I see post after post about flywheel replacements and which are the best, but I haven't seen (and couldn't find any with the search) which talked about when you *need* to replace one.

I'm in the market for a clutch here in the near future and from all the posts it appears that nearly everyone replaces the clutch disc, pressure plate, pilot bearing, and flywheel at the same time.

Is it necessary to replace the flywheel too, beyond the obvious performance enhancements? If not, what do I need to do with my existing flywheel before putting everything back together?!?

 

The stock flywheel will probably last for the life of the car.

People replace it solely for performance reasons (often when replacing the clutch because the incremental labour cost is small).

 

You might not need to replace your flywheel if it looks ok. If it is ok, just hand sand it down some when you replace your clutch.

I don't think STX allows lightened flywheels, so you can't have it turned--you'd need to buy a new oem one, and I believe they are around $200 or so.

I've seen older Civics with 145K miles and the flywheel was just fine, and I've seen 80K mile Integras where the flywheel was shot.

 

The stock flywheel should outlast the rest of the car. You don't need to change it. The advantage of upgrading to a lighter flywheel is only to have the engine climb in revolution faster. This is especially good on the race track. People usually change the flywheel at the same time they change the clutch (which need to be change eventually) because you easy access to it. (it is a "you might as well do it" thing).

 

What would look okay and what wouldn't? I'm expecting some discoloration just because of abuse and I'm assuming that's okay, right? What else should I be looking for?!?

And I'm aware that STX does not allow lightened flywheels and trying to see if that's something we can get changed.....but that's a whole other can of worms.

 

The only thing that can be damaged on the flywheel are the teeth engaging the starter. The only other thing I can think of looking for are some cracks due to poor quality. The purpose of the flywheel is to give some inertia to the engine to help it to be more streetable, it is not a wear item. There should not be any discoloration.
It is like asking "when should I change my stock wheels ?".

 

The only reason I asked about the color was when I changed the clutch on my 88 GTI 16V, the flywheel was purple in places. The experienced VW mechanic that was there said he'd never seen a VW flywheel "abused" like that before. We ultimately just sanded it down (aka - resurfaced) and reinstalled, but I though the question was worth asking since I've driven the R harder than I ever drove the GTI and don't want to have an exploding flywheel sometime in the near future.

It's good to hear I can save myself a fair amount of money by not getting a new one.

 

There is some misinformation going on here.

1) Flywheel can be damage other than starter teeth problem and poor quality. High rpm launching, especially during break-in period of the clutch disc, will cause burn spots, warpage on the flywheel. This is due to high heat generated from friction at high rpm. The result will be having discolor (blue/purplish) spots on the flywheel friction surface. Another possible damage is if your clutch is going and you don't replace it, the metal part of the clutch may dig on the flywheel and therefore scratch it. The solution to this will be resurface the flywheel if the dig is not too deep.

2) I won't exactly say flywheel is not a wear part. You are right about flywheel maintain inertia of the engine. But what it also do is transmit torque from the engine to the clutch. The surface of of the flywheel is the transmitting media. Anything with friction will wear. But I agree that flywheel usually outlast the life of the car, and clutch disc wear much faster.

[Edit due to my misunderstanding to part of your post. (Yes, my English is pretty bad)]



[Modified by Ideal R, 4:48 PM 4/23/2002]


[Modified by Ideal R, 4:49 PM 4/23/2002]


[Modified by Ideal R, 4:51 PM 4/23/2002]

 

And I'm aware that STX does not allow lightened flywheels and trying to see if that's something we can get changed.....but that's a whole other can of worms.

Actually, I don't mind the stock clutch/flywheel rule in STX. ITRs have a huge advantage over the other cars in the class because it's blessed with a lightweight flywheel (for a oem unit) and decent clutch.

I say keep it stock

Let CF hoods in STX though

 

I know a friend who fried the flywheel after 2 yrs, but he was dropping the clutch at 8000rpm when it happened.

 

You are correct on your statements. I was between meetings at work when I wrote my last post and did not reread it to see if I was to simplistic in my affirmations. I did not had in mind people droping the clutch at 6000+ rpm or letting it slip for a mile.
I will put this under the column "next time wait until you have time to think about what you are about to write before you write it"

 

 

I'm about 2 mouse clicks away from ordering a new clutch kit from Exedy or Toda or ACT.

Question: these kits come with the throw out bearing. Do these guys produce their own bearings? Or are they Acura parts? If the aftermarket guys make their own bearings, are they better than Acura's??

I ask because I've gone through 2 throwout bearings at 92K and I think my current bearing is shot (so my experience is that the OEM throwout bearing is crap).