Flywheel weight theory and application - anyone care to elaborate?
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Toronto, ON, Canada
Flywheel weight theory and application - anyone care to elaborate?
I've tried many searches to educate myself about the effects that flywheel weight has but it's still not clear to me. I've taken a few physics classes and know the logic behind mass and inertia, but what I do need to know is how exactly it applies to driving.
A few people on this site have said that the weight of a flywheel does not affect whp.
If whp is the force that drives the car forward, and since whp has not been changed, then how does a lighter weight flywheel give the car more acceleration on a level surface such as a dragstrip, yet less acceleration going uphill???
More acceleration on a dragstrip suggests more whp, and less acceleration going uphill suggests less whp. WTF???
Also, with a lightweight flywheel, do you have to give more gas when engaging 1st gear in order to prevent stalling?
A few people on this site have said that the weight of a flywheel does not affect whp.
If whp is the force that drives the car forward, and since whp has not been changed, then how does a lighter weight flywheel give the car more acceleration on a level surface such as a dragstrip, yet less acceleration going uphill???
More acceleration on a dragstrip suggests more whp, and less acceleration going uphill suggests less whp. WTF???
Also, with a lightweight flywheel, do you have to give more gas when engaging 1st gear in order to prevent stalling?
Daisy... Daisy...
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: 24601
Re: Flywheel weight theory and application - anyone care to elaborate? (ajbucci)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ajbucci »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If whp is the force that drives the car forward, and since whp has not been changed, then how does a lighter weight flywheel give the car more acceleration on a level surface such as a dragstrip, yet less acceleration going uphill???</TD></TR></TABLE>
This statement is simply not true. Too light of a flywheel will make low RPM engine operation difficult. This can make it more difficult to start on a hill as the engine wants to stall. Once a car is moving, a lighter flywheel will always accelerate better. A flywheel does not affect HP.
This statement is simply not true. Too light of a flywheel will make low RPM engine operation difficult. This can make it more difficult to start on a hill as the engine wants to stall. Once a car is moving, a lighter flywheel will always accelerate better. A flywheel does not affect HP.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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From: Toronto, ON, Canada
Re: Flywheel weight theory and application - anyone care to elaborate? (Dogginator)
Here is a link to some very usefull information:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/f...s.htm
It basically explains why a lighter flywheel improves low speed acceleration, but not top speed.
It still doesn't explain why too light a flywheel would cause struggles going uphill.
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/f...s.htm
It basically explains why a lighter flywheel improves low speed acceleration, but not top speed.
It still doesn't explain why too light a flywheel would cause struggles going uphill.
Daisy... Daisy...
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 16,580
Likes: 4
From: 24601
Re: Flywheel weight theory and application - anyone care to elaborate? (ajbucci)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ajbucci »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here is a link to some very usefull information:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/f...s.htm
It basically explains why a lighter flywheel improves low speed acceleration, but not top speed.
It still doesn't explain why too light a flywheel would cause struggles going uphill.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Do not put much creedence in that link. They are interperating reduced intertia as a "virtual" power gain. The bottom line is that the power has not changed. By there logic, stripping the interior of your car would result in a "virtual" power gain because of the lower vehicle inertia.
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/f...s.htm
It basically explains why a lighter flywheel improves low speed acceleration, but not top speed.
It still doesn't explain why too light a flywheel would cause struggles going uphill.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Do not put much creedence in that link. They are interperating reduced intertia as a "virtual" power gain. The bottom line is that the power has not changed. By there logic, stripping the interior of your car would result in a "virtual" power gain because of the lower vehicle inertia.
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