21 replies to this topic

[crn1969]

Hi am changing clutch soon.and wondered if anyone has experience of benefits and drawbacks of fitting a lightened flywheel? ie if it's worth doing.cost etc? Any thoughts welcomed.

[Tamworthbay]

Depends on what you use the car for. Is it a daily? A weekend track toy? Or general fun car?

[Fast Ivan]

I would spend the money on getting it balanced, but a little weight loss is good

[crn1969]

Not on the road yet but will be a daily run about.just wanted a bit of info how much difference it would make to acceleration and see if it's worth the effort and cost.it's okay reading the theory wondered if anybody has practical experience of fitting one?

[Tamworthbay]

I wouldn't bother for a daily, they do spin up a bit quicker but if it's standard otherwise you will barely notice. You will also lose a bit on hills. You would probably better to spend the money on a stage one kit if you don't have one fitted already.

[Mini 360]

You could but ideally that involves getting it balanced with the crank attached.  As that would require an engine strip down, I wouldn't personally be doing it.

[Spitz]

I fitted a lightened wheel to a car I drove daily and autocrossed. (stock 1275 )

It's a VERY worthwhile investment indeed.

[crn1969]

Okay thanks will take all that on board.

[blacktulip]

I had a lightened and balanced kit on a 1275 once and it did make it a lot smoother to drive. I say do it and see for yourself if you can afford it. You are going to get mixed reviews.

[Spider]

I had a lightened and balanced kit on a 1275 once and it did make it a lot smoother to drive. I say do it and see for yourself if you can afford it. You are going to get mixed reviews.

 

Yeap, that's what happens.

 

Fitting a lightened flywheel does make the car a little different to get away from a standing start, but otherwise it's all pluses from there.

 

You can buy one along with a backing plate and have them balanced on their own, but would be best done with you rotating parts, though I seriously doubt you'll notice any out of balance.

 

You'll have a less likely hood of breaking a crank with a lightened flywheel and this also comes back to what blacktulip found - 'smoother'.

[racingbob]

don't waste your money  spend the £150 nice exhaust system

 

or adjustable camber arms and and tie rods or 4 new adj shockies

 

if its a 286 cam or more and you rev it hard then yes worth while

 

balancing is good but as said needs doing with the crank

 

if you do decide to just get the fast road one

[Alex_B]

I can't speak from experience on minis as my lightened flywheel is still in a box waiting for the engine to be built, but I have driven a Coombes Jag mk2 (think cooper tuning on minis type of situation). One of the mods they did was a lighter flywheel. Obviously the xk6 jag engine is completely different from the mini engine but it revved much freely, and was noticeably nicer to drive than a standard one. 

But its not a modification to be done first, fitting a better flowing intake and exhaust system, should be first, but if you are changing the clutch and also have a stage one done then why not!? 

[crn1969]

Wow lots to think about.thanks.

[Coxie]

I have a med ultralight on mine and it's all pluses from me.
Sent the whole clutch assembly to them first and had them balance the lot as one.
Smooth on tickover, gets of the line quick and no harder to drive in traffic round town. Love it.

[Coxie]

I read this a while back when people were talking about torque loss with a lightened set up and found it interesting.
http://www.ca-int.co...ghtFlywheel.pdf