Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

Ive got this 8.5 flywheel. Ive been reading alot and want things clarified. I know my car is heavy its a 98 civic cooupe with a B20vtec on it. The motor is stock and im doing clutch at the moment. Is it okay for me to run this flywheel or is it too light. Ive read about loosing torque and all that can someones please clear things up before i install, is this going to benefit me or fail me. thanks for the inputs.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

I've got a 6.9 lb flywheel in my DC2 and it's fine. There's no way you'd lose torque with a light flywheel -- it actually adds whp because it reduces rotational inertia of the drivetrain, which is particularly noticeable in low gears when drivetrain acceleration is higher.

What it will do is cause your engine to gain and lose revs faster when you blip the throttle or engage the clutch. Some people don't like the more sensitive throttle response when the clutch is engaged, but I prefer it. I find it aids upshifting and makes hill starts easier.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

The only time it would be a pain in the ass would be driving in traffic on a B16a. Anything larger displacement wise and it's no problem.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

thanks for some information guys. Ive been hearing/ reading form people the lighter the flywheel the harder itll will be and ive got these great 8.5 for a nice price so i was thinking either run it or sell it.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

I think most of the people who think light flywheels are hard to drive are those who don't have them. I certainly don't wish mine was any heavier than it is.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

This comes down to preference, I have used few over the years, and prefer middle of the road. I used to run ACT prolite 8lbs or so(I think it is called) and still have it sitting in the garage, but much more prefer ACT streetlite 12lbs that I have replaced it with few years ago. This on B18C

Regards,

Nino

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

Is there any possibilities of flywheel weighing 8 lbs shattering, ive been hearing it from people but IMO its the way they use it.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

Any fly can shatter, I guess 8lbs having less material can do this easier, even though I never heard of anyone doing this on the street. It takes some serious clutch "drama" to make this happen, and with your level of anticipated power and street use I would think that you would brake something else first even if you were trying to do this.

Maybe some other people here have direct experience with this that they can share?

Regards,

Nino

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

I've run an 8lb fly wheel for around 8 years, not the same one, but I've always ran the lightest flys I can in all of my cars.

I would really doubt on it failing, when you talk a full race one like on a drag car (honda) they are 3-5 lbs or less and paper thin those I've seen blow and more so on street use then anything else.

Personally I like the crispness of a lightened fly and shaving weight is always nice. I don't get why some people mention idle issues, I've never had one that wasn't smooth as a baby, well till it was cammed ;)

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

The lighter the flywheel the more gear lash noise you will get too. Some people thinks its cool and it annoys other people.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

gear lash noise? please explain...

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

i ran stock , 12lb, 8lb ,7lb flywheel

they all feel the same to me

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

I have a 9lb I believe and its great, just a tad more clutch slip from a start but much much better than the stock heavy pos

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

I think having a lighter flywheel (currently also at 8.5lb for me) is great for daily driving especially when tuned for it. I love my lightened flywheel!

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

It depends on the transmission but you may hear a whining noise from the gears in the transmission, especially at idle.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

Not an issue for me.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

Could that be heard on decel also?

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

It's usually heard under light load and at idle. It's not going to damage the transmission so its just something to think about.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

Good to know. Thanks.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

I prefer lighter flywheels too. "Crisp" engine response was a good analogy as a$$snyper put it. It lets the engine accell and decell much faster than stock.
It kinda gives the engine more of a racecar personality so to speak IMO...
Try it, I think youll like it. If not throw the stock one back in. Worse case scenario you gained experience!
Porsche GT3's also have this tranny noise due to the lightweight/undampened flywheel. Sounds like rocks rolling around inside the engine until you give it a little gas or load it..

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

The flywheel in my GS-R is as light as they come, and it idles very smooth and has no extra tranny noise. I'm not saying nobody will have problems but I haven't.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

I just put a fidanza flywheel in my teg. Feels great, no problems and it runs up faster and smoother

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

My opinion also. In a full weight, all motor street car that is a mild build, I would go with a 11-12lb. flywheel. I think in a street car that does not have a surplus of power, the extra rotational inertia is a benefit, specifically in the lower gear changes. 1-2, the most, and less as you go up, due to your upper gear ratios keeping you closer to peak torque when you make a gear change. If it was a turbo car with torque to burn, then I would go with a 8.5lb flywheel. Then maybe the weight of the flywheel would be considered parasitic. This all depends on the weight of the car, and how much torque the engine is making, and gear ratios, will make your experience with a lightened flywheel slightly different.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

^^ I've heard this argument before and I'm not sure I understand it. The lighter flywheel makes it easier to upshift faster without stressing the drivetrain because the engine tachs down to the correct rev sooner. That means less vehicle speed is lost during shifts.

Re: Is a 8.5LB flywheel okay to run
 

I have a 10lb flywheel and it took some time for me to adjust starting off in the hills. But, it sure revs way faster than stock flywheel. If where you live is full with leveled roads, I would suggest 8lbs flywheels will do the trick. The lighter the flywheel, the more gas mileage you will get as well as anything that spins, if your into that kind of thing.