Im looking into replacing my clutch in the next few months and would like some advice on an aftermarket flywheel. I'm pretty sure I'll be going with an ACT HDSS clutch kit. I have entertained the Idea of changing the flywheel to a lightweight version. I dont have alot of mods other that the typical intake/exhaust and a few others but there are some coming in the future. I do a little track time and quite abit of street racing with the car.


Question 1: Other than ACT, What are some good choices out there?
Question 2: What is the weight of the factory flywheel and does it use a counterweight? Ive heard 27lbs, 23lbs, and 17lbs
Question 3: Can I expext a lightweight flywheel to hold up for daily driving?
Question 4: Is there enough difference in performance thats its really worth changing?

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

The OEM flywheel has its counterweight "built in" to itself.

 

1. BHR makes a good one from what i've been told. I ordered one as well as the ACT counterweight from BHR. It weighs 9.0lbs including counterweight I believe.

2. Weight of the OEM flywheel is 17lbs with counterweight. The counterweight is built into the flywheel which is why you have to order the counterweight seperate from the flywheel.

3. A few people I know have lightweight flywheels. A mustang gt, that ive driven many times and a boosted B18 civic that I have driven a few times. Both the owners have no complaints with the flywheel and have had no problems. A good thing about the BHR flywheel is that you can get new face plates for them if you need it. Most flywheels aren't like that.

4. The owner of the mustang said it was the best mod he has done to his car. I drove it before and after flywheel and the difference in acceleration was awesome. Rpm's climbed so much quicker. It took more power to get the car moving but once it was going the ole butt dyno said it felt a small bump in power.

 

This will help. (helped me)

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/flywheel-flywheels-flywheels-90143/

 

If the stock flywheel weighs 17lbs whats the advantage of a 12.5lb lightweight ACT Streetlite flywheel with a 4lb counterweight?

Would the ACT Prolite thats 9.8lbs hold up under daily driving?And still its only 3lbs difference with the counterweight. I know rotational mass equals out to be 10 times its actual weight but it just doesnt add up. Unless the advertised weight includes the add on counterweight.

I want something that makes a difference but will still get around the same miles as a stock flywheel. I dont want to have to pull the tranny out every 20,000 miles to replace a flywheel that weighs around the same but looks better.

Thanks for the info, looks like I found the right place to ask about this.

 

You will not get much of a difference, even with a 8lbs one. it will spin up a bit faster but its also much easier to lose rpm.

Do you know what the counter weight is for ? if you know you shouldn't ask whats the point of getting a 12.1 lbs FW.

I have a 9 lbs Fidanza. its a bit faster, but seriously, not that much of a difference. and Im planning to go back to Mazdaspeed FW whenever I have a chance to take my Tranny down. 2 reasons - better for driving on the streets + 1 piece design

 

Thanx for all the info. Sounds like I'll probably just resurface the stock flywheel. If it did make a difference like it usually does on other cars, which have heavier stock flywheels, it might be worth it. Close to $400 for very little gain doesnt seem worth it. I've done that too many times on this car already.

Again, thanks everyone for your help!!!!

 

Im still thinking about it and actually leaning more to the lightweight wheel. With the weight being relocated to the center verus the outer rim for the stock one it seems more like the equivilant of a flywheel weighing atleast double that of the lightweight wheel. The only complaint Ive ever had about the car is the long rev up in first gear, Im not worried too much about the faster down rev, I usually shift the car pretty hard so I dont see that as much an issue.

It sucks because I dont know anyone that has this done (hell I dont even know another RX-8 owner) so I cant try it out for my self, and watching a video doesnt do it for me. There are too many variables to taking off to really trust a video.

 

Flywheel is not that noticeable on NA cars, and also because our flywheel is so light already. It is not a great investment to change by itself, if you are doing clutch job you could through it in. it is same as buying some lighter rims, it pick up speed a little faster. The only bad thing is it use more gas to keep the car at speed, because the rotating mass of the crank shaft is less, so it require more energy to keep it spinning at the same speed and going up hill.

 

Good info to consider. If and when I'll be doing the flywheel will be when I do the clutch.

Thanx Winning 8

 

If you can find someone with a lightweight flywheel and let them give you some time behind the wheel I bet that would help you with your decision making process.

People who say they don't make a difference haven't been in an 8 with one, or were told it was a LWFW when it wasnt.

 

I got a NA 88 RX-7 and my friend have a 89 turbo II. we both change to a light weight Racing Beat flywheel. My 7 is a little faster, you feel most on the initial WOT, but my friend turbo II feel like a total different car. I am not here to argue, just telling it from my personal experience. I maybe wrong, because it is a different car.....

 

Thing is I dont know anyone with a RX-8. So theres no chance in trying one out. I would love to but it isnt an option. I'm not going to put one in til I do a clutch in it. That way I'm not pulling the tranny just to do it. With the cost of the flywheel not being terribly high Ill probably put one in it.