Author Topic: Aluminum Flywheel question  (Read 2973 times)

e3091318is

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Aluminum Flywheel question
« on: February 26, 2013, 02:16:04 PM »
I have a 1991 318is and I have heard that these dreadful dual mass 28 pound flywheels kill you first and second gear.  Has anyone used one of the aluminum flywheels I find around the Internet?  I'm not really interested in the M20 swap either.  I know it's cheaper but there seems to be more time and mods to it.  What kind of performance enhancement would I be getting and any feedback would be appreciated.  Thanks!
2000 Mercedes S500 (Sold)
2001 BMW 325CiC (Sold)
2003 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6 (Sold)
2001 Audi A6 2.7T (Sold)
1984 318i Coupe (Sold)
1991 318is Coupe (Current Project)

fumstoo

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Aluminum Flywheel question
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2013, 03:52:08 PM »
I run a JB aluminum 11lb flywheel on my m42 turbo car. If I could do it again I would do the m20 swap instead. There really isnt that much to it and its cheaaaaaaaaaaper! Even having an m20 wheel lightened the total cost would be less than the aluminum route.

e3091318is

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Aluminum Flywheel question
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2013, 04:10:44 PM »
Quote from: fumstoo;120510
I run a JB aluminum 11lb flywheel on my m42 turbo car. If I could do it again I would do the m20 swap instead. There really isnt that much to it and its cheaaaaaaaaaaper! Even having an m20 wheel lightened the total cost would be less than the aluminum route.



Cheaper, yes.  But how much extra labor hours would it be?  But the main question, what kind of performance would I be looking at?  Would it help at all with the sloooow 0-60 stock M42's have?
2000 Mercedes S500 (Sold)
2001 BMW 325CiC (Sold)
2003 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6 (Sold)
2001 Audi A6 2.7T (Sold)
1984 318i Coupe (Sold)
1991 318is Coupe (Current Project)

romkasponka

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Aluminum Flywheel question
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2013, 05:30:00 PM »
Labour is 2-3hr lightening with balancing. You will get stronger clutch also. It will help with 0-60. Page 11 http://www.zf.com/media/media/document/corporate_2/products_3/motorsports_1/product_range_motorsports/catalogue/sachs-racing/RCS_zf.pdf
E30 318is M42
E36 318is M44

audirs7

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Re: Aluminum Flywheel question
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2013, 02:03:40 PM »
well, i found an aluminum flywheel with clutch for 889, and a clutch/flywheel swap is something you can do yourself fairly easily... so its really not that expensive.

wazzu70

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Re: Aluminum Flywheel question
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2013, 10:50:42 AM »
The M20 flywheel is not any more difficult to swap than an M42 ltw flywheel. Its the same process.

Personally I found not being able to use a factory starter a PITA. I would either go with the Metric Mechanic M20 flywheel with M50 ring gear, or just use one made for an M42.

Another option is the non-A/C single mass flywheel which is a factory M42 part.
-Nick
91 E30 M42 with VEMS

e3091318is

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Re: Aluminum Flywheel question
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2013, 12:09:14 AM »
Thank you for all the helpful responses.  I will keep in my dual mass for about a year then swap it out.
2000 Mercedes S500 (Sold)
2001 BMW 325CiC (Sold)
2003 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6 (Sold)
2001 Audi A6 2.7T (Sold)
1984 318i Coupe (Sold)
1991 318is Coupe (Current Project)