Miata Mailing List: May 1999, Message #37

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In a message dated 4/30/99 11:43:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
BBirdwell@swri.edu writes:

> A lighter flywheel is one of the last things I 
>  would do to increase performance (cost versus benefit).
>    Purpose of the flywheel is to smooth out the power pulses .....

  Sound advice all 'round.  I don't necessarily agree that it's one of the 
last things to try, especially if you're already in there, but then I tend to 
remove before adding in search of performance.  One point I haven't seen made 
is that reducing the mass of the flywheel also reduces it's heat absorption 
capacity.  I'd think this more important on a flywheel than a brake rotor, 
where heat dissipation is more important than storage (depends on duty cycle 
I guess).  Come to think of it, I wonder if anyone has tried drilling or 
slotting a flywheel?
  Your Jeep experience reminds me of the time a friend fragged the flywheel 
in his 57 Chevy with a 64 409/425 HP.  It trashed the back of the crank and 
block, the trans input shaft, the bellhousing, floorboard, dash, passenger 
door, windshield, roof, neighbor's dining room window, and a small patch of 
asphalt.  There may have been some birds killed as well -- I don't remember.  
Amazingly, he escaped with slightly ripped and permanently soiled Levis.
  Foureagles