Pros and Cons of Lightweight flywheel

[13COBRA]

What are the pros and cons of going to a lighter flywheel on a 2008 ACR?

[ViperNC]

Speaking in general, the rotating mass of the flywheel is part of the equation to determine the percentage of HP transferred to the rear wheels. A lighter flywheel will help eliminate some loss of HP in the transfer, but there are some things to be aware of. Aluminum flywheels tend to require a bit more throttle than stock to get the car moving from a dead stop. The mass of the stock flywheel tends to keep the inertia from the engine which helps the car get moving and also more engine braking when you downshift. The lighter aluminum flywheels are also more susceptible to heat and require replacement more frequently with heavy use. With that said, I noticed a considerable difference in how the car behaved when I changed the flywheel on a previous vehicle that I tracked from time to time. You just have to modify your driving style a bit to get used to it.

[13COBRA]

Speaking in general, the rotating mass of the flywheel is part of the equation to determine the percentage of HP transferred to the rear wheels. A lighter flywheel will help eliminate some loss of HP in the transfer, but there are some things to be aware of. Aluminum flywheels tend to require a bit more throttle than stock to get the car moving from a dead stop. The mass of the stock flywheel tends to keep the inertia from the engine which helps the car get moving and also more engine braking when you downshift. The lighter aluminum flywheels are also more susceptible to heat and require replacement more frequently with heavy use. With that said, I noticed a considerable difference in how the car behaved when I changed the flywheel on a previous vehicle that I tracked from time to time. You just have to modify your driving style a bit to get used to it.

It'll be on the track about 90% of it's life so there really isn't a lot of stopping and going.

My goal would be slightly quicker acceleration through the power band, and in my very low-IQ brain, a lighter flywheel would achieve that?

Also, when you say that it would require replacement more often, how often is "more often"? haha

[ViperNC]

It'll be on the track about 90% of it's life so there really isn't a lot of stopping and going.

My goal would be slightly quicker acceleration through the power band, and in my very low-IQ brain, a lighter flywheel would achieve that?

Also, when you say that it would require replacement more often, how often is "more often"? haha

I think you'll love it for road course usage. Just make sure you heel/toe correctly on your downshifts matching RPM's the best you can with throttle blips and that will help with longevity. You will probably notice less engine braking as well on downshifts with the less rotating mass.

[13COBRA]

Didn't the Gen 5's go to a much lighter stock flywheel? If so, that should tell us something

Yes! That's what I was thinking. If they went a different route on the "newer" ones, then shouldn't that be a telltale sign?

I think you'll love it for road course usage. Just make sure you heel/toe correctly on your downshifts matching RPM's the best you can with throttle blips and that will help with longevity. You will probably notice less engine braking as well on downshifts with the less rotating mass.

That's what I'm thinking too.

[Fatboy 18]

I have one in my gen II and love it, I did first notice the power drop off when I first depressed the clutch, but as Viper NC said you soon get used to it giving the car a blip of the throttle when downshifting. Mines been in the car for a few years now with a stock LUK clutch, I've done loads of straight line burnouts with it and charity track days.
All good in my book

[ACR-ISH]

Did a quick google search and like "MOST" lighter flywheels, several have options for removable friction surfaces so you can swap the surface without pulling the entire flywheel. If you're not warping flywheels I would assume you wouldn't warp this one any more often, really. But I don't exclusively drive and race Vipers so don't hold me to that. I think it will help you get closer to your goal, for sure.

[Arizona Vipers]

Didn't the Gen 5's go to a much lighter stock flywheel? If so, that should tell us something

[Steve M]

I have nothing but good to say when it comes to the performance of a lightweight clutch/flywheel combo...for me, the throttle response was improved (especially noticeable doing heel/toe downshifts), acceleration was noticeably improved, and the shifting was smoother as well. For a road course application, I'd consider it a no-brainer. I did a pretty detailed write-up on it here:

https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...o-Gen-4-Clutch