Lightened flywheels

[robo]

Interesting bit on lightened flywheels and what they are worth in real terms.
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/how_a_lightweight_flywheel_works.htm

Bob

[voucht]

Thanks Bob, very interesting indeed :)

[K4KEV]

Was thinking about this when I come to rebuild my engine.....could well be my lathe might just be able to take my flywheel so I might shave off a few pounds and get it balanced when I get my crank re-ground.:D

[robo]

I was having a read up on it as i am butchering ringgears for my flywheel and the general consensus is it needs to be machined from annealed en8. I dont know if thats right but they dont reckon to shave to much off a cast flywheel as it could exit through the bellhousing and give you a rapid pedicure . I will do a bit more research before i order the metal.

Some stuff i found


http://www.japspeed.co.uk/Honda-Civic-EP3-TypeR/Honda-Civic-EP3-TypeR/Honda-Civic-EP3-Type-R-Ultra-Lightened-Flywheel/p-5-1-792/


http://www.axidworks.com/Clutches%20and%20Flywheels/Lightened%20Flywheels

http://www.hondaperformanceparts.co.uk/Flywheels/Toda_Racing_ChromeMoly_Lightweight_Flywheel_K_Seri es_/

bob

[TSM Locost]

Check out Dunnell Engins site, std 2.0 less 2kg keeping std clutch £98 exch.

http://www.dunnellengines.com/zetec_components.php?

[baz-r]

i have had it pointed out to me by an engine builder that you can go too light on flywheels and things like wild cams and road use need to be taken into consideration.
the flywheels job is to keep the cranks initia constent to reduce stress on engine and gearbox components.

also pointed out never to thin a cast type flywheel more than a 1/3 after this a steel one needs to be made

[snapper]

It's normaly safe to machine just the weight round the outside to the same thickness as the rest of the flywheel, you can go more as shown in the Des Hammill book but you may as well buy a steel one instead.

[Big Vern]

I was having a read up on it as i am butchering ringgears for my flywheel and the general consensus is it needs to be machined from annealed en8. I dont know if thats right but they dont reckon to shave to much off a cast flywheel as it could exit through the bellhousing and give you a rapid pedicure . I will do a bit more research before i order the metal.

Some stuff i found


http://www.japspeed.co.uk/Honda-Civic-EP3-TypeR/Honda-Civic-EP3-TypeR/Honda-Civic-EP3-Type-R-Ultra-Lightened-Flywheel/p-5-1-792/


http://www.axidworks.com/Clutches%20and%20Flywheels/Lightened%20Flywheels

http://www.hondaperformanceparts.co.uk/Flywheels/Toda_Racing_ChromeMoly_Lightweight_Flywheel_K_Seri es_/

bob

Lightening any cast flywheel is a dangerous business! if your fond of your legs I would NOT recomend it.
Minimum spec of annealed EN8 for lightweight flywheels, higher spec steel may lead to even lighter but the cost can be high (T4340 tends to be twice the price of EN8 as it's more difficult to machine)

Also important is the spec of the engine. No point if your not running lairy cams and high comp. ratio. - will just get tiring to drive and wear your starer motor out restarting after all those stalls!

BV:)