Light Flywheel !
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Light Flywheel !
Anyone know how much of a difference a lightflywheel makes ? Just got a brand new SLP flywheel "8lbs " and a brand new dual friction clutch on ebay both for 200$ for my LS1 
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Farmington, MI
Well...if you picked up a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch, my guess is you won't feel a difference. The way the weights are designed to slide on the pressure plate, they utilize the centrifugal force (hence the name Centerforce) to maximize the pressure applied to the clutch disc. Keep in mind the clutch assembly is bolted to the flywheel (which is bolted to the crank shaft)...so, what happens is the clutch feels "heavier" to the motor as the revs go up. As a result, you'll see a bit of a loss in power at the wheels. Going with a lighter flywheel might help reduce that loss, but you will still see a loss. Also, that added force requires more work out of your stock slave cylinder. Given it's "wonderful" design, don't be surprised to see some wear & tear on it after a short while. If you do keep the setup, I'd suggest getting an adjustable master cylinder otherwise the clutch may not fully disengage the flywheel (especially at higher RPMs). However, if you still have time to get out of the deal, it might not be a bad idea. The few extra $$$ for a Spec clutch is well worth it. As for myself, I went back to GM and got an LS6 clutch seeing as though I don't plan on going past the 450 hp mark anytime soon.
Last edited by SSpdDmon; Jan 16, 2004 at 02:03 PM.
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Originally posted by SSpdDmon
Well...if you picked up a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch, my guess is you won't feel a difference. The way the weights are designed to slide on the pressure plate, they utilize the centrifugal force (hence the name Centerforce) to maximize the pressure applied to the clutch disc. Keep in mind the clutch assembly is bolted to the flywheel (which is bolted to the crank shaft)...so, what happens is the clutch feels "heavier" to the motor as the revs go up. As a result, you'll see a bit of a loss in power at the wheels. Going with a lighter flywheel might help reduce that loss, but you will still see a loss. Also, that added force requires more work out of your stock slave cylinder. Given it's "wonderful" design, don't be surprised to see some wear & tear on it after a short while. If you do keep the setup, I'd suggest getting an adjustable master cylinder otherwise the clutch may not fully disengage the flywheel (especially at higher RPMs). However, if you still have time to get out of the deal, it might not be a bad idea. The few extra $$$ for a Spec clutch is well worth it. As for myself, I went back to GM and got an LS6 clutch seeing as though I don't plan on going past the 450 hp mark anytime soon.
Well...if you picked up a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch, my guess is you won't feel a difference. The way the weights are designed to slide on the pressure plate, they utilize the centrifugal force (hence the name Centerforce) to maximize the pressure applied to the clutch disc. Keep in mind the clutch assembly is bolted to the flywheel (which is bolted to the crank shaft)...so, what happens is the clutch feels "heavier" to the motor as the revs go up. As a result, you'll see a bit of a loss in power at the wheels. Going with a lighter flywheel might help reduce that loss, but you will still see a loss. Also, that added force requires more work out of your stock slave cylinder. Given it's "wonderful" design, don't be surprised to see some wear & tear on it after a short while. If you do keep the setup, I'd suggest getting an adjustable master cylinder otherwise the clutch may not fully disengage the flywheel (especially at higher RPMs). However, if you still have time to get out of the deal, it might not be a bad idea. The few extra $$$ for a Spec clutch is well worth it. As for myself, I went back to GM and got an LS6 clutch seeing as though I don't plan on going past the 450 hp mark anytime soon.
I was asking if anyone had any knowledge on the flywheels or noticed the difference in it with the flywheel . Te deal I goy was unbeatable and i woulda had to be crazy to not buy it !
And the weights on the clutch are very insignifigant in weight and will not take horsepower from my car . Although with the flywheel being less then half the weight of a stocker I was thinking it may be a little different but I dont know anyone with one to back ti up so I wouldnt know !!!
Last edited by robb4964; Jan 16, 2004 at 11:43 PM.
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Originally posted by Steve Y
5.0 Mustang did a test on a '00 Stang GT with a light clutch, flywheel, and driveshaft. They lost about 25 lbs. total and only gained 7 rwhp and 10 rwtq at the peaks. But they gained up to 15 rwtq across the board. I bet you would only gain 2-5 rwhp and tq with just the flywheel.
