Most of us are familiar with the advantages of a light aluminum flywheel. A lighter flywheel robs less power from the engine, as an engine accelerates through its rev range; a flywheel mass requires power to accelerate it to higher rpm. A flywheel frees up the engines power that would be spent spooling up the heavy flywheel, so although a light flywheel doesn't actually make more power, it allows more power to reach the wheels. A light flywheel also allows the revs of the input shaft to fall slightly quicker during shifts, unloading it, making work for the transmission's synchronizers a little easier, speeding shifting and extending syncro life.

A light flywheel does have some disadvantages. Generally a light flywheel needs a little more clutch slippage to get off the line smoothly. A light flywheel also transmits more of the engines vibrations through the drivetrain where they can become annoying to the driver and passengers.

Installation of a lightened flywheel isn't too difficult, but it can be cumbersome. Allow yourself the better part of a day if you're mechanically declined, or a few hours if you're proficient in the art of automotive tech. You'll have to replace the pilot bearing, which is included with most applications (double-check to see if yours will require one) and make sure you install new flywheel and pressure-plate bolts as well.

Different grades of light flywheel are available for different situations have a chat with our members in the Torquecars forum to discuss your required application. If you feel tempted to make your own light weight flywheel by drilling holes in it torquecars urge you to reconsider.

Even standard flywheels that are put into cars are balanced. A wobble in the flywheel can have disastrous consequences on the engine and will reduce your red line significantly. A fly wheel that breaks will send a buzz saw of metal through the car potentially causing injury to driver and passenger.

• ·      Light flywheels help RPM's to fall between shifts
• ·      Light flywheels will help more power to the wheels