Lighter Flywheel (? more trips to Citgo)
 

Would a lighter flywheel that decelerates quicker, decrease gas mileage even further because of fuel consumption dynamics? Less torque at low rpms requires downshift to increase speed and flywheel speed, right/?. So if your revs fall quicker would less engine resistance increase or decrease fuel delivery... for everyday driving? With a lighter fw on board... if you didn't drive the 8 in the rpms of 4-9k consistently would you be wasting fuel? I am at work and have entirely too much time on my hands. Just curiously about what the readers and drivers consider (to do or not to do The FLYWHEEL change in the 8)? Thanks PS you can be in workplace and not at work :)

I've had a mazdaspeed flywheel for over 5000 miles now. I commute about 75 miles a day and I really haven't noticed any changes in fuel consumption. I think that the flywheel was the best thing I've done to the car so far.

A lighter flywheel presents a lesser load on the engine, hence the quicker revving. If there is less kinetic energy absorbed by the fly, there is more that can be used to move the car. In short, a lighter fly leads to a more efficient drivetrain. Heavier flywheels are used to make a car more appealing and drivable for those people who have little experience with performance driving. Technically, a lighter fly should give us higher mpg's., although I have yet to notice a difference either way.

Charles

stellar fellar
 

Thanks so much for answering my questin dijour. Charles would you recommend this upgrade for the money? Also would this void the warranty if done at mazda dealer with Mazdaspeed product? Best regards...

RZDW

A light flywheel is awesome, but really isn't a lot of bang for the buck. It's expensive, and pretty involved to install. IMHO a light flywheel is $150 worth of benefit that costs $400 and it's a pain to put on the car.

Most times you end up doing it "while you're in there" - doing a clutch job, you have the motor out, etc.

Dale

Actually, in retrospect, the fly/clutch wasn't that difficult to do. Although it seems not much "bang for the buck" it is a modification that has greater benefits the more you mod your car. What I mean is that to put a light fly on a stock engine will yield a minor benefit. Put one on an engine that has been modified in other ways, and the benefits are magnified. The more you can make the driveline invisible to the engine, so to speak, the better for your performance. If one isn't familiar with performance modifications from previous exercises, I wouldn't suggest a flywheel as a project they would fully enjoy. On the other hand, the reason flys have received so much attention around here is because we don't have much else offered yet. Unless you want to pull your engine, you are stuck with exterior bolt-on mods.

Charles

What can a 8 driver do to acheive 1.0g+ on their car? Could be be done on the all new 8, given the time and the money?

Personally for myself the nimble handling of this car is my favorite part! However to achieve 1.0+ on sub30k car and one that nonetheless redlines at 9k.. Bienvenidos a la rotores!!!

I don't have a lighter flywheel yet, but I heard a lot of people were very happy and noticed quite a bit of difference. 1.0g+ that's something! Mucho track time. I agree about the nimble handling and go cart type tossing of the car as a favorite, if you want a thrill with a quick burst of speed a bike is a good way to do it and you can tow it along with the 8!

JIC has already managed 1.0G with their coilovers, RB swaybars, and I forget what tires. It is in one of the newer import mags.

last month's SCC

So Cool!