I have some questions regarding the operation of stock flywheels verses lightweight flywheels. This is just for my information, because I am a little confused on how it all works.
In my understanding, stock flywheels are heavy for a reason. They provide rotational weight to keep the crank rotating between firing impulses. So, the weight is there for a reason. They also help smooth engine vibrations to some extent, if I am correct. Having the weight keeps the car daily drivable i assume.
So, when you have a lightweight fly, it still has to keep the engine rotating between firing impulses, right? Does the stock flywheel come "over-weighted"? Does it still keep the engine running smoothly? or is there more vibration felt inside the car?
I guess I'm just looking for an explanation on how the lightweight flywheel affects the car. I already know with one, there's less mass for the crank to move, therefore more power gets to the wheels, Less rotational Mass=More power, better throttle response, etc. But how does it keep the crank spinning smoothly?
I'm sorry if this isn't clear, I'm just confused about it. I'm trying to figure out how this all works in my head, and I'm having some difficulty. I've been thinking about getting a lightweight flywheel, but I'm not sure, since there are so many opinions out there for and against them. I just need some information to see if it's something I'd actually like to do.
Your motor has Balance shafts to keep the engine vibrations down and counter rotate when the crank rotates.
The difference in weight between the fly wheels just gets rid of the extra rotating mass for quicker revs and all the other stuff you've listed.
But honestly with all the lightweight fly wheels shearing off on our cars, just stick to the stock ones.
Thanks for the info. Is there any other benifits of a lightweight flywheel?
BTW, this isn't unfortunately for a J body. It's for an Escort ZX2, my new car.
BOO ZX2!!!
I believe that the 2.4's had a bad batch made a year or 2 back from fidanza. If your flywheel was made in that time, there are several that sheared.
I have heard of other situations that the car revs TO fast, and the computer has a hard time keeping up. i dont think this would be the case for the vehicles in question, especially with no other mods.
Besides the shearing failure on some, i have heard a lot of good things from a lightened flywheel on a N/A motor. a lot of boosted people like to keep it heavy though.
John Benham wrote:BOO ZX2!!!
Alright, I get it. You don't like the ZX2.
I'm considering setting it up for boost in time, and I've been reading on the Escort forums as well, so I will most likely keep the stock flywheel.
Thank you for all the information though. I do like to learn.
John Benham wrote:BOO ZX2!!!
I believe that the 2.4's had a bad batch made a year or 2 back from fidanza. If your flywheel was made in that time, there are several that sheared.
I have heard of other situations that the car revs TO fast, and the computer has a hard time keeping up. i dont think this would be the case for the vehicles in question, especially with no other mods.
Besides the shearing failure on some, i have heard a lot of good things from a lightened flywheel on a N/A motor. a lot of boosted people like to keep it heavy though.
A lot from a wide range of years have broken. There is what would appear to be a big design flaw in the flywheel. To many have failed for it to have been just a bad batch.
^^^correct me if i am wrong, but those were still all Ld9's.
And I believe there was a whole year that they were being made, with the centers not strong enough.....but THAT info could be wrong. I have heard a lot of chat about production dates with that particular flywheel.
The flywheels that I have seen and heard of have been purchased over a long range of years and for multiple transmissions. They were all 2.3/2.4 engines that it happened on. As I stated there is what appears to be a BIG design flaw in the flywheel. The chance that they all came from the same bad production run is very slim. Personaly after my experience and the frustration/money it cost me I will never use another Spec/Fidanza flywheel again, regardless of what it is going into.
DO NOT PUT A LIGHT WEIGHT ON A ZX2 i had a zx2 with over 14000 dollars into it, and the ONLY thing that ever went wrong was the POS light weight flywheel i had....
get a centerforce dual friction clutch and you will be fine......there pic of my zx2 on here somewhere
seriously? who mods an escort?
-Trailblazer SS - not so custom 6.0L - custom intake - custom tune
- (1) 2.4L on an engine stand (1) blown trans (2) good quad trans (1) eco trans = party
who mods a grand ma?
Riddle me this... riddle me that...
z yaaaa (the riddler) wrote:who mods a grand ma?
Um... Spy has the right to mod his GA. I know him from gagt.com. I give him lots of respect for what he's done to that motor.
