Aftermarket Flywheel's/clutches

[Scartlead]

Hi All, looking at the next stage in my 8's never ending quest to destroy my bank balance

Next up are After market flywheels. Obviously it's better engine response from adding one and being advised the're good for brapping, but my main query is 'are they made equally?'

Does going as light as possible make a discernible difference?
Any brands better than others?
Same q's with counter weights?

As our traders have dried up somewhat I'm free to look about. You see it pays to be a trader on here

Couple of options I've attached links for.

http://essexrotarystore.com/product/com ... rx-7-rx-8/

http://essexrotarystore.com/product/com ... rx-7-rx-8/


Also will replace the clutch too and have attached a link. Would like it good/manageable for the street, plus able to take more power.

http://essexrotarystore.com/product/com ... -for-rx-8/

Thanks
Mark

[Conan]

Hi Mark,
I will try and remember the questions.
They should all do the job and a tiny bit of weight difference will not translate to a normal driver ( Lewis Hamilton wouldn’t be able to tell )
You should always buy the flywheel and counter weight together as a pair just in case. ( I would balance them personally )
The standard clutch is a good clutch and will take more power anyway ( clutch adjustment should be checked and maintained )
A stage clutch is heavyier action on your leg and some people do find this a problem to live with unless a track toy.
If it was me I would be contacting BigPete to snap up his bits now and i’d Get him to do it to ( i’m A little lethargic )
Regards
Pete

[Scartlead]

The total weight of some lightened clutches, along with their flywheels and counterweights,can be more than the overall weight of the equivalent oem components.

This is because the Renesis already has a lightweight flywheel (20% lighter than an RX7 FD) and the counterweight is built-in the the back of the flywheel as a change in wall thickness, rather than the separate part needed by all aftermarket options. Being closer to the edge, the angular momentum of the OEM weight is also more efficient.

Renesis counterweight.png

The Exedy (oem) clutch will handle more power than your car is capable of producing, while being much more progressive than most "competition" alternatives.

[Scartlead]

Thanks Chaps, yes I figured it may be a bit of a placebo effect by doing this, though hear me out. Im planning one of those beyond bridgeport builds and have been in contact with rrp about said build. Scott had mentioned, for the brap effect, an upgraded flywheel, while not a must, would help with the brap effect. Vain I know Now I cant verify that, but he knows what he's doing , so good enough for me.

Clutch, just to handle more power. How much does the oem exedy handle?

PS, Adam got your message. Just exploring whats out there at the moment.

[Conan]

The light weight fly wheel is definitely worth going for and you will notice a big difference.
I ment Lewis Hamilton would not be able to tell the difference between light weight flywheels with only a small difference in weight between them.
It’s not just about weight but where it is. The standard flywheel is weighted for balance at the outside and the counter weight on the light weight flywheel brings it close to axis.
The standard clutch should take 300 at the fly but everything is always driver dependant of course.
Because of the amount of money involved with new parts I would be happy to talk to BigPete about used parts
Regards
Pete

PS : I think I should add, you may need a different clutch if you going F1 as that can give a different type of power delivery as well as HP.

[Freeman38]

Flywheel yes, stage 2 clutch don't do it. The standard clutch is spot on and more than capable.
It has been the worse change I made, and I did for sprinting and hill climbing. I never had an issue with the standard clutch, but changed it when I had the flywheel done.

[Goobie]

Posted this the other day in another thread, may be some use to you .-

What's the benefit of light fly wheel?

Click here for some over the top info if you’re bored.

viewtopic.php?f=104&t=71003&p=1157553&h ... l#p1157553

[Scartlead]

How much power can the OEM clutch handle? Obviously the lack of torque helps!

[warpc0il]

Torque is a challenge for clutches, after all that's the main force that they're resisting.

However, the high revs of a rotary can also be a challenge for some aftermarket clutches, that are based on designs/production for "normal" cars; did anyone mention "Blue Print"

The perceived lack of torque can also be an issue for clutches as drivers are often tempted to slip the clutch more on hill starts or fast starts.
Clutches don't really wear when fully engaged or disengage, while some "competition" clutches seem to be only in one state or the other.

