Flywheel: Steel vs Aluminum

[mxmattd]

I found a really good deal on an aluminum flywheel for my upcoming T5 conversion. I have a 289 thats stock right now and won't see drastic upgrades. I also use my car as a daily driver. Is the aluminum up to the task? or will the steel outlast it?

 

[mxmattd]

nobody?



please?



i need to decide soon whether or not to move on this deal

 

[mfp4073]

I have had tremendously good results with steel flywheels. No experience with aluminum. I cannot see much of a gain with large motors such as ours (compared to the imports)

 

[65ShelbyClone]

I have had tremendously good results with steel flywheels. No experience with aluminum. I cannot see much of a gain with large motors such as ours (compared to the imports)

A stock iron fywheel is at least 30lbs while an aluminum is no more than 15. It will make a huge difference in how fast an engine catches revs.

As long as the aluminum flywhel has a steel friction insert and not bronze, it will last a long time. I just realized that you have a stock engine in a daily driver, in which case a stock type flywheel will probably be more useable and cheaper. Takeoffs will be easier and the engine harder to stall.

 

[Credzba]

I run an aluminum flywheel

I dont see any wear difference so far.
The engine revs faster with no load, but as you would suspect you don't have the extra weight to spin the tires if you drop the clutch.

For just normal driving, I think you wont see much difference.

 

[silverbluebp]

I have an Alum fw in mine and other than the engine reving easier I feel no diff. All the talk about hard to take off and lurching at low speeds has not happened. I'm glad I got rid of the useless weight!

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

i switched to an aluminum flywheel on my last car ('88 MR2/SC) and found a world of difference. the car revved a lot faster which increased acceleration. i know the MR2 is a lot smaller than a mustang but so was the flywheel, so it's all relative. that was one of the best decisions i ever made . i am REALLY regretting getting cheap and NOT putting an aluminum flywheel when i switched over to the toploader , buy my first clutch replacement will remedy that.

 

[mxmattd]

thanks for all the responses, i think i'm gonna go with a billet steel one if i can afford it. I'm not gonna be racing the car and i've heard about some problems with revs dropping too quickly and stalling with the aluminum fw's.