RE: Flywheels

["JMazlumian" <jmazl@domain.elided>]

Thanks to Frank and all others that responded.  It was my notion that the
function of the flywheel  is to add momentum to a slow revving engine.  I
did not know that a lighter flywheel would so severely impair the street
driveability.  May be a partial lightening wont cause harm, but probably
wont do any good either.  I do know its a hot item in *M* cars (not MB but M
followed by an uneven number), but still not sure of the real gain.  Guess
its not for street, at least.

Jorge
Frank also mentioned in his response:
"Lightened gears do have a great effect."
How much of an effect, and is it cost effective?

> >  +++++++++++++++++++++
> >  I don't have the answer, just a related question:
> >  In other marques, such as B**mers, they put a lot of emphasis in using
> light
> >  weight flywheels to decrease mass drag (inertia),  same
> principle used to.....................
++++++++++++++++
Frank responded:
>
> The lighter flywheel allows the engine to accelerate and
> decelerate faster,
> unfortunately the lack of mass inhibits smooth take off in first gear as
> there's not a lot of momentum to keep the engine going.  In extreme cases
> dumping the clutch at higher rpms with resulting wheelspin is the
> only way to
> get off the line in first gear................

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