Reply to "Flywheel and clutch"

For what it’s worth, I faced the same dilemma several years ago when I rebuilt the engines in my Panteras and Cobras. After talking with a number of respected engine builders I specified aluminum flywheels and I’m happy with choice. Using aluminum in the Cleveland and Windsor based engines saved me 12-16 lbs. in the rotating assembly over the original steel flywheels. The weight savings is great but the bigger deal is effect the weight loss has on the moment of inertia. The lower moment of inertia in the aluminum flywheel provides much faster throttle response, which results in faster acceleration and deceleration. Another bonus is that it suppresses wheel spin and I believe is much kinder to our expensive ZF transaxles.

While they were more expensive than steel, my aluminum flywheels are re-buildable as they have a thick steel friction insert that dissipates heat faster, maintains a flat friction surface and reduces the likelihood of distortion.