Originally posted by rollingstash:
The disadvantage of having a lightweight flywheel can most easily be seen when you are cruising along and come to a hill. With a very heavy flywheel, the rotational momentum helps keep the engine rotating at a constant speed (it wants to remain at a constant velocity), whereas with a light flywheel, the added force opposing foreward travel can slow the car down easier because there is not as much rotational momentum keeping the engine turning.

So yeah, that's that. This is all basic physics guys, don't let it fool you.



rollingstash,

I don't think this is quite true. You are forgetting about the engine's Torque.
Torque is the engine's resistance to opposing inertia.
Torque is what launches your vehicle, and what keeps your vehicle cruising.
With a lighter flywheel, your Torque specs should INCREASE because there is less
opposing inertia (mass) than in a lighter flywheel.

A heavier flywheel will only do a few things...

Slow down engine acceleration,
Smooth engine idle characteristics,
Improve engine braking, &
Improve shifting characteristics by maintaining flywheel momentum.

A heavy flywheel tends to remain in motion with LESS power than a lighter flywheel.
This is, of course, not considering forces other than momentum.

Pete... 2004 Mercury Marauder 300A Black Clearcoat/Dark Charcoal LEATHER DOB 10/31/2003 DOP 1/2/2004 www.mercurymarauder.net