Aluminum flywheel benefits?

[Sleeper]

Originally posted by applebit
You know another thing that improves power with the same effect as an aluminum flywheel? Lightweight rims...

Less rotating mass is a wonderful thing

[theduckylittle]

Uh... did you miss the entire above discussion about interia, torque, and momentum?

-Duck

[Sleeper]

Talkin to me? Cuz if you are and you cant read, that post I quoted was about lightweight rims...

Plus, I don't think you have done any testing at all to see if an aluminum flywheel is better for drag racing than a steel one. You do realize that if something is heavier, it is also harder to accelerate (ie. climb in rpms). We arent talking about those little made in China cars that you played with this morning where you give it a push and the heavy steel stator keeps it going.

Geez...now I see what Bill means...

[theduckylittle]

No I wasn't actually, I was talking about Applebit's post which just said things matter-of-factly and ignored the above discussion.

Actually, I've done quite a bit of research on it. Experimentation, no, but when I had my car apart it was an option I heavily considered. When something is heavier it can carry more momentum, momentum translates to torque, and torque is what's important to going fast in a straight-line.

In road-racing you want to keep the weight down going around corners the engine can stay in the higher-RPMs with less problems.

-Duck

[JET]

Well, I have been running an aluminum flywheel for a few years (in a DSM) and it does make a little difference. By no means a .3 sec difference like someone stated. There is a point you don't want to go below. Ours are 19 lbs stock and the aluminum one is 11 lbs. That is the point where it starts to get tricky to launch. The launch is the only downfall to it, acceleration is faster and is really noticeable when punching it from a cruise.

[Sleeper]

Originally posted by theduckylittle
When something is heavier it can carry more momentum, momentum translates to torque, and torque is what's important to going fast in a straight-line.

-Duck

If the pistons themselves had all that momentum from extra mass, there is your torque...trying to slow down those pistons will show you how much torque they carry. The problem is the pistons and the big bang are what drive your wheels and anything in between robs power. How come the hardcore dragracers don't have 4" driveshafts made of solid steel? Wouldn't that be as 'effective' as a steel flywheel then? Why do they resort to crazy things like aluminum driveshafts and gun-drilled axles?

[Shadowgray03]

Originally posted by 99SSleeper
If the pistons themselves had all that momentum from extra mass, there is your torque...trying to slow down those pistons will show you how much torque they carry. The problem is the pistons and the big bang are what drive your wheels and anything in between robs power. How come the hardcore dragracers don't have 4" driveshafts made of solid steel? Wouldn't that be as 'effective' as a steel flywheel then? Why do they resort to crazy things like aluminum driveshafts and gun-drilled axles?

I think you are trying to greatly oversimplify something that isnt so simple.

[Sleeper]

It's so Duck can almost understand....

[mnstang]

Originally posted by 99SSleeper
How come the hardcore dragracers don't have 4" driveshafts made of solid steel? Wouldn't that be as 'effective' as a steel flywheel then? Why do they resort to crazy things like aluminum driveshafts and gun-drilled axles?

well because the driveshaft isn't spinning at 5,000 rpm like a flywheel is when the tree drops.
the only time i see a heavier flywheel helping is launching, and powershifting.
but i think the benefits of aluminum far exceed steel, at least for roastem's application.

When something is heavier it can carry more momentum, momentum translates to torque, and torque is what's important to going fast in a straight-line.

what are you talking about? do you realize the only time that momentum will help you is when the engine is decelerating? (dumping clutch, etc).

[Sleeper]

Originally posted by mnstang
well because the driveshaft isn't spinning at 5,000 rpm like a flywheel is when the tree drops.

what about the mass of the flywheel after the car is moving and the engine is trying to rev from 3500-6000 rpm....?

I know what you mean, but a lightweight drivetrain (including flywheel) will be easier to spin up than heavier components...you will see benefits of an alum. flywheel after the car is moving, the benefis of the alum. driveshaft etc. come into play as the car launches and as the car accelerates.

[mnstang]

Originally posted by 99SSleeper
what about the mass of the flywheel after the car is moving and the engine is trying to rev from 3500-6000 rpm....?

I know what you mean, but a lightweight drivetrain (including flywheel) will be easier to spin up than heavier components...you will see benefits of an alum. flywheel after the car is moving, the benefis of the alum. driveshaft etc. come into play as the car launches and as the car accelerates.

i know man i completeley agree with everything you've said
obviously it would spin up faster if you're revving from 3500-6000.
dude you should re-read my post it was totally supporting aluminum flywheel..... but i just pointed out one error in the case you were trying to make. -sometimes i like to argue both sides and show each side's positives & benefits.

[Sleeper]

I like to argue too.

Good day...I SAID GOOD DAY!

[mnstang]

Originally posted by 99SSleeper
I like to argue too.

" wut you gonna doooo?"

[Drunko McMoppo]

If you plan on doing alot of circle track racing it might be nice, but you could always get some cool APC stickers instead.