New! Kirkham 427 FE Billet Flywheel Twin Clutch

[Allan A]

David,

So how did it do under testing, did you dump the clutch at 6000 rpm yet?

Allan

[hi-tech cobra]

When will this be available and how much? Very nice! This is going on my Christmas list.

[dcdoug]

And you aren't concerned about warping? The 2007-2008 GT500s have vented (if that's what you call it) flywheels that have a problem with warping due to the decreased strength over solid flywheels. A TSB has been issued for the problem and it seems to pretty much affect everyone that drives their car hard. The fix is to replace the flywheel with a solid one....

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

As the automotive industry stinks right now, and we probably won't get a bail out, we decided to go into the dairy industry and make Swiss Cheese

How about a sale on something?

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by patrickt

David, that is very cool. Removing the extra aluminum from the perimeter of the circle doesn't weaken it for starter motor purposes? Or is the amount of stress put on it while cranking really just not enough to matter?

Does removing material weaken the perimeter...yet. But, there is actually very little torque required to start the motor so it is not a big deal.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Rwillia4

Got one for a small block?

We were talking about that today. I am sure we will be coming up with one soon. We were actually thinking about making a billet bell housing and seeing if we could make the ring gear much smaller to make the whole package smaller. We would then have to put the starter in from the rear.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by RON N BKFLD

David,,,,,,,Looks great, but I need help with my hood scoop........Ron

I'm going to have to borrow one from another car!

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Rwillia4

David,

I was thinking it might look like this:



It would save weight and ...well I don't know what else it would do once it was installed, cus no one would see it. But if you think of it like a girlfriend, you know what she has under her clothes and that counts for something

Rob

Rob,



Pretty sweet flywheel!

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Full Throttle Al

Horsepower rating?

I don't remember right now. I'll have to ask McLeod or look it up. It is a standard unit they use. I can't wait to give it test drive.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by eschaider

David,

Very nice work as usual!

Did my eyes deceive me or did I see sintered iron discs in that uber light assembly? Two more questions; which McLeod pressure plate is that and how much plate load does it provide.

Thanks - especially for the inspiration, again and always.


Ed

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, they are sintered iron. I can't wait to try them.

I am not sure which plate it is. I posted those just before I had to run out to Congressman Chaffetz's fundraiser. I just got back; I'll find out and post it Monday.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by pusherfans

Any concerns with strength or durability with the super light flywheel? Is it enough flywheel to idle?

Good questions. I am pretty sure there will not be a problem with the idle. Fortunately, our customers pretty much like the grumpy idle anyway. Every time we reduce the rotational mass the motor seems to just run better. Also, I don't think there will be a problem with durability--we kept the flywheel pretty beefy in the loaded area.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by hi-tech cobra

When will this be available and how much? Very nice! This is going on my Christmas list.

Obviously, it is all programmed and ready to go. We are in the prototype phase. We will throw it in a car early next week and test it out. Not sure on price yet. To keep the price as low as possible, we are looking to make all the parts we can--possibly even the whole thing. Anyone know where we can get the clutch diaphragm spring? Other parts?

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by dcdoug

And you aren't concerned about warping? The 2007-2008 GT500s have vented (if that's what you call it) flywheels that have a problem with warping due to the decreased strength over solid flywheels. A TSB has been issued for the problem and it seems to pretty much affect everyone that drives their car hard. The fix is to replace the flywheel with a solid one....

Such vented flywheels are used all the time. All of our replicas (especially the Kirkham)are very light vehicles. We don't slip our clutches too much and generate all that heat. But, as I said above--these are all good questions and that is why some poor sap has to step up to the plate and test it.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

How about a sale on something?

I said that auto industry thing as a joke with all the bailouts and bankrupt auto makers. But, hey, you NEVER know what kind of deals we make here in Club Cobra.

What are you interested in?

David

[Rottie]

David,

A flywheel, clutch, bellhousings and clutch actuator stimulus package would be great. How long before the billet bellhousing?

Nice Job!

Peter

[1985 CCX]

Very nice job!

[olddog]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

Does removing material weaken the perimeter...yet. But, there is actually very little torque required to start the motor so it is not a big deal.

David

Dave,

I agree that the starter will not put enough torque to hurt the design. However I think the ring gear is heat shrank on, in most designs. I think the interferance fit is all that keeps it from slipping. The thin ring of aluminum may loosen in all areas other than the spokes. When considering aluminum creeps over time, it may not loosen for a few years.

If in deed you are using a shrink fit, I would suggest drilling a few holes centered at the interface between the ring gear and flywheel and then pressing in pins.

If you already addressed this issue in another way, I appologize for the interruption.

My hat is off to you on the inovative approach!

[Michael C Henry]

That really looks impressive, but have you actually tested it in a car? It really goes against the original concept of a flywheel. I'd think the lack of enertia may be intolerable for some cam amd intake setups. It may be just fine for instant on power, but what about when the engine is just trying to idle? It has been my observation with everything, if it has an advantage it also has a disadvantage. You allways give up something to get sometihng else. The question you should allways ask yourself can I live with the down side?

[D+10]

WOW as usual. Are you going to build one for the Toploader??

Art

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Rottie

David,

A flywheel, clutch, bellhousings and clutch actuator stimulus package would be great. How long before the billet bellhousing?

Nice Job!

Peter

Not sure on the bell housing time frame. I am not sure it will work without being way too much money for the billet. We are looking into that.

One thing we want to do is make the bell housing 2 piece, bolt together. That would make it very easy to dial in the bell housing. No more welding; no more offset pins.

David