Re: Steel versus aluminum flywheel????
[Re: Big Squeeze]
#866112
11/29/10 12:18 AM
11/29/10 12:18 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,504
So. Burlington, Vt.
fast68plymouth
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,504
So. Burlington, Vt.
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its the clutch/flywheel combo really.
with an aluminum wheel, you're going to need something(clutch or tire) to slip more, to keep from pulling the motor down too far on the launch.
on my buddies stocker, the aluminum wheel is slightly quicker....when the clutch is working right.
68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123
Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
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Re: Steel versus aluminum flywheel????
[Re: fast68plymouth]
#866113
11/29/10 12:47 AM
11/29/10 12:47 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,491
Oologah, Oklahoma
Big Squeeze
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,491
Oologah, Oklahoma
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Quote:
its the clutch/flywheel combo really.
with an aluminum wheel, you're going to need something(clutch or tire) to slip more, to keep from pulling the motor down too far on the launch.
on my buddies stocker, the aluminum wheel is slightly quicker....when the clutch is working right.
I was planning on calling you in the AM to ask your thoughts........I've been looking into getting a Soft-Lok and Hyatt's recommending an aluminum flywheel.........I was curious if anyone here had done any good back to back tests.......
I know that when I race cars that are similar in ET, my car with a steel flywheel, leaps about a 1/2 car length on each gear change when power shifted, and I'm assuming that's from the inertia of the stored energy of the steel flywheel at 6,500........and I'm guessing it won't do that as much with an aluminum flywheel???
If you can't handle the truth, you're living a lie.......
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Re: Steel versus aluminum flywheel????
[Re: AndyF]
#866115
11/29/10 09:19 AM
11/29/10 09:19 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,491
Oologah, Oklahoma
Big Squeeze
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,491
Oologah, Oklahoma
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Quote:
It is going to depend on the combination. Weight, gear ratio, trans ratio, torque curve, etc.
Lighter is faster except when it isn't. You can spend a lot of money trying to wring out the last few tenths. If it is just a bracket car I'd use something bulletproof and not worry about the last couple of tenths. If it is a class car then open the wallet and start testing.
It's my street car.......and I want it to go as fast as it can go.......I'm thinking of doing a back to back test myself.......Do you think Mopar Muscle might be interested in the article, if I document everything?  
If you can't handle the truth, you're living a lie.......
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Re: Steel versus aluminum flywheel????
[Re: Big Squeeze]
#866116
11/29/10 10:21 AM
11/29/10 10:21 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,209
New York
polyspheric
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,209
New York
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leaps about a 1/2 car length on each gear change when power shifted
You're getting back some of the power used to accelerate the flywheel. A light wheel won't do that, because it didn't use that power - it ll went to the tires.
A light wheel means re-learning your launch technique, including RPM, clutch slip, and chassis setup. If you get it right it may launch as well (probably not better), and the accel in low gear after the tire hooks is always better.
For a street roll-it-out-and-punch-it (no traction loss) it's faster in 1st, almost no effect in 4th.
Boffin Emeritus
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Re: Steel versus aluminum flywheel????
[Re: perfmachst]
#866118
11/29/10 04:11 PM
11/29/10 04:11 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 690
New Hampshire, USA
oldiron
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 690
New Hampshire, USA
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Quote:
hi, few years ago, done a test between heavy and light wheels. the aluminum wheel was .20 faster. also , could launch at a higher RPM, didn't have the flywheel effect of spinning the tires.the MPH was about 2 MPH faster. this wad with a B&B clutch and rag disc.very postive clutch. tim hyatt is very good at figuring clutch /flywheel setups. all this in a 340 duster /stocker. running 11 sec.
I would add that if you are going to drive hard on the street/ or lots of passes w/o cool down the steel wheel is more reliable. AL FWs have a steel insert held w/rivets. Steel/AL expand at different rates and have popped lots of rivets and warped inserts. I usually run 2 stick classes and sometimes (when I'm almost on my game), its round robin at least for a few rounds. Just something to consider. I'm prob going back to steel FW and steel pressure ring on the clutch assembly. A little slower is OK since we don't get paid to go faster.
66 Belvedere Vert, 4 Speed/Jerico, slowly, very slowly, getting faster - NA LD Wedge New New Best: 10.56 @129 68 B'cuda 4 gear Jerico - Another New Best of 9.86 & Trying to slow up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4jDLKwd9Gs
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Re: Steel versus aluminum flywheel????
[Re: oldiron]
#866119
11/29/10 10:47 PM
11/29/10 10:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,504
So. Burlington, Vt.
fast68plymouth
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,504
So. Burlington, Vt.
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Quote:
68 Barracuda 4 Speed/Jerico, New Best! 1.35 60', 10.13 @ 131, slowly, very slowly, getting faster - NA LD Wedge
Greg, sounds like that thing is coming around nicely 
68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123
Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
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Re: Steel versus aluminum flywheel????
[Re: fast68plymouth]
#866121
11/29/10 11:47 PM
11/29/10 11:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555
Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555
Rittman Ohio
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I talked to a few of the "seasoned" veterans over at UMTR and there were many conflicting opinions on both sides of the fence.In general I came away from the discussion with the understanding that if your engine can recover quickly from the RPM drop at the hit and gear changes then the aluminum will be quicker  But if your specific combination needs the inertia of the big heavy wheel then it will run more consistent and stay "up on the pipe" through the gear changes.Just like most street/strip stick guys I try to balance on the edge  I have a lightened steel wheel 23# with a really heavy Hays Mark XII plate and it seems to work with my mild stroker  Gus 
64 Plymouth Savoy
493 Indy EZ's by Nick at Compu-Flow
5-Speed Richmond faceplate Liberty box
Dana 60
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