lightweight flywheel - pros vs. cons
03-30-2004, 02:44 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
lightweight flywheel - pros vs. cons
i have a totally stock car and i doubt i'm going to do any performance mods other than an intake and a cat back...
i've been getting more and more clutch shudder lately, and i've decided to replace the clutch and get the flywheel resurfaced...
i'm also considering getting a lightened flywheel, but i'm not too sure if it's for me, since i'm not too aggressive of a driver...
what i'm wondering is what are the pros and cons of installing a lightweight flywheel on a stock, daily driver car...
any input would be appreciated, thanks
i've been getting more and more clutch shudder lately, and i've decided to replace the clutch and get the flywheel resurfaced...
i'm also considering getting a lightened flywheel, but i'm not too sure if it's for me, since i'm not too aggressive of a driver...
what i'm wondering is what are the pros and cons of installing a lightweight flywheel on a stock, daily driver car...
any input would be appreciated, thanks
04-01-2004, 02:51 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
If you ask me, its the best performance upgrade you can do if you arent ready to throw down for a new turbo/injectors/pump/ecu upgrade. The response from the pedal is unbelievable with a lightweight flywheel. Only downsides I have found is, when you combine it with a super-grippy racing clutch, its very easy to stall like a noob going into first gear. You also have to take it out of gear a lot sooner as you are slowing down (if you downshift at all) because the engine will want to stall as if falls below 2000RPM without that extra weight a stock flywheel has to keep the inertia going. I would also recommend changing the pressure plate along with the flywheel. If you are more of a city type (stop-go) driver than a racer, I would just keep the stock set up, as the clutch pedal stiffness and the easy stalling will just make your leg tired, and you pissed off.
04-04-2004, 12:59 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
amnzamudio-thanks for your input. I was also considering getting a lightened flywheel with a new clutch but my i drive in mostly city driving conditions (freeway traffic, parking lots....a lot of low speed condtions) i guess ill be taking your advice and sticking with the stock stuff.
04-04-2004, 06:07 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hey if you're having clutch shudder or chattering theres a TSB for it.. it's suppose to be a private thing. and the dealer aren't suppose to let us know about it unless you bring it in. Well there suppose to replace the whole clutch system.. That if, if you're still under the warranty. I found out about it when my teacher a school told me..but just check it on on subaru TSB..
04-04-2004, 06:21 PM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,792
Car Info: sc300
heavy flywheel = more inertia, slower revving
light flywheel = less inertia, quicker revving
from what i heard light flywheel is good for auto-x and drifting i dont know about drag racing (its boring as hell anyways) but it gets harder to drive when you go too light.
edit: harder to drive as in normal driving
light flywheel = less inertia, quicker revving
from what i heard light flywheel is good for auto-x and drifting i dont know about drag racing (its boring as hell anyways) but it gets harder to drive when you go too light.
edit: harder to drive as in normal driving
04-14-2004, 02:36 PM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
What kind of clutch did you get? And does the light weight of the Fidanza make the car a lot harder to drive in the city? I'm planning out my WRX motor swap, and if the car stays streetable enought, I'd like to replace clutch and flywheel while the motor is already out. I'm attracted to the price of the Fidanza, and I've heard pretty good things, but they are DAMN light. Just worried I'm gonna have a real hard time driving it in traffic.
Also anybody got an opinion on the SPEC organic clutch kits? Obviously, I'm going project Low-buck here...
Also anybody got an opinion on the SPEC organic clutch kits? Obviously, I'm going project Low-buck here...
04-14-2004, 10:53 PM
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by amnzamudio
If you ask me, its the best performance upgrade you can do if you arent ready to throw down for a new turbo/injectors/pump/ecu upgrade. The response from the pedal is unbelievable with a lightweight flywheel. Only downsides I have found is, when you combine it with a super-grippy racing clutch, its very easy to stall like a noob going into first gear. You also have to take it out of gear a lot sooner as you are slowing down (if you downshift at all) because the engine will want to stall as if falls below 2000RPM without that extra weight a stock flywheel has to keep the inertia going. I would also recommend changing the pressure plate along with the flywheel. If you are more of a city type (stop-go) driver than a racer, I would just keep the stock set up, as the clutch pedal stiffness and the easy stalling will just make your leg tired, and you pissed off.
