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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Flywheel: Steel vs Aluminum

  • Thread starter Thread starter mxmattd
  • Start date Start date Apr 5, 2005
M

mxmattd

New Member
Jun 3, 2004
73
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0
Orange County, California
Apr 5, 2005
#1
  • Apr 5, 2005
  • #1
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?
 
M

mxmattd

New Member
Jun 3, 2004
73
0
0
Orange County, California
Apr 5, 2005
#2
  • Apr 5, 2005
  • #2
nobody?



please?



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

mfp4073

Founding Member
Mar 14, 2001
387
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Hells Ditch, FL
Apr 6, 2005
#3
  • Apr 6, 2005
  • #3
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

Founding Member
Sep 9, 2000
4,675
38
119
Antelope Valley, SoCal
Apr 6, 2005
#4
  • Apr 6, 2005
  • #4
mfp4073 said:
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)
Click to expand...

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.
 
C

Credzba

Member
Jul 11, 2004
37
0
6
Apr 6, 2005
#5
  • Apr 6, 2005
  • #5
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.
 
S

silverbluebp

Member
Aug 13, 2003
119
0
16
Apr 6, 2005
#6
  • Apr 6, 2005
  • #6
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!
 
G

Gud T.B. Blown

Member
Dec 9, 2004
583
1
18
Apr 6, 2005
#7
  • Apr 6, 2005
  • #7
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.
 
M

mxmattd

New Member
Jun 3, 2004
73
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Orange County, California
Apr 7, 2005
#8
  • Apr 7, 2005
  • #8
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.
 
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