Re: Aluminum Flywheel Question
SlowGTOnLine2

Category: SlowGT Technology & Performance
Remote Name: 216.184.4.112
Remote User: slowgt
Date: Friday, January 26, 2001
Time: 09:36:48 AM

Comments

90gt,

An aluminum (lighter weight) flywheel reduces the inertial loading on the engine during acceleration. The heavier the flywheel, the more difficult it is for the engine to increase its rpm. However, the energy used to bring the flywheel to any given rpm is not lost – it is stored by the rotating flywheel. This energy can be used to help the car accelerate from a dead stop (off-the-line) or on gear changes where the rpm of the transmission input shaft drops. Therefore, there is a trade-off that must be considered when determining the optimum flywheel weight (off-the-line performance vs. down track acceleration). If traction is good and the engine rpm drops excessively when the clutch is released, a heavier flywheel or a higher gear ratio should be considered. If the total gear ratio in first gear is around 13-15:1 (4.10/4.56 rear gears, 3.35 first gear) then the flywheel weight should be increased to improve the 60 foot time. If the 60-foot times are good or excessive wheel spin is detected on the launch, the flywheel weight can be reduced. Generally, lighter flywheels are used with higher horsepower (> 400 HP) and higher rpm engines (> 7500 rpm).

Mike