If you ask me, its the best performance upgrade you can do if you arent ready to throw down for a new turbo/injectors/pump/ecu upgrade. The response from the pedal is unbelievable with a lightweight flywheel. Only downsides I have found is, when you combine it with a super-grippy racing clutch, its very easy to stall like a noob going into first gear. You also have to take it out of gear a lot sooner as you are slowing down (if you downshift at all) because the engine will want to stall as if falls below 2000RPM without that extra weight a stock flywheel has to keep the inertia going. I would also recommend changing the pressure plate along with the flywheel. If you are more of a city type (stop-go) driver than a racer, I would just keep the stock set up, as the clutch pedal stiffness and the easy stalling will just make your leg tired, and you pissed off.
-Adam
04-15-2004, 06:29 AM
#12
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Sold my condo now I'm homeless
Posts: 672
Car Info: 2002 WRX
Originally posted by Red Devil
What kind of clutch did you get? And does the light weight of the Fidanza make the car a lot harder to drive in the city? I'm planning out my WRX motor swap, and if the car stays streetable enought, I'd like to replace clutch and flywheel while the motor is already out. I'm attracted to the price of the Fidanza, and I've heard pretty good things, but they are DAMN light. Just worried I'm gonna have a real hard time driving it in traffic. Also anybody got an opinion on the SPEC organic clutch kits? Obviously, I'm going project Low-buck here...
What kind of clutch did you get? And does the light weight of the Fidanza make the car a lot harder to drive in the city? I'm planning out my WRX motor swap, and if the car stays streetable enought, I'd like to replace clutch and flywheel while the motor is already out. I'm attracted to the price of the Fidanza, and I've heard pretty good things, but they are DAMN light. Just worried I'm gonna have a real hard time driving it in traffic.
Also anybody got an opinion on the SPEC organic clutch kits? Obviously, I'm going project Low-buck here...
Spec stage 4..............I had alot of chatter when I first installed it.
After I install a transmission mout the chatter is almost completely gone.
04-15-2004, 04:22 PM
#14
Bring your car to the dealership and tell them about the Technical Service Bulletin for "cold clutch judder", they will replace it with an all new clutch and flywheel and all related parts for free under warranty.
The clutch they will give you is HEAVIER, but the clutch engages smoother and you can launch the car from first gear at a MUCH lower RPM. I found the car was no slower with the new clutch, and actually performs outrageously better. It's like a whole new car, you will be so much happier driving. The clutch pedal pushes in much easier and smoother, so your left leg will not hurt after a drive. Good luck!
The clutch they will give you is HEAVIER, but the clutch engages smoother and you can launch the car from first gear at a MUCH lower RPM. I found the car was no slower with the new clutch, and actually performs outrageously better. It's like a whole new car, you will be so much happier driving. The clutch pedal pushes in much easier and smoother, so your left leg will not hurt after a drive. Good luck!
04-19-2004, 06:12 PM
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
I drive an 02 WRX sedan and had the clutch replaced under warranty, as per the TSB - since the car was apart I had an MRT light weight flywheel installed (I only paid for the MRT flywheel, no other parts or the labor). I love the car post-op. It revs up faster, plain and simple. I've got the STi u/p and a BPM cat-back but otherwise the car is stock - it runs out of first gear delightfully fast. I live in more of a suburban/rural area and for me the set-up is excellent. Even city/parking lot/stop&go isn't that bad in my opinion. Yeah, I've stalled it a few times but you quickly get used to it and it just feels very responsive and touchy. If you want to increase reactivity and tighten driver input tolerances, it's sick. If other people drive the car a lot maybe it makes less sense. In Nick Warne's (spelled?) book "Training WRX 2nd Ed" he uses the word "sparkle" to describe the engine characteristic affected - the lighter flywheel will allow the engine to sparkle a bit more. I agree.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
WrxDragger
Aftermarket Forced Induction - Turboed factory NA engines
6
11-17-2003 10:26 PM
subbywrx
Engine/Power - EJ20T (pre-2006 WRX and JDM)
1
03-26-2003 01:28 PM
