Has anyone heard of or looked into an aluminum flywheel for their T-5 ? I may be replacing a clutch and was thinking about an upgrade while I was at it.

thx, RP.

------------------
'91 Formula Firebird G92,WS6,5-speed,3.42 a ton of fun to drive.

 

I don't know of one, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist...

The flywheel isn't specific to the trans, as such. All you need is the right one for your crank (1-piece or 2-piece rear main seal, whichever you have) in the correct diameter (it will be 12¾", or 153-tooth ring gear).

Check all the usual suspects: Hays, McLeod, Lakewood, CF, etc.

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Thx for your reply.

I have a one piece rear main seal in a '91 LB9 5-speed (everything is still factory setup).

Normally when replacing a clutch I would get the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel balanced together as well (makes a big difference). This time I thought I would check into an aluminum flywheel at the same time since I've heard that it is a way to release HP and torque that is otherwise trapped (by the heavier steel flywheel) in the drive-train.

Read once you could see up 30hp gains in an SBC by going to an aluminum flywheel. Fact ? Fiction ? Anyone have any experience with this ?

thx, RP.

------------------
'91 Formula Firebird G92,WS6,5-speed,3.42 a ton of fun to drive.

 

You can also get the GM lightweight nodular iron flywheel, weighs 16 pounds. I recently removed it from my car, surface looks like the surface of the moon, 10 different colors, cracks all over (head and cam swap in June- left the stock clutch). The responsiveness was intense with the lightweight flywheel, but the performance benefit was negligible.

I replaced my lightweight flywheel with a standard weight, steel flywheel. Why? The standard flywheel absorbs more drivetrain noises and the clutch engagement is smoother which can extend the life of the clutch (better clutch driving habits: less riding of the clutch, etc). Do not expect good durability or performance results from a lightweight or aluminum flywheel with a daily driver.


------------------
Hybrid Black 5.7L 5 Speed
'95 Competition Yellow Corvette Coupe ZF6

 

Hey thx a ton for the info blak92.

I'll forget about the trick flywheel and put my money into hi-end clutch and pressure plate.

RP.

------------------
'91 Formula Firebird G92,WS6,5-speed,3.42 a ton of fun to drive.

 

HP gain is pure fiction.

Think about what happens as you drive down the strip... not only does the car have to accelerate from a stop to whatever MPH, but also, evey moving part in the drivetrain including the wheels has to acclerate rotationally from 0 RPM to whatever it is at the traps. A lighter flywheel gives the engine less mass to have to spin up.

It is said (by "Them", and as we all know, "They" know everything) that rotational weight savings are equivalent to 3-5 times static weight savings. So, it could be said by "Them" that the lighter flywheel is "equivalent" to an engine power increase of 30 HP. Sounds a bit like ad copy to me, not reality, hard to believe it would take anywhere that much energy to spin the flywheel up from 2000 RPM or whatever at the line to 6000 RPM or whatever through the lights.

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Basic rule of thumb:
At sea level use a light flywheel and let the engine tq. and hp launch the car.
At altitude use a heavy flywheel because tq. and hp will be down substantially and you will need the extra inertia to move the mass weight of the car ( this also works with real sticky tires and good traction).

------------------
Chronologically challenged. But still kicking!
'92 CAMARO RS
305 TBI 5/spd (now TPI)
B4C Alt.
Cam change:TRW 198/210 ,450/.460 114 LSA
Stock TBI manifolds
'85 IROC 3" Cat. back Exhaust
14.94-92.00 mph
SDPC base and "350" Vortec coming soon!
'69 camaro-BB/Lenco,1050 dominators, /Pump Gas/no drugs 8.97-150+/3200lbs.
SoCal Thirdgen F-Bodies

 

Dyno Don, are you serious? Well, maybe I missed the humor.

------------------
1991 Firebird
350 L98 (was a 305 TBI),T-5,Edelbrock TES and cat back,Accel manifold
NOS,subframes,jegster torque arm,MSD Digital 6
AFPR,Lakewood lcas
Hurst linelock,SLP cam (206 212 .480 .486),relocated battery,cold air,Hypertech chip,centerforce df,clutch
poly bushings and mounts
AFR 190s
Harland sharp 1.5 rockers
autopower rollbar

12.33 @ 114.83 juiced uncorrected

13.510 @ 102 non juiced uncorrected