Flywheels: Aluminum vs. Steel

TheJeanyus · 02-04-2006, 02:06 PM

I guess this forum is as good as any. Admins, you won't hurt my feelings if you think it needs to be moved.

Let's talk about the advantages/disadvantages of steel and aluminum flywheels. I know aluminum flywheels allow the engine to rev faster and make a little more power up top because they're lighter and steel flywheels are cheaper.

coupe · 02-04-2006, 03:35 PM

A flywheel is a storage device. The heavier it is, the more energy it stores...When you dump a clutch, the energy stored in the FW goes through the clutch and driveline to the tires.

Steel flywheel hits the tires hard at first...good launch. But once that energy is expended, it becomes another piece of weight to accelerate. So an aluminum will move faster down the track and mph more.

DSkeet · 02-04-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coupe

A flywheel is a storage device. The heavier it is, the more energy it stores...When you dump a clutch, the energy stored in the FW goes through the clutch and driveline to the tires.

Steel flywheel hits the tires hard at first...good launch. But once that energy is expended, it becomes another piece of weight to accelerate. So an aluminum will move faster down the track and mph more.

If I end up sending the Predator back I ordered I might be calling you about one very soon...

rtusnake · 02-04-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJeanyus

I guess this forum is as good as any. Admins, you won't hurt my feelings if you think it needs to be moved.

Let's talk about the advantages/disadvantages of steel and aluminum flywheels. I know aluminum flywheels allow the engine to rev faster and make a little more power up top because they're lighter and steel flywheels are cheaper.

Are you plan on changing your flywheel? I bought a 03 cobra flywheel and put in mine. I don't really notice any difference in driving with it vs. the stock flywheel. I will go back with aluminum though when I get a new one for the weight factor.

TheJeanyus · 02-04-2006, 04:12 PM

The '03 is aluminum.

Wicked · 02-04-2006, 06:26 PM

Coupe's explanation was spot on.

nxcoupe · 02-12-2006, 08:44 PM

Coupe's explanation was dead on. Let me see if I can add to that by putting drag race scenarios in the mix. If you have a car like mine, that makes a ton of torque then a heavy flywheel will make hooking the small tires nearly impossible. I run an aluminum for that reason, same reason the 03-04 cobra's run them. Now, for a car that wants to hook hard on drag radials, they can use an aluminum flywheel to soften the hit on the tires. For a blower car that is going to launch at really high rpm's to keep it in the boost, an aluminum flywheel will also help allow the tires to hook, by not storing up as much energy to transfer.
I run steel flywheels in all motor cars that are launching at reasonable rpm's on slicks. I also use it on cars with less than 3.55 gears or thereabouts. Keeps it easier to drive especially on a daily driver. My black coupe is still easy to drive currently with the aluminum flywheel, and a 3.73 gear. Now that it is a 3.55, it is a little touchier to drive it and not do the dreaded stall out. Hope this helps out...

DSkeet · 02-13-2006, 04:34 PM

I really want one now that I know a little more about them. I will need all the help with traction I can get.

mustangmuscle · 02-13-2006, 05:07 PM

Excellent info and explanations!

Have been wondering about this myself.

Big thanks to all!

TheJeanyus · 02-13-2006, 05:15 PM

I'll be sticking with an aluminum flywheel, but I'll most likely be upgrading from the stock one to a better one when I put a clutch in. Thanks to everyone who posted.

02-04-2006, 02:06 PM	#1
TheJeanyus Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 14,774	Flywheels: Aluminum vs. Steel I guess this forum is as good as any. Admins, you won't hurt my feelings if you think it needs to be moved. Let's talk about the advantages/disadvantages of steel and aluminum flywheels. I know aluminum flywheels allow the engine to rev faster and make a little more power up top because they're lighter and steel flywheels are cheaper. __________________ 1998 Mustang GT Coupe - World's Slowest Racecar 2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI

02-04-2006, 03:35 PM	#2
coupe Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,313	Re: Flywheels: Aluminum vs. Steel A flywheel is a storage device. The heavier it is, the more energy it stores...When you dump a clutch, the energy stored in the FW goes through the clutch and driveline to the tires. Steel flywheel hits the tires hard at first...good launch. But once that energy is expended, it becomes another piece of weight to accelerate. So an aluminum will move faster down the track and mph more. __________________ " If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. " - Albert Einstein

02-04-2006, 04:12 PM	#5
TheJeanyus Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 14,774	Re: Flywheels: Aluminum vs. Steel The '03 is aluminum. __________________ 1998 Mustang GT Coupe - World's Slowest Racecar 2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI

02-04-2006, 06:26 PM	#6
Wicked Friends Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pell City, AL Posts: 1,371	Re: Flywheels: Aluminum vs. Steel Coupe's explanation was spot on. __________________ 2001 Cobra 'Vert Procharged and Intercooled 455rwhp/441rwtq Work Car: 2005 Honda Odyssey 400 whp Turbo V6, 6-speed, full cage, H&R Suspension, Brembo Brakes

02-12-2006, 08:44 PM	#7
nxcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Somewhere, Afghanistan Posts: 122	Re: Flywheels: Aluminum vs. Steel Coupe's explanation was dead on. Let me see if I can add to that by putting drag race scenarios in the mix. If you have a car like mine, that makes a ton of torque then a heavy flywheel will make hooking the small tires nearly impossible. I run an aluminum for that reason, same reason the 03-04 cobra's run them. Now, for a car that wants to hook hard on drag radials, they can use an aluminum flywheel to soften the hit on the tires. For a blower car that is going to launch at really high rpm's to keep it in the boost, an aluminum flywheel will also help allow the tires to hook, by not storing up as much energy to transfer. I run steel flywheels in all motor cars that are launching at reasonable rpm's on slicks. I also use it on cars with less than 3.55 gears or thereabouts. Keeps it easier to drive especially on a daily driver. My black coupe is still easy to drive currently with the aluminum flywheel, and a 3.73 gear. Now that it is a 3.55, it is a little touchier to drive it and not do the dreaded stall out. Hope this helps out... __________________ Michael 92 coupe R/S 8

02-13-2006, 04:34 PM	#8
DSkeet IDK Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, AL Posts: 1,136	Re: Flywheels: Aluminum vs. Steel I really want one now that I know a little more about them. I will need all the help with traction I can get. __________________ --2005 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z51-- --2007 Lexus GS350 AWD-- --1958 Plymouth Belvedere aka "Christine"--

02-13-2006, 05:07 PM	#9
mustangmuscle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Auburn Posts: 792	Re: Flywheels: Aluminum vs. Steel Excellent info and explanations! Have been wondering about this myself. Big thanks to all! __________________ 04 Red Fire Cobra JLT RAI MGW Shifter Bassani cat-back Bassani catted-X MM FLSFC's BF IRS Brace Lukem80 Special Edition Hi-perf springs BF 2.76 S/C pulley SCT XCAL2 DiabloSport MAFia NGK TR6 Plugs Steg Stage 4 Eaton Afco D/P H/E Metco 2# Lower KB BAP SPEC 3+ clutch w/SPEC steel fw 60# inj's 491rwhp/504rwtq

02-13-2006, 05:15 PM	#10
TheJeanyus Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 14,774	Re: Flywheels: Aluminum vs. Steel I'll be sticking with an aluminum flywheel, but I'll most likely be upgrading from the stock one to a better one when I put a clutch in. Thanks to everyone who posted. __________________ 1998 Mustang GT Coupe - World's Slowest Racecar 2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI