apart every other weekened and liked to try things out while I had it apart. I used stock C5 clutch, Z06 clutch, Spec stage 1, Spec stage 3(puck style) and Spec Stage 3+(full faced disc). Flywheels were Stock(24lbs), Fidanza aluminum(12.5lbs) and Billet steel one(17lbs) cant remember the brand offhand. I had those parts on the car in nearly every possible combination. Still have several of the parts in boxes in my garage. This car was tracked extensively as well as driven to work every day(when it was together :P).
Last edited by Mawnee; 10-20-2009 at 01:46 AM.
10-20-2009, 06:24 AM
#32
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10-20-2009, 10:08 PM
#34
i cant really agree with you, relative to the rx8, mawnee.
i have the lightest flywheel out there. 8.98lbs. bhr. and the act 4 puck clutch. both are really aggressive.
and it really does not feel that much different from stock. the difference is not huge. i was actually expecting something a bit more dramatic. it BARELY chatters. i mean BARELY. and i generally start off at 1500rpm. it goes to 1200-1100rpm and then starts climbing again. in fact, it goes the point that i sometimes doubt whether or not the dealership really installed my clutch and flywheel. or if they just sold them and put in stock stuff. heh.
i can cruise in traffic in 4th gear. at 1100 rpms. without bogging the engine. im just not expecting any large amounts of acceleration. but it will keep steady and slowly accelerate without bogging.
you are welcome to come drive my car. or be at least be a passenger.
i have the lightest flywheel out there. 8.98lbs. bhr. and the act 4 puck clutch. both are really aggressive.
and it really does not feel that much different from stock. the difference is not huge. i was actually expecting something a bit more dramatic. it BARELY chatters. i mean BARELY. and i generally start off at 1500rpm. it goes to 1200-1100rpm and then starts climbing again. in fact, it goes the point that i sometimes doubt whether or not the dealership really installed my clutch and flywheel. or if they just sold them and put in stock stuff. heh.
i can cruise in traffic in 4th gear. at 1100 rpms. without bogging the engine. im just not expecting any large amounts of acceleration. but it will keep steady and slowly accelerate without bogging.
you are welcome to come drive my car. or be at least be a passenger.
10-20-2009, 11:54 PM
#35
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I've already stated repeatedly.....I dont believe this would be an issue on the Rx8. We dont make nearly enough horsepower, use clutches agressive enough or start with a 24lb flywheel. I was just pointing out the issue that arises on some cars with lightened flywheels as an example of what CAN happen.
This is all kind of moot though. As I said, on an Rx8 with a stock or near stock clutch it will never be an issue. We arent using clutches with 850ft/lbs of grabbing force here
A lightwieght flywheel will definetly change the way the car feels to you, and most agree its for the better
Last edited by Mawnee; 10-20-2009 at 11:59 PM.
10-21-2009, 10:53 AM
#36
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The answer to the question is, "it depends on what you're using the car for." If it's your run-of-the-mill street car that won't see any serious straight-line, then a nice, steel lightweight flywheel will be nice. As stated already, it reduces deceleration time in-between gear shifts. It'll also add some "spice and spunk" to the car. If the car is being built for straight-line, use a heavy flywheel. The heavier the flywheel, the more inertia it will have, therefore the easier it is to launch from the tree with more target-RPM consistency. Been there, done that. Also, for those considering a high overlap setup later, I don't recommend a lighter than stock flywheel as the driveline will thrash quite a bit at lower RPM's in taller gears.
B
Also, for those considering a high overlap setup later, I don't recommend a lighter than stock flywheel as the driveline will thrash quite a bit at lower RPM's in taller gears.B
10-21-2009, 11:18 AM
#37
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Ray,
On a related topic, is there a way to determine if a non-stock clutch/flywheel is on your 8 without taking down the transmission? There is starting to be some suspicion that mine isn't stock, and I got it used so the possibility exists, even if it is unlikely.
On a related topic, is there a way to determine if a non-stock clutch/flywheel is on your 8 without taking down the transmission? There is starting to be some suspicion that mine isn't stock, and I got it used so the possibility exists, even if it is unlikely.
10-21-2009, 11:57 AM
#38
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Pics of in the starter mounting hole?
I am not going into the reasoning publicly yet, because if I don't, it will probably start a fairly massive debate with a ton of theorycrafting and no hard facts. I'll send a PM.
I am not going into the reasoning publicly yet, because if I don't, it will probably start a fairly massive debate with a ton of theorycrafting and no hard facts. I'll send a PM.
10-21-2009, 03:07 PM
#39
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So, does practical application matter to anyone around here or are we going to simply praise views that are based on theoreticals?
There are hundreds of us over the past 6 years who have installed lightweight flywheels from 9.0-9.8 pounds, both aluminum and chrome-moly, offered by ACT, Fidanza, BHR, SR Motorsports, SPEC, and probably many others, and 99.9% of us have reported positive results in using them.
I have, myself, installed probably 10-12 flywheels (could be more, really) and witnessed the results firsthand and guided the owners on how to properly adjust their clutch and gas pedal techniques to accomodate lower-mass systems. In only ONE case did the driver not like the difference and that was simply a personal preference and he admitted as such. The rest of us who drove his car had no issues and it drove nearly stock-like. This car even had the BHR/SPEC Lightweight Clutch Kit (which removes ANOTHER 3.8 lbs.) and I could easily get the car up a rather steep and long incline with no issues whatsoever.
In the RX-8 community we have very few mods that deliver worthwhile results and to think that we are going to start questioning the validity of one of the few that actually delivers results after so much time and so many satisfied users is ridiculous.
There are hundreds of us over the past 6 years who have installed lightweight flywheels from 9.0-9.8 pounds, both aluminum and chrome-moly, offered by ACT, Fidanza, BHR, SR Motorsports, SPEC, and probably many others, and 99.9% of us have reported positive results in using them.
I have, myself, installed probably 10-12 flywheels (could be more, really) and witnessed the results firsthand and guided the owners on how to properly adjust their clutch and gas pedal techniques to accomodate lower-mass systems. In only ONE case did the driver not like the difference and that was simply a personal preference and he admitted as such. The rest of us who drove his car had no issues and it drove nearly stock-like. This car even had the BHR/SPEC Lightweight Clutch Kit (which removes ANOTHER 3.8 lbs.) and I could easily get the car up a rather steep and long incline with no issues whatsoever.
In the RX-8 community we have very few mods that deliver worthwhile results and to think that we are going to start questioning the validity of one of the few that actually delivers results after so much time and so many satisfied users is ridiculous.
10-21-2009, 11:10 PM
#40
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The best thing about a lightweight flywheel I've realized. It forced me to realize I wasn't as good a driver as I was. And that has made me focus on clutch finesse and driving technique.
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