Flywheel Material

[Dave Gantz]

Years ago, generally, different weight steel flywheels were used for launching a drag car. Aluminum flywheels were used for circle track cars, to accelerate quicker, not having to worry about the launch. (At least that's the way I always had heard it.)
Are aluminum flywheels used in drag racing these days? (Or before?) I see a lot of them for sale, and with the advent of adjustable clutches, I was wondering if maybe the combination of aluminum flywheel and adjustable clutch (base and centrifugal) has changed things.

[tj310]

http://www.advancedclutches.com/metalcoverclutches.htm This is a link to pictures that show the extent that they go to to reduce flywheel weight. ---Trevor

[Mike Pearson]

Back when I ran a stick in my car which was before all of the good clutches of today the difference from a 14 lb aluminum flywheel with a steel face to a 25 lb steel wheel was 2 tenths. This was in SS/J. Back to back tests on the same day. Many moons ago though!!

[older racer]

hi, BINGO, had same results also. lw is faster, simple physics!! same holds true today.

[randy wilson]

Most people say the aluminum is faster, and I'm sure in most cases it is, but in our SS\CS 291 c.i., 6.50 rear, 3.29 low, a rag street strip clutch, and a 30 lb. fly wheel was .06 quicker back to back, then a soft lock, and aluminum 12 lb. flywheel. I know, it surprised me, but then maybe we had the wrong tires, or something.

[b.guggenmos]

There used to be an old rule of thumb that said flywheel weight should be 1% of the vehicle weight. But that was back in the day of a 2400 lb. pressure plates or the discs with four pucs. They bite hard and break parts. Brian