Flywheel weight

[my69396]

On a small engine (283) stocker weighing 3200 lbs. What would be a good starting point for a flywheel? 12 lb Aluminum, 30 lb steel, 22 lb steel. 5.57 and a 9x29.5 tire with a 3.19 low gear.

[james schaechter]

Originally Posted by my69396

On a small engine (283) stocker weighing 3200 lbs. What would be a good starting point for a flywheel? 12 lb Aluminum, 30 lb steel, 22 lb steel. 5.57 and a 9x29.5 tire with a 3.19 low gear.

With that gearing it would be a crutch,but easier with a light steel flywheel cut the disc down on a soft loc type clutch if you are doing a budget build

More rear gear, more first gear, lighter smaller flywheel, smaller clutch would be ideal.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by james schaechter

With that gearing it would be a crutch,but easier with a light steel flywheel cut the disc down on a soft loc type clutch if you are doing a budget build

More rear gear, more first gear, lighter smaller flywheel, smaller clutch would be ideal.

Jim, Years ago, we would use the 10.5 L88 rag disc with an adjustable (usually 11" ) Long style PP. Basically , we were doing that because that was how they were made.
Are you suggesting going to a greater difference than that?
Also , what about shimming the PP mounts with hardened washers, for budget builds?
I always assumed ,at a certain point, that would turn to you know what, in a hurry.

[my69396]

The clutch will be iron with a soft lock pressure plate. I was just trying to get a place to start as far as how heavy a flywheel hits the tires. I know that bogging a small inch motor will slow them down tenths.

[Jim Caughlin]

Bear in mind that with the current technology of controlling clutch slip, heavy flywheels have gone by the wayside. Their function is more of a place to hang the starter ring gear than to store energy. I have had HUGE performance increases by reducing weight and diameter on my clutch & flywheel assy. As I always say 'Your results may vary', but I would be cutting weight and diameter if you want to go fast, it's all about getting the clutch slip managed.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

[james schaechter]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Jim, Years ago, we would use the 10.5 L88 rag disc with an adjustable (usually 11" ) Long style PP. Basically , we were doing that because that was how they were made.
Are you suggesting going to a greater difference than that?
Also , what about shimming the PP mounts with hardened washers, for budget builds?
I always assumed ,at a certain point, that would turn to you know what, in a hurry.

I would not consider a rag disc anymore. The difference is huge just going to a heavy old sintered iron. The heavier steel stuff is hard on rear shocks but is going to wheel stand and then bog. Probably look good. It was hard for us to switch to lighter stuff because the car slowed down when we did. Once we left the light stuff in the car long enough to figure it out, we never went back. Single disc stuff we cut the disc to 8.75 and it worked even better. Then as the dual disc stuff like Advanced came around, we went to that and other lightweight dual disc stuff. Much quicker than the heavy stuff!

[randy wilson]

Originally Posted by james schaechter

I would not consider a rag disc anymore. The difference is huge just going to a heavy old sintered iron. The heavier steel stuff is hard on rear shocks but is going to wheel stand and then bog. Probably look good. It was hard for us to switch to lighter stuff because the car slowed down when we did. Once we left the light stuff in the car long enough to figure it out, we never went back. Single disc stuff we cut the disc to 8.75 and it worked even better. Then as the dual disc stuff like Advanced came around, we went to that and other lightweight dual disc stuff. Much quicker than the heavy stuff!

I never figured out the light weight stuff. I know there's something there, but we apparently weren't smart enough to figure it out. Every best number we ever ran was with a rag, or soft loc with either a 30lb. Flywheel, or an aluminum 168 tooth flywheel. I know, but every trick clutch setup we tried we slowed down immensely. We know there's something there, cause everyone but us were running it, but again, we never even came close to running well with it. Solid hit, and lockup is what we stayed with.. and yes, we had computer, and turned every knob they told us too.