Lightening stock manual flywheel and counterweights
 

Hi!

I have a question about stock manual FD's flywheel. I plan to lighten it (have it shaved), but came across issues with counterweight. On this fylwheel it seems the counterweight is built in the flywheel, so the flywheel isn't balanced. The question is now, can I have it lightened and left the counterweight area as it is know without reducing it's weigth? Can it cause vibrating or premature wear of clutch? Because if it does, than I probably won't be messing with this counterweight stuff... Appreciate the answers!

I think lightening a stock flywheel is a bad idea. Too many things can go wrong. I suggest that you buy a light flywheel from a reputable company.

^ he is 100% correct

the clutch is not what needs to be balanced, its the internals in your motor

When I had my Center Force clutch put in they asked me if I wanted my flywheel lightened for an extra $30. I said sure why not. What they did was removed material from the outer edge until almost hitting some threads. The thought was to remove the weight/material from the area it had the greatest amount of inertia without removing material from where it is drilled to balance it. The feeling was more dramatic due to breaking in a new clutch to a fresh flywheel surface then it was due to the lighter flywheel. After the break in period it didn't seem to feel much different at all or maybe I just got used to it. For less then 10% of the cost of a light weight flywheel I feel I got what I paid for, not much. I never noticed any type of vibrations or balance issues even at red line. As I look back on it now would I do it again? Yah, but more for the novelty of it just to say I did it. I ended up getting a aluminum flywheel after my motor popped and that you can tell a difference. I hope this helps some feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Steve

Now this is the kind of answer I was looking for!

I have few questions tough:
- How was the rev climbing speed in first two gears in comparison with stock, stock lightened and alu? If I understood you correctly, it was only the alu flywheel that made the difference.
- Where exactly did they remove material from? The outer edge that has balancing holes was probably left stock, and you were removing material from inner sides or edges of this outer bevel.
- I still don't get one thing. Stock manual flywheels come with counterweight built (it is not detachable as with auto tranny flywheels) - but the flywheels still have those balancing drilled holes - altough the flywheel isn't balanced at all because of counterweight... Can anyone explain this?

BTW, I have two stock flywheels now (one came with new engine), so I can experiment and risk one flywheel.


P.S.: If you don't wish to reply here, you can answer with PM. I tought if someone will be looking for same information will be able to find it here, rather than bugging you with PMs :-) Thanx.

it's not worth it and you're risking too much with the internal balancing of your engine