Aluminum Flywheel

[Guero]

Is this a good one? http://stangsuspension.com/store/comersus_viewitem.asp?idproduct=352

I also herd that they hurt your launch? Is that true? I did a search but like always i usually come up with more questions that answers.

What is that i read they need to be balanced?

 

[bimmertech]

you can get a fidanza for a few bucks cheaper---thats what i run.

the flywheel will come with 2 diff weights for what your motor is balanced for---you just bolt the right weight on.

the flywheel will not hurt your launch as much as the 2.95 first gear will---you will get slightly better throttle response.

i bought mine for the fact that i can do a clutch and not have to worry about sending out the flywheel to be machined---eliminating down time is big to me. if down time is not a big deal to you then just buy the $90 factory replacement, you really won't see that much gain with the lighter flywheel.

 

[Grn92LX]

FYI, fidanza makes spec flywheels. If you use ebay you can get fidanza aluminum flywheels for $280. I paid more b/c I bought mine through my builder but I don't do ebay. It comes with the weigfhts you need for 0, 28 and 50. Awesome piece, I LOVE mine!

 

[Guero]

OK this is what i dont get. If i get the one i show ill have to balance it???

 

[Grn92LX]

No it should come with the different weights that you bolt on. JUst like the fidanza who makes spec flywheels.

 

[Guero]

What do you mean bolt up?

 

[Grn92LX]

The weights bolt on.

 

[Guero]

oh. so i would i know how to get it right?

 

[Grn92LX]

The bigger weight is 50oz. It bolts on with 3 supplied bolts and use the supplied loctite. Same with the dowel pins.

 

[Guero]

Damn im lost. so theres different weights?

 

[Green 94 5.0]

no.....the flywheel comes at a 0 imbalance. 2 weights are included with it. one for a 28oz. imbalance and one for a 50oz. imbalance. they bolt up using 3 allen screws. the image below shows a fidanza with the 50oz weight installed. the 28oz weight is slightly smaller. basically one flywheel will fit any engine balance configuration. fidanza is the only aftermarket flywheel i have ever used and i have nothing but good things to say about it.

 

[Guero]

whats the reason for the imbalance and which one would i do?

 

[JJ95GTID]

whats the reason for the imbalance and which one would i do?

My understanding is as follows:

The rotating assembly (crankshaft, rods and pistons) are not perfectly balanced from the factory. Ideally you would have 8 rods that weighed exactly the same and 8 pistons that weighed exactly the same along with a crankshaft that is perfectly balanced while rotating. Since this takes way more time and manpower to accomplish the auto manufactures allow for some imperfection. Ford's answer to this is to use a counter balance weight of 50oz in the late model 5.0L engines. Your harmonic balancer (also known as the dampner) is also imbalanced with a 50oz weight along with the flywheel. So, a late model 5.0L engine requires both the harmonic balancer and flywheel to have a 50oz weight to counteract the imperfect rotating assembly.

Now, aftermarket stroker kits usually are imbalanced to 28oz. That is why Findanza and other manufactures send you both the 28oz and 50 oz weights so that you can use the one that you need. This is a good thing so that you don't have to buy new parts if you decide to stroke your engine for more displacement.

Hope this helps

 

[ProKiller]

+1 for Fidanza

good info Joe

 

[Green 94 5.0]

as was already said, the stock 302 uses a 50oz where as most stroker kits use a 28oz standard.

 

[5spd GT]

It can hurt your launch. Less stored energy due to less rotational mass. I've seen it time and time again. From track to forum members...

You will be able to rev it faster, especially in neutral...

Less rotational mass equals slightly more difficult to 'idle-off' from a stop. You will just have to compensate with a tad more gas pedal and/or more clutch modulation.

 

[Guero]

Thanks guys i see what you guys mean. I mean i can just out the 50 weight on. But i usually tend to wanna know why you use something and not the other one. Thanks. I see why I would loose some take. Since its lighter takes more to turn it. Something like that, but i know what you mean. So whats more ideal for my car?

 

[5spd GT]

It takes less power to turn an aluminum flywheel theoretically, but when your flywheel is spinning when you go to launch, an iron flywheel (more weight) will "hit" harder and therefore launch your car harder compared to an aluminum flywheel. Inertia is pretty cruical in a launch.

Lots of weight spinning and then all of a sudden stops ='s more "hit".

Less weight when spinning and then all of a sudden stops ='s not as strong of a hit.

As for your car, depends on your car's race weight. Ed Curtis, for example, recommends aluminum flywheels for cars in the 3200lb range I believe and steel/iron flywheels for heavier cars to get them off the line. My thinking is along the same lines. Daily driver? Lots of traffic? Track car?

 

[Grn92LX]

I LOVE my aluminum flywheel in my street car. No issues what-so-ever with it! I'd NEVER run a steel unit again!

 

[5spd GT]

Guero - Is your car going to be a street car or daily driver?