Lighter flywheel question

[PJJP]

Will a lighter flywheel show any power inprovement on the dyno or just SOTP feel?

[MikeR]

Ive heard it is more seat of the pants and quicker revving. But some have said it takes more to get the car rolling and so its difficult to drive around town. Some have installed and then had removed. If it was a track only car then maybe, but for street i decided not to do it.

I think you have rotors coming, so that will help, Also, if you dont have gears already, the 3:33's are nice. I heard roller rockers add about 30 rwhp.

You'll either get to a point where you just happy with it and leave it be, hope it doenst break. Otherwise you'll have to go to your other plan and build the motor, spend some big money and get 900-1000rwhp.

[Racer Robbie]

Right on Mike. the heaver OEM flywheel has more rotating mass therefor making it easier to drive on the street from a stop. On the track you are running at high RPM's therefor a lighter flywheel and clutch assembly has great benefits as there is less rotating mass. Chuck Tator has told me many times that he only installs factory OEM flywheels, pressure plates, and clutches with good reason. give him a call to discuss.

[PJJP]

I keep going back and forth on the flywheel thing. I would like to find someone locally who has one and would let me drive it so I can see how it is in daily driving.

Mike, I was not aware you could do roller rocker on the Gen3. I will probably stick with my 3.07 gears for now.

[plumcrazy]

robbie is right on this one. call tator and ask him why not to use a lightweight flywheel

[mjorgensen]

The Viper has more than enough torque to use a light flywheel with no ill effects. The heavy flywheel will help powerless cars but the Viper is definitely NOT that.

[PJJP]

seems like there is no consensus among everyone. I think if I can drive one, I could make my decision in about 10 minutes....

[viperbilliam]

PJJP, it's very hard to get a strong and clear consensus with this motley bunch! I've wondered about the lightweight flywheel but I don't want to do anything that might contribute to drivetrain lurching.

[Andrew/USPWR]

It's great for the track but not for the road. I took mine off my GTS.

[VIPER GTSR 91]

I had a light weight flywheel installed several years ago on my 99 and am very happy with it and have had zero problems in both street and track use. I noticed right away that the revs come quicker.Plus the reduced weight

[Steve 00RT/10]

Originally Posted by mjorgensen

The Viper has more than enough torque to use a light flywheel with no ill effects. The heavy flywheel will help powerless cars but the Viper is definitely NOT that.

49,000 miles so far with lightweight flywheels on 2 different cars. One of them has 19" tires, making the effective rear end ratio a 2.92. Absolutely zero drivability issues. I've started a few xcrosses in 2nd from 1500 RPM (not the 2.92 car) and spun till I lifted. I have done this with both 3.07s and the 3.45s in there now. As a test, I've also started from a stop in our neighborhood in 4th gear (3.45s). A little tricky, but very little slippage overall from a very low RPM start. Even with the flywheel, the Viper is probably the easiest clutched vehicle I've ever owned...and I've never been without one since the 60s.

Unless your new to a clutched car, it's hard for me to fathom the lurching thing. All stock flywheeled Vipers buck a little in 1st sometimes -- especially before completely warmed up.

IMO, the flywheel definitely adds to the package. Instant throttle response...I would guess like bigger throttle bodies provide. Better / shorter braking -- which counts on the street as well for a safety factor. Less rotating mass to stop.

Steve

[anaconda666]

I have one on my 98 GTS. Great for matching revs on down shifting, not so great if you make a slow upshift, and it definately "lurches" at low rpm's. All in all, I don't know if it is beneficial. It was on the car when I purchased it. Ron.

[redtanrt10]

Originally Posted by PJJP

Will a lighter flywheel show any power inprovement on the dyno or just SOTP feel?

My understanding is that you will show a slight increase on a dyno as you have less drivetrain loss with a lightweight flywheel.

You definately will feel the car rev quicker. I've got one on my Gen I, Gen II and Gen III,
no issues with street driving.

[Coloviper]

Installed the Fidanza Lightweight Flywheel and 3.55 gears to my stock 06' Viper. It is great and revs way, way quicker. Much improved kick in the pants and the way the car should have been delivered IMHO.

Bucking or lurching is minimal but will happen in some real low RPMS in the first few gears. Once it starts bucking, you just push in the clutch and let it out smoothly. Bucking goes away instantaneously. Honestly I feel the minor bucking or lurching comes more from the gear change than the flywheel.

I guess I am pretty use to this action from my S351R Saleens and other hi-Po cars I have owned with short gears.

As far as reliability, it is just fine so far. In town driving is not affected, but then again I am very use to this set-up.

[Viper X]

Old topic. Lots of info in the archives.

More a matter of preference.

My 02 cents, don't do a light flywheel on a Paxton car.

Do a light flywheel on all N/A cars, you will feel the difference. You may have a short "re-learning to drive the car" period (took me 5 minutes the first time).

In my 06 coupe with a light flyweel / stock clutch, you can get the car moving by just letting the clutch out, no revs necessary, no problems driving it.

FYI, the 2008 car has a lighter flywheel / clutch assembly than others before it.

Dan