Aluminum or steel flywheel

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by 601HP

The original build used a steel flywheel that weighs 40+ pounds. The original steel flywheel is still hanging on the wall in my work shop.

David

That must be one heck of a fastener holding that bad boy up.

[undy]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

That must be one heck of a fastener holding that bad boy up.

Was that a cast iron, steel or aluminum fastener??

[601HP]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

That must be one heck of a fastener holding that bad boy up.

16 penny nail driven at an angle deep into a 2 x 4.

David

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by CobraEd

well there ya go !!!

.

Yep - sounds convincing to me.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by 601HP

16 penny nail driven at an angle deep into a 2 x 4.

David

Garage wall art - you gotta love it.

[spl310]

There is a third option that has not been discussed - lightening the stock flywheel. I know of several guys that had failures with aluminum flywheels. None that I recall off hand were catastrophic - but they were enough of a failure to take the car off the road for a while. A steel flywheel is more durable. A lightened steel unit gives you the best of both worlds.

[ENTDOC]

I used a lightweight steel flywheel, a good compromise for our cars. 20lbs I think

[undy]

It would depend on what your definition of "lightened" is. If it's a factory made "lightened" unit, OK. But ... if it's done at a local machine shop then it scares the hell out of me. If it was SFI rated, then that rating is gone plus ... it could be very d-a-n-g-e-r-o-u-s.

[CobraEd]

Heaviest = old style cast iron
Medium = Steel
Lightest = Aluminum


My RAM aluminum flywheel is SFI rated. I guess that is good, but I don't know specifically what it means


.

[undy]

Originally Posted by CobraEd

Heaviest = old style cast iron
Medium = Steel
Lightest = Aluminum


My RAM aluminum flywheel is SFI rated. I guess that is good, but I don't know specifically what it means .

In case you're still wondering...

"What Do the Letters "SFI" Stand For?

SFI was originally a foundation run by SEMA, the automotive aftermarket trade organization. The letters "SFI" stood for "SEMA Foundation, Inc." Although SFI is now completely independent from SEMA, the Foundation has retained the name SFI Foundation, Inc. but the "S" no longer means SEMA.

Who Uses SFI Standards?

Manufacturers of equipment are the primary users of SFI standards. Some standards are adopted as part of the rules of race sanctioning organizations. Ultimately, the consumer benefits from the program as it establishes recognized levels of performance or quality for a product.

How is the SFI Standards Program Funded?

Participating manufacturers pay for development and administration of these programs through licensing fees and/or unit charges. Also, interested associations have provided grants and donations.

How is a Standard Initiated?

The SFI Technical Committee initiates the specification process, typically at the request of the affected industry or race sanctioning body.

How is Participation Obtained?

SFI encourages industry-wide participation in the drafting of specifications. However, once a standard is enacted, participation by the manufacturer is strictly voluntary.

What About Enforcement?

Typically, there are policing provisions through contractual or licensing agreements whereby SFI may inspect the records and/or equipment of a manufacturer in order to ascertain that the product involved meets SFI Specs. Once a manufacturer has voluntarily committed to participating in the program, it must comply with the specifications in all respects.

How Are the Specs Used in Racing?

When adopted as part of the rules of a race sanctioning body, enforcement is entirely up to that organization. The manufacturer then provides the racer with product that is in compliance with the specs enforced by the sanctioning body.

All contents of this website Copyright 2005 by the SFI Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved."

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by CobraEd

Heaviest = old style cast iron
Medium = Steel
Lightest = Aluminum

.

Not necessarily.

The cast flywheel (C8AE-A) originally fitted to my 427 weighed in at 20lb. The shiny new McLeod steel flywheel weighed in at a hefty 40lb.

Paul

[DanEC]

Something that no one has brought up is heat soaking and heat damage with a light weight steel (or cast) flywheel. I've seen a 40 lb steel flywheel eaten up with heat cracks and hot spots. It seems that using a 20 lb one would only aggrevate the situation. Aluminum would disipate heat somewhat better. Is this a valid issue or am I off base?