Idle thoughts about a lighter flywheel

[TomB]

I have seen the lightened flywheel for the 1.4 K for £100 on Caterhams website. I have a engineer mate who is happy with helping me with this biggish job.

 

Is it as relatively simple as removing the engine & replacing the old fly wheel with the new? Is a new clutch needed? if it is I wont bother (yet!).

 

Is it even worth doing with the standard 5 speed box?

 

Is drivablity greatly compromised or improved?

 

Please can any one who has done this on a 1.4 k comment on the complexity & pitfalls of the surgery & whether it made a worthwhile difference to the car.

 

 

[SLR No.77]

Tom, if you're going to this much trouble, hold off until you convert to 1800.

 

Stu.

[Allen Payne]

Having just fitted one I can confirm that the orginial clutch will still fit and the new flywheel is a LOT lighter then the orginial one.

 

All I've got to do now is get the engine back in the car.

 

Regards

Allen

[Rob Walker]

Its makes good sense to replace the entire clutch, the reason being the the AP uprated clutch has a much lighter cover plate and there is little point in replacing your flywheel for a lighter one and then fitting the heavy old standard clutch cover this is defeating your objective. Its also very bad practise to refit a part worn friction plate onto a new flywheel, it would never bed in correctly and will not transmit the torque that it should. I would also replace the CRB at the same time.

[SLR No.77]

How would the lightweight 1400 flywheel feature when fitted to an 1800 engine. My 1400 to 1800 conversion is retaining the stock 1400 flywheel (with AP clutch) but obviously if I can get a benefit from the 1400 lightweight, I'll consider it.

 

Stu.