5.0 Mustang did a test on a '00 Stang GT with a light clutch, flywheel, and driveshaft. They lost about 25 lbs. total and only gained 7 rwhp and 10 rwtq at the peaks. But they gained up to 15 rwtq across the board. I bet you would only gain 2-5 rwhp and tq with just the flywheel.
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From: Farmington, MI
Originally posted by robb4964
Thanks for the reply , But I wasnt asking about the clutch , I put a dual friction in my Camro and loved the damn thing !!! Never had a problem w/the clutch ......I put one in my LT1 and it felt just like the stock one expet it grabbed like ***** when you needed the power
I was asking if anyone had any knowledge on the flywheels or noticed the difference in it with the flywheel . Te deal I goy was unbeatable and i woulda had to be crazy to not buy it !
And the weights on the clutch are very insignifigant in weight and will not take horsepower from my car . Although with the flywheel being less then half the weight of a stocker I was thinking it may be a little different but I dont know anyone with one to back ti up so I wouldnt know !!!
Thanks for the reply , But I wasnt asking about the clutch , I put a dual friction in my Camro and loved the damn thing !!! Never had a problem w/the clutch ......I put one in my LT1 and it felt just like the stock one expet it grabbed like ***** when you needed the power
I was asking if anyone had any knowledge on the flywheels or noticed the difference in it with the flywheel . Te deal I goy was unbeatable and i woulda had to be crazy to not buy it !
And the weights on the clutch are very insignifigant in weight and will not take horsepower from my car . Although with the flywheel being less then half the weight of a stocker I was thinking it may be a little different but I dont know anyone with one to back ti up so I wouldnt know !!!
Last edited by SSpdDmon; Jan 17, 2004 at 12:33 PM.
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From: Kentucky
Originally posted by SSpdDmon
I guess you can take my experience for what it's worth. I had the exact same setup you just bought (SLP lightweight billet steel flywheel + Centerforce DF). I guess I'm kinda against the clutch becuase it gave me problems. Going back to an LS6 clutch and stock flywheel, I gained back the 0.2~0.4 seconds I lost at the track from the Centerforce and lightweight flywheel. I don't doubt the grip in the clutch. It does grip like a ****....but, it didn't really shift to smoothly at higher rpms for reasons I already mentioned...and I'm not the only one who's had this problem (See GMHTP). As far as those weights being insignificant, I really have to disagree. If they weren't in rotation, that'd be different. But, they are. Those small weights do have a noticeable effect when they're rotating @ 5,000+ RPMs. Afterall, that's what they're desined to do...apply force through the use of mass in rotation. Unfortunately, as I've said before, the hydraulic assemblies in our clutch design isn't exactly the best thing GM has done. If it was a mechanical assembly, things most likely be different. Maybe I was just one of a few people that had a bad experience....I don't know. Just thought you'd wanna know what another '99 LS1 f-body went through with that setup.
I guess you can take my experience for what it's worth. I had the exact same setup you just bought (SLP lightweight billet steel flywheel + Centerforce DF). I guess I'm kinda against the clutch becuase it gave me problems. Going back to an LS6 clutch and stock flywheel, I gained back the 0.2~0.4 seconds I lost at the track from the Centerforce and lightweight flywheel. I don't doubt the grip in the clutch. It does grip like a ****....but, it didn't really shift to smoothly at higher rpms for reasons I already mentioned...and I'm not the only one who's had this problem (See GMHTP). As far as those weights being insignificant, I really have to disagree. If they weren't in rotation, that'd be different. But, they are. Those small weights do have a noticeable effect when they're rotating @ 5,000+ RPMs. Afterall, that's what they're desined to do...apply force through the use of mass in rotation. Unfortunately, as I've said before, the hydraulic assemblies in our clutch design isn't exactly the best thing GM has done. If it was a mechanical assembly, things most likely be different. Maybe I was just one of a few people that had a bad experience....I don't know. Just thought you'd wanna know what another '99 LS1 f-body went through with that setup.
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