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lightened flywheel. Yea or Nay?

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Old 07-25-09, 10:27 PM
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Question lightened flywheel. Yea or Nay?

So I'm getting ready to replace my clutch. I've got an ACT clutch, pressure plate and lightened flywheel. My question is should I use the lightened flywheel or not? Some tell me I'll see a big difference, others say not so much. I've heard I'll see a big gain in throttle response, but I've also heard that it will be mainly in 1st and 2nd gear where I really don't need it. I'm more interested in experience over theory so if all you have is an opinion then just keep it to yourself. But if you can back up your opinion with some real world experience then I'm all ears.
Old 07-25-09, 10:39 PM
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i have an act prolite , the 9.x lbs ... i would never go back to stock ... it`s such a sporty feeling ... and i also track the car ( not drag ) ...
i say go for it
Old 07-25-09, 11:26 PM
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you gain in acceleration, not just throttle response. You'll regret it if you don't install it.

When I drive a customer's car with the stock flywheel it feels to me like it revs like a truck, instead of the sport bike feel I'm used to
Old 07-25-09, 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by GoodfellaFD3S
you gain in acceleration, not just throttle response. You'll regret it if you don't install it.

When I drive a customer's car with the stock flywheel it feels to me like it revs like a truck, instead of the sport bike feel I'm used to
this is true. i went with a 10lb flywheel so the revs didnt drop as fast as having an 8lb'r. im very happy with mine. if you do get a lighter flywheel, dont forget to get a couterweight also
Old 07-26-09, 06:50 AM
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what sort of difference does it make with a really stiff clutch and daily driving? My clutch is already practically an on-off switch.
Old 07-26-09, 07:01 AM
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Its been about 5 years since I replaced my stock setup with an ACT street/strip clutch & light flywheel. The light flywheel is a big improvement. Its like any other mod that allows the engine to to move more freely. Almost like opening up intake & exhaust a little more. Definitely worth doing.
Old 07-26-09, 08:03 AM
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I installed an ACT Pro-lite with an Exedy Stg 2,works well and easy on the street.

I was told the flywheel was too light for a street car,but it is fine.
Old 07-26-09, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by GoodfellaFD3S
you gain in acceleration, not just throttle response. You'll regret it if you don't install it.

When I drive a customer's car with the stock flywheel it feels to me like it revs like a truck, instead of the sport bike feel I'm used to
Once you own a lightweight flywheel, its crazy trying to drive a Rx-7 with a stock one. Its really night and day, its hard to imagine living without one now.
Old 07-26-09, 05:02 PM
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'yea' or 'nay'
Old 07-26-09, 08:49 PM
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Do it!
Old 07-26-09, 08:50 PM
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after reading what every one was saying im glad i got a light flywheel, and ACT clutch
Old 07-26-09, 11:03 PM
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I say Yay. I had a 11lb lwfw in my old MR2 turbo and it made a huge difference in lower gear acceleration (1st - 3rd). In 4th and 5th gears, the difference was pretty negligable, but overall it improved the "fun factor" of the car.

I also noticed an average of 1 mpg improvement in my fuel economy =]
Old 07-27-09, 05:21 PM
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Sounds pretty unanimous to me. Thanks for the input all. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Old 07-27-09, 05:32 PM
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is there a counter weight on my stock flywheel?87 TII- if so then does it matter how its put on with the new flywheel? iam affraid i put it all on and then my motor rattles its self apart.

iam used to piston motors with out counter weights.so iam no newb on changing clutches
Old 07-27-09, 05:37 PM
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get the lightweight one, I had a fidanza in my red FD and the difference between it and my current FD which has a good deal more power is insane, make sure you get the proper counterweight tho if you do get the lightened one.
however don't get the uber lightweight one if you plan on doing any sort of drag racing, it just killed my launches. go with a 9.5 lb or heavier.
Old 07-27-09, 05:47 PM
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I recommend getting the lighter flywheel. before I bought my FD last saturday I had a few cars. An 88 Supra N/A, 92 3000GTVR4 and an 00 Celica GTS. All these cars I put an lighter flywheel and the difference was noticeable. Faster acceleration felt in the lower gears, but not so much in the higher gears 4th, 5th, 6th(celica). It is a Mod you want to do if you have the parts. Make sure you do what these guys say get the counter weight and make sure it's the correct one.
Old 07-27-09, 10:22 PM
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I have a light fly wheel on my FD , you 'll love the super quick rev !
Old 07-31-09, 12:26 AM
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In regards to the counterweight, how do I know if I have the right one? I have the one that I bought with the flywheel.
Old 08-01-09, 08:18 AM
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Does the cw bolt up to the flywheel? snap a picture and I can tell ya.
Old 08-01-09, 01:06 PM
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Yes. Get one. A no-brainer. I have an 11# aluminum FW and love it. My impression is that it makes driving the car much easier as the off-idle throttle response is much better. All of the other benefits have been mentioned already.
Old 08-02-09, 12:20 PM
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What about people who running over 450RWHP? Is it better or worse?
Wouldn't a lighter flywheel make you drop your revs faster too meaning you could also lose your powerband for full boost?
Old 08-09-09, 02:01 PM
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Okay, so I decided to go with the lightened flywheel, but I've got a couple new questions. First, how thick is the friction surface of a new ACT Performance Street clutch disc? The flywheel and pressure plate I have are definitely new, but I'm not sure about the clutch disc.

Second, is the pilot bearing on an FD the same as on the FB? I ordered a new throw-out bearing, master/slave cylinders, stainless clutch line and pilot bearing. The pilot bearing I received looks exactly like the one from my previous 1st gen. I thought the one for the 3rd gen was different. I don't want to get in the middle of the project and find I have the wrong pilot bearing.
Old 08-29-09, 04:03 PM
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I have a questions regarding lightened flywheels and did not want to start a new thread since it was already touched on here.

Is lighter always better? Is it possible to get a flywheel that is too light if so what sort of range is good? My car is 99% a street driven car with some spirited driving. The other 1% would be a 1/4 mile run.
Old 08-29-09, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Double_J
I have a questions regarding lightened flywheels and did not want to start a new thread since it was already touched on here.

Is lighter always better? Is it possible to get a flywheel that is too light if so what sort of range is good? My car is 99% a street driven car with some spirited driving. The other 1% would be a 1/4 mile run.
Is lighter always better? For road racing sure, you want lowest possible rotating mass. But if your trying to drive to the grocery store, then no. Lightest flywheel I've seen for the FD is 8lbs, that's pretty damn light. But that's not what you'd want. Id say 9.5lbs is lightest you'd want to go since its your DD and if you want to go to the drag strip, 12lb would probably be a better choice(streetlite flywheel from ACT). Its VERY streetable, still has mass for 1/4mile, and does give a big difference over stock.
Old 08-29-09, 06:55 PM
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Can you explain why its better for road racing and not as a DD? When its too light does it become more difficult to drive or cause more chatter/grabbier?


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