would anyone recomend putting in an aluminum flywheel? is the gain in horsepower worth the cost, or trouble? i have to change out the clutch soon, so i was wondering if it is worth the expense. thanks

 

I don't have any expirience with the lightened flywheel but $600 seems pretty steep if you ask me.

 

Depends on what you want to use your car for and how you plan to have it set up.

First, there is NO gain in horsepower. There is merely a reduction of parasitic drag on the drivetrain. What you will see is the engine revving a little more quickly.

Lightweight flywheel will let the engine rev faster and is usually a good option for a turbo setup.

However, it will also impact your launches since the rotating mass will be lower, you'll have a harder time keeping the engine at speed as you disengage the clutch from a standing start.

Auto crossers and road racers typically like the lightened flywheel because they aren't drag racing and they can accelerate a little faster out of the corners.

Drag racers want a heavier flywheel because they need the rotating mass to help put the power to the wheel for the launches.

Obviously, these are generalizations and contradictions will be found in abundance in full race setups in either vocation.

Daily driving, you want a heavier flywheel so you don't sound like speed racer at every stop sign in town. This is why OEM flywheels are typically heavier. Most 'average' drivers aren't subtle enough with a clutch to feather it properly in daily driving.

 

thanks, you just answered my question. i dont plan on racing, just looking for a little extra kick out of first gear. my 83 zx is a little bit sluggish. thanks again

 

In that case, you'll probably be better off with intake, exhaust and fuel upgrades.

Enjoy!

 

lightened flywheel won't give you added kick in 1st gear. If anything, less torque from a standing start. Get a 4.11 rear diff! That'll give you more torque.