lightweight flywheel issue
Caramelldansen
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,182
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From: SF Bay Area, California
Originally Posted by RotaryResurrection
This is a reason that I strongly dislike the RB light flywheel design for the NA cars. That is a real mickey mouse way of mounting a pressure plate, and for the money involved, it's bullshit. IT makes installing the clutch a bit harder, too, since you have to hold the pressureplate up by hand while dicking with the spacers, bolts, washers, and nuts. IF I remember right, the holes are not even freaking tapped...you have to use nuts on the back side of the flywheel for the bolts.
IT's obviously a cop-out instead of proper design and machining. NOt to mention that they dont even put alignment dowels on the flywheel...so it is possible, even probable, that the pressureplate will be out of balance and you will get some vibration. I have had this happen before myself.
The RB turbo flywheel doesnt use spacers, which is good...but it still doesnt have alignment dowels.
The SR flywheels are much better, but you have to do a bit of grinding on them in spots (again, NA applications) to clear the pressure plate springs (I've found this out the hard way, had a binding clutch and had to remove/reinstal it twice).
The ACT flywheels are excellent in fitment and finish, but are only available for turbo applications, to my knowledge.
IT's obviously a cop-out instead of proper design and machining. NOt to mention that they dont even put alignment dowels on the flywheel...so it is possible, even probable, that the pressureplate will be out of balance and you will get some vibration. I have had this happen before myself.
The RB turbo flywheel doesnt use spacers, which is good...but it still doesnt have alignment dowels.
The SR flywheels are much better, but you have to do a bit of grinding on them in spots (again, NA applications) to clear the pressure plate springs (I've found this out the hard way, had a binding clutch and had to remove/reinstal it twice).
The ACT flywheels are excellent in fitment and finish, but are only available for turbo applications, to my knowledge.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,576
Likes: 27
From: Morristown, TN (east of Knoxville)
Yes, because we all owe you answers, and are slackers for not giving them to you 
I have found the 86-95 weights to be almost identical in weight down to a few grams, even though series 4 are supposed to be different from series 5/6. It shouldnt make a difference at all, at least not one that would cause a vibration.
I have found the 86-95 weights to be almost identical in weight down to a few grams, even though series 4 are supposed to be different from series 5/6. It shouldnt make a difference at all, at least not one that would cause a vibration.
Thread Starter
DON'T PANIC
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Old Hickory, TN
Sorry, I'm just trying to get the car out of the way so I can work on another one. We all get a bit frustrated. Anyway, I pulled the transmission and the pressure plate was definatly off centre. So racing beat gets a call monday. If anyone has a spare set of bolts and spacers they'd like to get rid of let me know. I just wish I could remember who I bought the flywheel from so I could ask them.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,576
Likes: 27
From: Morristown, TN (east of Knoxville)
THE SPACERS DO NOT CENTER THE PLATE. On a stock flywheel there are 3 alignment dowels. Pressed into the flywheel itself. They are a TIGHT fit on the pressureplate, which has 3 holes for them. This centers the plate, then you put the bolts in. The bolt holes are large enough that they CAN NOT act as centering holes. IF you flywheel does not have alignment dowels, you most likely will never be able to get it perfectly centered by eye, and the new spacers won't help. The spacers determine height off of the flywheel, not centering.
Thread Starter
DON'T PANIC
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Old Hickory, TN
I was under the impression that the replacement bolts had shoulders on them to align the pressure plate properly. So you're saying that Racing beat makes absolutly no provision for this, and that they sell a product with no correction for this destructive flaw?
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,576
Likes: 27
From: Morristown, TN (east of Knoxville)
Well, you can talk to them about it, but I don't feel that tapered bolt holes (where the hole is 1/16" larger than the bolt) are sufficient to center a heavy part that rotates up to 9000rpm. I guess they did, though. 
I just know I dont like it, I won't recommend it, and I would never run one on my car. I'm all for re-engineering a part for whatever reason, but if it isn't at least as good as what came off the car, I wouldn't run it.
I just know I dont like it, I won't recommend it, and I would never run one on my car. I'm all for re-engineering a part for whatever reason, but if it isn't at least as good as what came off the car, I wouldn't run it.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: da big island
The racing beat flywheel I got had 2 holds 180 degrees apart. The bolts that went in them were different then the other 4, they were bigger and actted as alinging bolts. the top half was made so that it will only go in the whole perfectly strait. Pain in the *** to get in but they line up the pressure plate.
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