Im looking for a decent flywheel for my 7 (one of the last few things before its actually driving around on the streets)

Ive looked at the ACT flywheels, and Ive glanced at some of the others, but dont know exactly what I need (counterweights, or will the ones on the current flywheel be enough, should I go with a billet flywheel, or something like the 8lb ACT one...) Just looking for some input, but I dont have any more than about 350 dollars to spend on this, and the engine is (for the moment) still stock, no porting, and NA.

Like I said im just looking for suggestions, and reasons as to why you feel that way.

Any and all help is appreciated. I plan on using this car at auto X events, though it will be driven on the street fairly often (3+ times a week).

The faster I get this figured out the faster I get my 7 back on the road!

 

ACT, period.
ACT just sells the lightened flywheel only.
You'll need a counterweight to match the engine type.
Priced around $200 - $250.

Racing Beat also sells lightened flywheels.
RB's is usually sold with a brand new countweight - priced around $400.

A brand new counterweight from Mazda is $120 (last time I checked).
So there's your price difference.

Any counterweight from an AUTOMATIC TRANS FC (of the same year group - either 1986 - 1988 *OR* 1989 - 1991) will work.
Used automatic counterweights are sold pretty commonly - check the For Sale section.
The counterweight doesn't see any wear, so used units are perfectly fine to reuse.


-Ted

 

Thanks RETed, can i use the one that is on my car right now? But, thanks for the price update, either way. Much appreciated.

 

If your car is a manual. No.

You need a counterweight as RETed has explained.

 

If your car originally came with an automatic trans, then yes, you can use it.

If your car originally is manually trans, then the flywheel has the counterweight integrated into it, and it's not separable.

Basically, if you have a manual trans, you need to get the automatic trans counterweight.


-Ted

 

Considering how jerky the FC is to drive slowly when it's stock, I'm curious as to just how driveable one with a light flywheel is...

I imagine it's not *that* hard to start in first, but I imagine it would buck around any more when you're driving under 20 MPH or so, due to increase in deceleration.

Does someone have any experiences with them?

I'd imagine it goes to redline in the blink of an eye when it's out of gear, since the stock 40-pound one (I'm guessing... that's about what it felt like) already revs really quickly when you give it full throttle.

 

Alright, that clears up all the issues I have. Now I just need to figure out which one of the ACT flywheels will "fit" my car...they all say "turbo only". But at least now I know I need a counterweight too.

From my experiences, there are much more difficult trannies to deal with than one from an S4, with a lightened flywheel. And besides, who coasts at 20mph in first anyway? Personally, I am either slowing down, speeding up, or at least the hell out of first gear.

Wonder if that GXL they dragged to our shop at school is an auto or a manual...might have to go on a stealth mission and liberate the counterweight if its an auto...

 

I've got an 8lb flywheel bolted to my engine. I'll let you know how it is when I drive it.