aluminum/steel fly wheel

coyled · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2003, 08:08 AM

I have been thinking about going to an aluminum fly wheel. How will the cobra take off from a dead stop as well as come off of corners on the race track? Pro's, cons, clutch action? Mostlt interested in road race answers. thanks, Scott.

Mr.Fixit · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2003, 08:27 AM

You will like it a lot more than steel. Motor revs quicker, the engine torques over less, engine just gets snappier. You are removing a huge amount of mass from the rotating assembly, the engine accells and decells quicker due to the lower inertia. A flywheel is heavy enough if you can keep the motor idling.

turnpike boy · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2003, 09:28 AM

I put an aluminum wheel on my 302; idles about 1k rpm, moves off stops smooth and steady, and revs like a sprint car. Excellent, excellent, excellent. Blip the throttle and response is right now. Best $300 (or so) you can spend on the motor - but you damn well better have a rev limiter 'cause if you miss the shift you won't be happy.

mickmate · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2003, 11:06 AM

On the track the biggest problem we're finding with beemers that the rev limiter won't stop is over revving(driving) the motor on down shifting. Take off from a dead stop is result of flywheel weight vs vehicle weight so a Cobra and a Galaxy have vastly different requirements. Should be easy to launch the light Cobra. Can't be all benny's huh?
Cheers Nick

Mr.Fixit · #5 (**permalink**) 05-06-2003, 11:26 AM

Of course a rev limiter won't help on forced downshifts.

A heavy flywheel only helps the car leave from a dead stop, if you have the motor revved up real high and are just trying to keep it at that RPM. It's an inertia buffer. Most cobras have more HP than traction, so 7000 rpm launches are not what I would want to maximise my setup for. I would rather have the motor be able to rev quickly.

coyled · #6 (**permalink**) 05-08-2003, 01:02 PM

So, other than the take off from a dead stop, there are no disadvantages. thanks, scott.

BevanWright · #7 (**permalink**) 05-11-2003, 04:23 PM

My Cobra has a small triple plate clutch, with built in flywheel, which weighs next to nothing, and I agree with the comments from others about instant response.

However, I have a big block, producing around 700hp and lots of torque, and have major traction problems out of any corner, low or high speed. I have been told that with a bit more weight in the flywheel that it may help to dampen the breakaway from traction with the torque. I havnt tested this theory tho.

Of course- the other school of thought, just do big wheelies out of every corner, and have fun!

Cheers