Lightened Flywheels

[rapieper@yahoo.com (Ron Pieper)]

I disagree...engine braking would be hindered by NOT having the
flywheel helping to maintain the existing RPM.  Having the engine
quickly drop revs *decreases* the effect of engine braking - it would
provide little resistance.  Example:  imagine a massive flywheel - 5'
diameter - ...if you have a given car speed, and drop a gear and
release the clutch, your engine braking effects will be significant
since the engine *won't* easily change revs to match the car/gear.  If
you have a tiny flywheel, the engine RPM can more easily change,
reducing the effects of the engine's braking on car speed.  It's not
the speed of the engine that provides braking, it's the engine's
resistance to a change in speed (it's rotating mass, of which the
flywheel is a part).

Now, OTOH, engine braking is not something I do or recommend...I have a
tool for that, it's the brakes!

Ron

--- Dan Bubb <jdbubb@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> Wait a minute! Why would there be less engine braking?
> The braking effect of the engine is not changed by lightening the
> flywheel (since engine braking is a function of the engine trying to
> pump air against a closed throttle) and the reduced inertia means the
> engine revs will drop faster. As a matter of fact with the reduced
> inertia there is less mass holding the engine revs up so the net
> effect
> is slightly (very slightly) MORE engine braking.
> Dan
> 
> Ken Bates wrote:
> > 
> > Oooohh,  That is a good pont.  I would not have thought of that. 
> This mod
> > would be on my "list" the next time I do a clutch.    I am a
> "downshifter"
> > when i am driving hard and this diminished effect would be missed. 
> Thank
> > you for bringing that up.
> > Ken
> > '79 Scirocco 16v project "McFly"
> > '86 16v (parts car)
> > VORTEX:  "Indiana Red"
> > 
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Robert Piwonka" <tpiwonka@TTACS.TTU.EDU>
> > To: "Scirocco" <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
> > Sent: Monday, March 25, 2002 2:32 PM
> > Subject: RE: Lightened Flywheels
> > 
> > > on stock cams I noticed no difference in idle characteristics
> when I had
> > the
> > > Velocity lightened flywheel.  However donwshifts have less effect
> ie. less
> > > engine breaking and the car reved(sp) like a motorcycle ;)
> > >
> > > Robert Piwonka
> > > 86 16V
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org
> > > [mailto:scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org]On Behalf Of Allyn
> > > Sent: Monday, March 25, 2002 2:18 PM
> > > To: Euroroc II; Brian Wagner; Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> > > Subject: Re: Lightened Flywheels
> > >
> > >
> > > Heavy - slower acceleration, smooth idle
> > > Light - lumpy idle, at an extreme you may have to raise idle
> speed to
> > > maintain idle without stall
> > > Al
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Euroroc II" <flaatr@yahoo.com>
> > > To: "Brian Wagner" <scirocco_88_16v@hotmail.com>;
> > <Scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
> > > Sent: Monday, March 25, 2002 2:12 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Lightened Flywheels
> > >
> > >
> > > > So anyone want to clear up the pros and cons of lightening the
> fly
> > wheel?
> > > > I've got a good idea of the advantages and disadvantages but
> I'd like to
> > > > get them confirmed.
> > > >
> > > > -Raffi
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > At 12:07 PM 3/25/02 -0600, you wrote:
> > > > >6 is extremely light, most of the lightened flywheels you buy
> are
> > 8.3lbs
> > > > >that might be a better bet.
> > > > >
> > > > >Brian
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >>From: "Sal Guzzo" <pellom@YorkU.CA>
> > > > >>To: "Scirocco" <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
> > > > >>Subject: Lightened Flywheels
> > > > >>Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 12:20:57 -0800
> > > > >>
> > > > >>Hi all,
> > > > >>
> > > > >>I wanna lighten my flywheel but I'm not sure how much to take
> off.
> > It's
> > > a
> > > > >>210mm flywheel for an 8V.  I think that it weighs about 12
> pounds now
> > > and I
> > > > >>was thinking of having it reduced to about 6 pounds.  Is that
> kewl?
> > > > >>
> > > > >>TIA
> > > > >>
> > > > >>Sal
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
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=====
Cheapass Ron
"Victor" '87 16V Scirocco
"Teufelhasen" '93 Cabby <-For sale

If it ain't foggy, TURN OFF YOUR FOG LIGHTS.

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