Lightening Flywheel - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

ninety_sixer · 02-17-2004, 05:43

Hey guys,
Just been doing a bit of reading and thinking, and i was contemplating getting my flywheel either lightened (machined) or replacing it.

Does anyone know any good people to ask to do this in the Geelong area?

Cause i've also read the downside of an improperly machined flywheel, flying off and breaking gear box and possible slicing of legs off! Doesn't sound much like fun, so any experience with good shops would be great.

Cheers,
Luke

WBT56 · 02-17-2004, 13:35

What engine? Why?

ninety_sixer · 02-17-2004, 17:10

Engine is 2.5L V6 found in Telstar TX5/626/Probe, 1992 model. KL03 is engine model number.
The idea of lightening the flywheel is to reduce the rotational weight to get better acceleration. From what i've read, the original flywheel weighs in at 24lb, which is a touch under 11kg. If you took 4-5kg of that rotational weight, it is equivalent to taking about 140kg off the cars weight in 1st gear, about 70kg in 2nd gear and minimal in 3rd, 4th and 5th gear.

There is 9lb aluminium flywheels available in US for about $400USD, but they are supposed to be hard to handle on an everyday basis, it's like learning to drive all over again with the clutch and throttle management.

Cheers,
Luke

WBT56 · 02-17-2004, 18:49

I know the reason for a lighter flywheel. I asked to see why YOU wanted to do it. It is a waste of time without doing serious engine mods, and generally produces idle and torque production issues if you go too far.

ninety_sixer · 02-18-2004, 03:52

No serious mods have been done yet, but it seems to be a simple way to produce better acceleration, especially for this engine. The power band is after 4000rpm, so i figured it would be better to get there quicker.
I wouldn't be going overboard in the lightening, like i said maybe 4kgs or so.

What sort of idle issues? It shouldn't have too much effect on the driveability of the car should it? And torque production issues i know about, but can't see it coming into play as i don't do hills cause there aint many around here, and i don't tow or carry heavy loads.

Any other issues that you can think of i would like to hear about, but like i said, it's just an idea i'm thinking about.

Cheers

WBT56 · 02-18-2004, 13:38

IMO 4 kgs would be overboard. Most performance flywheels for cleveland, windsor, I6, chev, 308, etc (Admittedly all bigger stuff), only take 25% off the original weight. Poor idle will create a catch 22 as far as acceleration goes, as the car may stumble coming off idle and hence not run well into the midrange. I know of performance turbo cars that have gone to a heavier flywheel and returned better figures.

outback_ute · 02-18-2004, 20:45

The idle is worse because the inertia of the flywheel smoothes out the pulses of the engine firing at low speed. With a lighter flywheel the idle will be rougher and the car will be easier to stall, so you will have to use more revs to take off from standstill etc.

ninety_sixer · 02-19-2004, 00:00

That wouldn't so much be a problem, more of an inconvience wouldn't it? i am the only driver of the car, so once i got used to the difference, i can't see it being a problem.
Like i said, it is a higher revving engine so the powerband is about 4k rpm, so it's not like i'm going to be sitting there smoking the tyres trying to take off.

Any other potential problems?
And thanks for the advice.

TyreToaster · 02-19-2004, 04:02

you will effectivley burn the clutch up having to ride it alot more when taking off, when you get to a hill even a smallish one you will need heaps more pedal tto get the car up it, put passangers or luggage in and more throttle will be needed just to keep it rolling along at normal speeds.

Basically unless the car has the need for it dont bother, and machining 4kg of a factory style non eplosion proof flywheel is gona take your legs out.

TIKFD6 · 02-19-2004, 04:24

But if your still keen to do it , go ahead, and tell us how it go's.