SpyhunteR wrote:seriously? who mods an escort?
I do. I mod anything I drive, pretty much.
My goal is to have a killer sleeper. or something close to it.
EVOFire (DesertTuners) wrote:DO NOT PUT A LIGHT WEIGHT ON A ZX2 i had a zx2 with over 14000 dollars into it, and the ONLY thing that ever went wrong was the POS light weight flywheel i had....
Thanks for the info. I'll steal clear on the flywheel.
And thanks for the clutch idea. I've been trying to find a good one.
Im fairly certian he was just messing around with Spy. The Grand Ma sounds mean from the videos I have seen.
What size where those wheels? Those are almost the exact wheel I want to get. But I want to powder coat them black.
And where can I find the strut tower bars? I can't find them anywhere.
SpyhunteR wrote:seriously? who mods an escort?
Now I know that this was probably just a jab at a friend, but take a look at the URL. You're at a site where the majority of users mod Sunfires and Cavaliers.
Seriously. Who mods a Sunfire/Cavalier?
(Not me apparently, I need money god damnit
)
Fusion 9 Design // For all your web design needs!
I had a fidanza on my eco, it was great when I was n/a, but when i boosted it the damn thing was a POS, i ended up basically sheering the center out of it. One of my friends has replaced 2 because he keeps shreding the ring gear. That's the only experience I've got w/ them.
---------------------------------------------------
4 Cams...32 Valves...5 Liters...This Could Get Fun!
oh yeah, definitely was joking about the grand ma thing...
i respect the hell out of that car as well, after all... it IS freaking awesome.
Riddle me this... riddle me that...
Skunk wrote:I had a fidanza on my eco, it was great when I was n/a, but when i boosted it the damn thing was a POS, i ended up basically sheering the center out of it. One of my friends has replaced 2 because he keeps shreding the ring gear. That's the only experience I've got w/ them.
So now we have confirmation that it isnt only a 2.3/2.4 problem with the flywheels.
Ive had a fidanza on my car for almost 3years N/A and no problems, would I recommed one on
The early Fidanza had an issue with the timing ring hitting the crank sensor. The later model fixed this issue but then the fasteners for the timing ring would chip into the block. This isn't an issue if you just grind the fasteners or the block down a bit. If you have the time to spare, Fidanza will even repair it or send you the repair kit for it. Are you going to www.teamzx2.com for your info?
I've had my Fidanza for 5 years now and I wouldn't give it up. Rev matcthing for downshifts is second nature, 1st and 2nd gears go by very quick. My MPG improved as well. If you can afford it, get it. There are other mods that work better for the same price but if you have the money to spend on it, it makes a nice addition to the car and it drives better.
Oh, as for who mods an Escort. Consumer Reports rates the last Escort platform as a 'Best Buy' for new (when they were new) and used cars. Guess what cars were on the avoid list.
I'm running 8 psi on a stock factory engine with over 170,000 miles. It doesn't smoke, doesn't use oil, and it outruns SRT-4's. So, it seems smart people who like to hold onto thier money mod Escorts.
T3 Super 60 at 8 psi, FMIC, 2.5" charge pipes, HKS SSQV, Ford Racing UDP, MSD coil, SCT Xcal2, B&M shifter, S/R cluster (150mph), Eibach Sportline springs, 19mm RSB, ES bushing kit, Trubendz 2.5" stainless steel exhaust w/ resonator and Borla ProXS, custom LED brake light bar, Phantom Grip.
SpyhunteR wrote:seriously? who mods an escort?
Honestly, it's wasted money no matter what you mod. I'd put my faith in a Zetec motor or the 1.9L CVH over a LN2 or LD9 though for reliability.
I have a fidanza on my 01 Z24. No problems. Love it!!!! Makes the car soo much easier to drive, revs faster. I have also installed a fidanza flywheel on another 2.4 with a stage 3 spec clutch it is still somewhere with no issues.
FU Tuning
SERIOUSLY. Just shave the stock one down. RETAIN more livability, and lighten it up slightly. Cheers !.
My Cav
I give up...
i'm buying a VW those people love trees, so they should love eachother too... "Andy"
