This is topic How do you like your aluminum flywheel? in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by 98Snake (Member # 183) on :
 
Whats up everyone,
I was wondering if you could give me feedback on your aluminum flywheel. Such as idle issues, drivability issues etc. I am thinking about an aluminum flywheel to go along with my new clutch, but I don't want it if it will give me a lot of problems. This is going on a 98 cobra w/ vortech. Thanks!
 

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Posted by Bill/APEX Motorsports (Member # 636) on :
 
Aluminum flywheels are transparent in their operation. There aren't any driveability or idles issues at all.
The big improvement that they offer is faster spin-up of the engine, which is especially noticeable if you do heel-and-toe downshifting.
I don't see any downside to an aluminum flywheel at all, and we install them all the time. They especially work well on DOHC Cobras because of their 7k rpm capability.
For your '98, the flywheel is $341.96 (reg. $379.95)
 

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Posted by -NORCALCOBRA- (Member # 2383) on :
 
i am gonna go with a alumunum flywheel on my 96 mostly cause i am gonna be sqweezin 150-250 shot and it doesnt shock the driveline parts as hard when you launch at high rpms i will be ordering mine from APEX MOTORSPORTS in a few days
 

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Posted by Elapid (Member # 50) on :
 
i believe the heavier steel flywheels are superior for drag racing when flat-shifting, or power-shifting techniques are used. the flywheel's inertia is used to store energy during a shift and when leaving from a complete stop. the aluminum flywheel has very little inertia compared to the steel unit so clutches will wear out faster which is a BIG bonus for the shop that does the installs...

for road racing, the low inertia of the aluminum unit makes slowing down for the turns much easier than with the heavy steel unit.

driving in heavy traffic with an aluminum flywheel seems like it would be a nightmare.

i don't use one, but i took college physics.

Personally, i would want something with a bit more torque than your average cobra before buying road-racing parts for a drag car.

i'd be careful listening to mechanics/salesmen that are trying to sell you parts when gathering advice on upgrades.

i don't have anything to sell.
my advice is free and worth every penny!

[ December 18, 2003, 01:08 PM: Message edited by: Elapid ]
 

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Posted by shade- (Member # 298) on :
 
it's a dyno-queen trick for an extra couple HP

if you can powershift *well* in a 1/4 mile it should be kind of a push in terms of performance (steel vs. aluminum vs stock)

If you can't, the heavier flywheel will only help you at the launch, but most cars are traction limited not power limited at the launch so that isn't necessarily an advantage except in a low HP car. Otherwise the aluminum flywheel should be quicker at all points.

There are certainly better places to spend your money, IMHO, since the aluminum flywheel should have some mild drawbacks (especially with a *grabby* or stiff clutch)
 

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Posted by Bill/APEX Motorsports (Member # 636) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Elapid:
...the aluminum flywheel has very little inertia compared to the steel unit so clutches will wear out faster which is a BIG bonus for the shop that does the installs...

driving in heavy traffic with an aluminum flywheel seems like it would be a nightmare.

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We haven't seen any clutch longevity issues with aluminum flywheels, even on Mustangs that are raced. We've had some customers with 70k+ miles on their aluminum flywheels, and when it comes time to change the clutch, the flywheel just needs to be resurfaced like normal. Nothing special, and no abnormal wear at all.
Driving in traffic with an aluminum flywheel is no different than with a steel flywheel, at least with our setup. I've had aluminum flywheels in my last three Mustangs, and they all have driven like stock. And we install them all the time, and I haven't had anyone say that they didn't like it.
I agree with you that a drag car's flywheel should be heavier for retained inertia, but on a street car that gets raced around town, our customer's seem to really like them.

[ December 18, 2003, 03:02 PM: Message edited by: Bill/APEX Motorsports ]
 

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Posted by 98Snake (Member # 183) on :
 
Thanks for all the replies guys, I appreciate all your comments. In my situation, the advantage of having it spin up faster is a big plus. I don't drag race often, maybe 3-4 times a year. After taking everyones opinions into consideration, I guess the final determining factor would be to drive one with an aluminum flywheel to actually see how it feels. Thanks again!
 

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Posted by PurpleNotch (Member # 2902) on :
 
i have the billet one from ford racing works good
 

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