24 replies to this topic

[kenny86si]

ok within two weeks I will be doing my clutch and my flywheel will be resurfaced. I have a d16a motor, so should I get the stock fly turned (average)or try to find someone to shave it down to a lighter weight, or buy a lighter weight fly or what. Its getting close to that time to get r done. I would like to grab rpms faster and take advantage of the offerings of a lighter fly. What should I do?

[zackspeed]

Buy a lightweight flywheel! Go to the link from my other post and give them a call or find someone else that has them.

[Doodson]

Tom and Doodson,
You may not have had problems with yours but both cars are not driven on a daily bassis which puts a lot more strain on it. As power goes up the more chance there is of it coming apart. If you whant to take that chance then by all means go right ahead.

The metal of the stock flywheel was ment to be that thickness for a reason and this is why light weight units are made of stronger metals.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ya, I guess the 110hp that my car puts to the ground and the 120 that my buddys CRX puts down isnt enough to break a 12lb shaved flywheel. I think most of the guys on this forum with the stock engines would be doing well if they put that much to the ground.

and the reason the stock flywheel is made that heavy is not for performance but to make the engine smoother while shifting on the street. HEAVY FLYWHEELS keep the engine enertia rotating.

And just so you know Both myself and my buddy have changed to the Aluminum flywheels . Not for safety but for the 8-9lbs that they weigh.

Once again I do not see any problems with shaving a stock flywheel, But I guess we will just have to agree that we disagree

Doodson

[Hollowman]

I've got a lightened (14lb) stock flywheel on my DD D16A1 powered Civic that originally came from Jackson Racing... I've got over 30,000 miles on it before I took it out for a clutch job.. I just recently put it back in when I replaced my motor in September so about another 2-3k Miles on it now.. It still is fine.. I think if it is done incorrectly or too much then it could be a little unsafe.. I personally think 12lbs is the lightest you can shave a stock flywheel before it becomes unsafe..

And Doodson's right.. The stock weight of the flywheel is used to smooth out the engine for shifting.. With the lighter flyweel my revs drop much quicker when I let off the gas and can cause me to "feel" my shifts... Since these cars are ment for the public and most don't like the "jerky" feel of a shift during normal driving, they add weight to the flywheel..

But to each their own.. I feel that they are safe if done correctly and I have had both..

My .02 cents...

[sawchuk]

I have a turbo 86 Crx EW3 12 valve that makes 194.3whp 197.3torque I drive it every day 70 miles round trip to work not to mension all the miles hunting for so called fast cars. I had Ashland Balancing & Grinding do my flywheel. He does flywheel lightening work for world of outlaw sprint cars and porsches that race in germany just to mension a few of his customers. He is in his 50's and took the business over from his father who has had the business since the early 60's! He magnafluxed the flywheel before he lightened it and I had him magnaflux it again when I used up a clutch and was geting ready to replace it. It had NO CRACKS! My flywheel weighs in at 9.5 lbs It was one of the best performance mods Ive made besides 12-15 lbs. of boost. Its been in use for 50-60 thousand miles. I've owned a Crx since 1986. I've had normally aspirated EW3's that made 105 whp. I noticed alot of people give advice about stuff and sometimes it is very different from what I have found to be true for me. A lot people on this site know what they are talking about, but just like anywhere a few just put in their two cents. Thats as nice as I can put it.

[sawchuk]

The guy who lightened my flywheel also lightened & knife edged my crankshaft then micropolished the journals! I finished it up with a aluminum crank pulley. My whole bottom has been lightened. Now I want to get a moroso oil pan with oil control baffles and windage tray.

[Hollowman]

Well I guess it has been done safely at 9.5lbs.. Nice.. Most places won't take the extra step and magnaflux the flywheel unless you ask, at least from my experience around here.. Your guy seemed to take that extra step that is very good and you are lucky that you found him.. I stand corrected as far as the lightest safest weight..

Like I said, "if done correctly" a lightened flywheel is safe..

Last thing: Where is Pittsburg, CA?? I'm interested to know where Ashland Balancing & Grinding is and if it is close to me.. I'm about 11 miles outside of LA.. I would like to check this guy out for a motor I want to put together later on when I get time.. This guy sounds like a quality machinist and if the prices are reasonable and the turnaround is quick then he may be the ticket since most of the guys I know are busy and would take a little while to get my stuff in and out..

[sawchuk]

Ashland Balancing and Grinding is in Hayward, CA which is in the San Francisco, Bay Area. He specializes only in lightening and balancing crankshafts and flywheels. During race season he is really busy and unless you are a professional racer, I don't think you will get your stuff done until the off season. I was lucky because a guy I work with whose family races top fuel front engine nostalgia dragsters told me about him. PM me if you want the phone number.

[Hollowman]

Sounds like a cool deal.. I'll Pm ya.. Thanks..

[MrDisibility]

I sell AASCO aluminum flywheels....they are 7lbs for the D16A1 and the D15A3....

I have messed with this stuff a lot in the past. Without getting into a big technical post about it, trust me when I say:

1- You will love what one of these will do to your honda.
2- Having a machine shop grind your wheel down is totally safe and somewhat inexpensive compared to an aluminum wheel....but they are not as light either.
3- Honda does not recommend resurfacing wheels, but if you do it right this is ok too. They have to grind sown the face AND grinf down the pressure plate mounting face in order to maintain the proper "step."