Anyone here have any input as to how affective a lightened flywheel is in 3rd gear while pulling out of corners at low RPM like 4K?

Right now the 8 is gut-less and forces you to down shift in the corners or bog your way around the track.

 

well, if you are in corners at 4k you should be grabbing another gear in the braking zone, the engine just isnt effective/torquey at that rpm range

 

It helped me stay in the power band better, but I was in 3rd coming out of the corners at 6K. It is a great mod, but it is a little intrusive of a mod. Drop the tranny to the floor. My mistake was not upgrading the clutch at the same time.

 

That's what I'm hoping, shifting into 3rd sooner giving you more speed into corner, hence a higher RPM when exiting and to top it off a quicker pull out of 3rd gear.

It's the quicker pull out of 3rd I'm looking for.

 

wait..

are you not the one harrassing me about not having done this install....

well good news and bad news..

the prolite and counterweight are sitting next to my spare engine and trans...

bad news... have not got a clutch yet.... my guess makes a big difference..

beers

 

Ja, it was me!

Almost forgot I'll drink to that. ahh... that's better

 

just cause you called me out on this...

here you go...

beers

 

pm

beers

 

If you are down to 4000 in third then the flywheel will definately help as you will be able to shift into 2nd with a blip of the throttle & not lock up the wheels . Powering out at about 6000 in 2nd is much more fun

 

Um, just so that this is clear, the flywheel won't help you carry more speed into or through a corner. That's up to your driving skills.

Also, the benefit of a flywheel is directly proportional to how vigorously the car is accelerating. It has the greatest effect in 1st, somewhat weaker effect in 2nd, tapering off progressively as you go through the gears. As you say, at 4,000 rpm in third the car doesn't pull very well, so don't expect much from your flywheel. Keep the car in the power band, however, and you'll notice a difference.

So, either downshift or get a blower. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of light flywheels, but enhanced acceleration at 4000 rpm in third isn't the poster-child of light flywheel benefits.

 

^^ What George said ^^

In 1st & 2nd gear my ACT Prolite makes a big difference. 3rd gear difference is there, but not as much so below 4k RPMs.

 

I know that at my May Pocono North Track day that I would consistently get out accelerated by quite a few cars coming into the Nascar straight for the first few hundred yards until I got to the 'power' band in 3rd and went to 4th. Cars such as a new Cadillac SRX, Maserati BiTurbo would pull ahead early and I would be gaining on them at the end of the straight. Frustrating. The speed going into the straight was just fast enough to make a downshift into 2nd over the edge in terms of the strain it put on the car -- considering it was only a practice session and not competitive. When I was in traffic coming into that straight and could more safely go down to 2nd, I would pull with those same two cars all the way down the straight.

I am working on Google Video to upload some video of that. I can show the difference between staying in 3rd and going down to 2nd. If I was competing I would go to 2nd, without thinking but I was not.

So, I think the lightened flywheel might help that exact situation.

Oh, and 50 more horses...

 

Yes, please post the video.

I've been toying with the idea of going to 17" wheel in place of a flywheel.

Unfortunatly there is no gain to be had in gearing unless I loose traction grip on tires.

I love those Kumho's. The only way to get a gear reduction is to use Toyo TR1's which are shorter in height and sticker. But then the Toyo's will wear out too soon.

The only benefit I can see of going to 17" is lighter weight, but I can get the same weight with 18". the only true upside of 17" is cheaper tires by about $25 each.

Maybe the flywheel is the way to go after all.

 

Again, if you are getting pulled by other cars exiting a corner at low rpms in 3rd, a light flywheel isn't going to change that.

Gor for 2nd! The engine can handle it. Just make sure the oil is topped off, and perhaps use an oil additive to the fuel as discussed elsewhere on this forum. And, with the combination of a light flywheel plus using 2nd out of the corner, you just might end up pulling some of the cars on corner exit instead of vice versa.

Or, get stickier tires so that you can hold more speed through the corner, and perhaps there will be no need to go to 2nd. But that costs $$$.

 

totally agree - playing with gearing / rim size etc is not going to even come close to the effect of changing into 2nd . Not only does the LW flywheel allow an easier downshift but 6000 - 8500 in 2nd is where the flywheel gives the best improvement to the cars acceleration . So - go for the flywheel !

 

I think the money that you spend on a flywheel would be better spent modding the driver, to make yourself better!

 

I already out drive the car.

That's why I'm geeting a new secret weapon.

 

you outdrive the car? how much track time have you had?

 

I'm an Old fart. Been around since 1975!

Is that enough experience for you?

 

lol, not asking how old you are, just how much seat time you have had in this car. I might be able to learn something!

 

I disagree about the flywheels effectiveness. It will help at every RPM in every gear. When you take that weight off the car it will do every thing better. Yes you will feel it more in low gears, news flash the RX8 is a low power weak *** car and every gear you go up the slower it accelerates, that wont change just because of a flywheel. If you put two RX8s head to head with no other change but the flywheel the car with the light one will pull the stock car in every situation and every gear.

However for better lap times and overall track performance you would be way better off to buy some race tires and wheels. You say you can out drive the car, well easy to do when you are on skinny wheels and mid grade street tires. Get some grip and you will enter and exit every corner faster. Tires are the single biggest improvement you can make to the car. I could get more lap time out of a proper wheel and tire combo than all your other mods put together.

 

While the wheels may be skinny the Rubber is maxed out.

I've seen 275's 265's and 255's. Iknow the 275's and 265's will rub on the track.

 

BS... With the right offset there are guys on 285s.

A 245 Kumho MX is not a maxed out tire. They were ok back in 2001 now they are a mid pack street tire.

 

you run a light fly ULLLOSE?

 

All stock. But I have driven many different cars with them and it is a nice mod for any car.