Lightened flywheel?????
11-12-2007, 02:10 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1
Lightened flywheel?????
This is my first building of a high HP gas engine (I work on big rigs for a living) and keep hearing different stories from people I know about this. I'm hoping that I can get some good info from here.
I've read a couple of posts on this subject, but I can't seem to find anything that will help me. I've got an '89 5.0 HO that I am building up to swap into a Ford Ranger. On paper, I'm figuring I should have around 400HP with the mods I have done. My questionsare: Would I benefit from a lightened flywheel with this build? If so, how much lighter should I go? If I change the flywheel, do I need to change the harmonic balancer, too?
When I get my truck built, it won't be strictly a racer. I plan to drive it on the streets and occassionally take it to the track to see how it does.
Thanks for any advice I can get
I've read a couple of posts on this subject, but I can't seem to find anything that will help me. I've got an '89 5.0 HO that I am building up to swap into a Ford Ranger. On paper, I'm figuring I should have around 400HP with the mods I have done. My questionsare: Would I benefit from a lightened flywheel with this build? If so, how much lighter should I go? If I change the flywheel, do I need to change the harmonic balancer, too?
When I get my truck built, it won't be strictly a racer. I plan to drive it on the streets and occassionally take it to the track to see how it does.
Thanks for any advice I can get
11-12-2007, 03:16 AM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Posts: 1,185
RE: Lightened flywheel?????
no you do not need a lightened flywheel, but it is a good idea to get a new harmonic balancer, there cheap and if yours is stock it probably neeeds replaced. What are your mods because its pretty hard to get up to 400hp without nitrous/turbo/supercharger so id like to hear whats up.
11-12-2007, 09:49 AM
#5
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Posts: 72
RE: Lightened flywheel?????
its not really that hard to get to 400 hp without a power adder with an hci swap especially if its stroked. 331 with afr 185's r-series intake and custom cam will already be at over 400 to the wheels.
11-12-2007, 10:34 AM
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Posts: 1,999
RE: Lightened flywheel?????
There are advantages to either set up. You have to decide what you need more.
Heavy is a smoother idle. It will be easier to take off from a dead stop in normal driving because the rpms will want to stay up as you introduce a load to the engine. If you have a drag type set up, suspension, tires etc. You can launch from a high rpm and let the flywheel inertia help you launch.
Advantange of a light flywheel. It allows the engine to rev up a slight bit quicker.
IMHO. Light flywheels for low torque, front wheel drive cars.
Heavy is a smoother idle. It will be easier to take off from a dead stop in normal driving because the rpms will want to stay up as you introduce a load to the engine. If you have a drag type set up, suspension, tires etc. You can launch from a high rpm and let the flywheel inertia help you launch.
Advantange of a light flywheel. It allows the engine to rev up a slight bit quicker.
IMHO. Light flywheels for low torque, front wheel drive cars.
