The best flywheel to choose will depend on your engine torque, vehicle weight, gearing, and intended purpose. Choosing the proper weight is crucial in enhancing your driving experience.
Flywheels for four-cylinder and small-displacement six-cylinder applications may be lighter, as weight is related to flywheel diameter.
Standard-weight flywheels store more energy, and these flywheels are a good choice for helping to move stock-geared cars, and heavier vehicles like trucks, drag cars, rock crawlers, etc. Additionally, heavier flywheels slow throttle response and maintain engine rpm longer on deceleration, sometimes referred to as "hang time."
A lightweight flywheel translates to faster engine response, on both acceleration and deceleration. They're preferred for road racing and circle track because they allow the driver to drive deeper into turns with a sharper rpm drop as the driver lets off the throttle, then help the engine recover faster into its power band heading into the straightaway.
Turbocharged drag racers may prefer a lighter flywheel as well. Lightweight flywheels help to spool the turbo and can soften the launch with a high-torque engine.
Flywheel Material Recommendations by Application
Items |
Cast Iron Flywheel |
Nodular Iron Flywheel |
Billet Steel Flywheel |
Billet Aluminum or Lightweight Chromoly Flywheel |
Stock or OE Replacement |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, but excessive |
Not recommended |
High Performance Street |
Not recommended |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, but conditional |
Towing or Off-Road |
Yes, but with limitations |
Yes |
Yes |
Not recommended |
Drag Racing |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but conditional |
Road Racing |
No |
No |
Yes, but not optimum |
Yes |
Circle Track |
No |
No |
Yes, but not optimum |
Yes |
Drifting |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
This article is from our Dandong Foundry's How Flywheel Weight Affects Engine Performance
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