Hey all,

Currently I have an 88 convertible, original engine with a Bridgeport, and an 06 rx-8 6speed trans mated to it. We drove it with this setup for a while, but there was a lot of vibration. We had to take the engine apart for something unrelated, and I got to thinking about something. We have the rx-8 clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate, but we still have the factory s4 front counterweight. Should we be using the rx8 counterweight instead?

Also, on the back of the flywheel right at the center where it sits against the engine, it looks like it has been grinding against the stationary gear or something. Did we miss some kind of bushing?

 

You want to use the flywheel that matches to rotating assembly (rotors, counter weight). In this case, the S4.

 

That makes sense, but in order to use the rx8 starter I have to use the rx8 flywheel. So assuming that I have to use the rx8 flywheel and s4 rotating assembly, should I be using the front counterweight for the s4 or the rx8?

 

I'd use RX-8 rotors and counter weight. The counter weight and rotors are paired to the flywheel.

 

Noob question then: Are the components (rotors, counterweight, crank, flywheel, clutch) balanced statically as a group or individually?

 

From the factory I'm not sure if they balance each engines rotating assembly - rotors, counterweight, e-shaft, flywheel. For high revving and performance engines it's always good to do that. I never have. I just keep everything in the same factory configuration. You can mix and match but would need to have the parts balanced. Angel Motorsports has some good YouTube videos of their machinist doing this.