Thread: Lightweight or heavy flywheel

Just thinking in my head the other day which would be better for a N/a car in a drag race? A light weight or heavy flywheel....The answer sounds obvious but maybe it is not as simple as it sounds. I know the auto crossers are going for the lightweight flywheel but what works for those guys does not means it works for drag guys....just look at the turbo guys..they like the heavy flywheels the ones I have talked to at least.

Light flywheel is best unless for some crazy reason traction is a problem and/or driver skill is off the charts (in a bad way).

I thought so Ben, but these guys swear that heavy flywheel was the best for them, that it had me second guessing myself for a second.... I thought it was true in a way because I thought the improvment in 60' time outweighed the actual weight benifits down the track of the light weight flywheel... These guys were turbo by the way...

I'm a turbo guy, and I use a light flywheel, and I recommend them to everyone without exception.

There's a small window of power creation, lack of traction, and poor driving skill that would allow a heavy flywheel to get better ETs. I recommend other solutions to those problems (ECU with traction control, more tire, better chassis setup, better driver training, etc.) because all else being equal the lighter flywheel will get better ETs.

ok I see

Check the Honda forums. They'll have threads on this for you to read.

I've got a light one, SUCK at driving, don't make much power, and still pull 1.70 60 fts.

I loved the lightweight flywheel with my turbo car. Some say the heavier flywheels help with inertia and all that. If you can shift quick and know how to control the throttle, they are awesome. I loved how fast my car would rev with an 8lb FW on there. I am actually looking for a lightweight for my VE motor now. Wish I could use my GTi-R one on my car now.

Ok what about rpm loss during a shift though? Would the light weight flywheel drop more rpms during gear change or would it be the same as the heavy flywheel?

It would drop more yes, that's why it's up to you to be a better driver and shift as fast as possible. I don't do that. I always say I could get my phone out of my pocket and call people during my 2-3 shift at the track lol.