[xamtex]

viewtopic.php?f=170&t=76811
i bought this from bigpete and from the few miles ive done so far the pick up of the engine seems better(although its another engine so i may be seeing the benefits of the new engine)
the flywheel and counterweight together is 3 pounds lighter than the std flywheel and as said the weight is more central.
i did get my local machine shop the skim the face before fitting although there was no real wear on it.
i went with the std exceedy clutch from clive at MRP.

[Clive]

As said above standard Exedy clutch which are fitted to the RX-8 by Mazda is more than capable of handling any non turbo, non supercharged car, even if its fully bridge ported.

As for the counter-balance weight, this is such a crucial component to the engine, I would never fit any thing other than a genuine Mazda weight

[Scartlead]

Thanks for all everyone's help. Also as Clive alluded to, didn't think Mazda sold a separate counter weight..... Mucho £££ probably . I'm not planning FI but I am looking possibly at beyond a Bridgeport , ref RRP's new builds.

[V8 Power]

As per what Clive said, no matter what was done N/A I can't see it adding significant enough amounts of power/torque to be above and beyond what a standard clutch can take.
The standard item also seems capable of surviving a lot of abuse.

[Goobie]

Thanks for all everyone's help. Also as Clive alluded to, didn't think Mazda sold a separate counter weight..... Mucho £££ probably . I'm not planning FI but I am looking possibly at beyond a Bridgeport , ref RRP's new builds.

Clive sells the genuine counter weights, I bought mine from him.

£124 plus vat.

https://www.mazdarotaryparts.com/Mobile ... d_ID=59809

[kopite72]

Is there a need to change the counter weight when changing the clutch? Only asking because I'll be replacing my clutch in the near future and just need clarification

[Scartlead]

I plan to replace the flywheel Ian, so yes you'll need a counter weight as the ingenious way Mazda incorporated the OEM flywheel and weight means it's as one.

[Scartlead]

Thanks for all everyone's help. Also as Clive alluded to, didn't think Mazda sold a separate counter weight..... Mucho £££ probably . I'm not planning FI but I am looking possibly at beyond a Bridgeport , ref RRP's new builds.

Clive sells the genuine counter weights, I bought mine from him.

£124 plus vat.

https://www.mazdarotaryparts.com/Mobile ... d_ID=59809

Thanks G

[kopite72]

I plan to replace the flywheel Ian, so yes you'll need a counter weight as the ingenious way Mazda incorporated the OEM flywheel and weight means it's as one.

Sooo only if you're replacing the flywheel? No need to change it just if you're replacing the clutch?

[Scartlead]

Yep that's right. If you're only changing the clutch, you're golden

[PeteH]

Just to confirm, Ian. If you have a Mazda standard flywheel then you don't have (or need) a counter weight. The balance weight is incorporated into the flywheel already (the flywheel is asymmetric). If you have a lightweight flywheel then it will not have the integrated counter weight, so you will need to install a separate counter weight. The Mazda counter weight is from the auto, because the auto doesn't have a flywheel, so Mazda needed to use the counter weight to balance the engine. This is what people fit when they install a light weight flywheel.

I think all that is correct but, as always, am happy to be corrected if needed.

(I think the earlier versions of the 13B may also have had counter weights, because I think they didn't use the Renesis' clever asymmetric fly wheel. I'm not sure if the earlier counter weights are the same as the RX-8 auto counter weight though. Since the earlier rotors are heavier I assume the counter weight was also heavier)

[kopite72]

Thanks Pete, appreciated as always

[warpc0il]

That's my understanding Pete

[Scartlead]

As said above standard Exedy clutch which are fitted to the RX-8 by Mazda is more than capable of handling any non turbo, non supercharged car, even if its fully bridge ported.

As for the counter-balance weight, this is such a crucial component to the engine, I would never fit any thing other than a genuine Mazda weight

Clive , do you still offer discounts to members?

[kopite72]

No Mark, I asked him recently but since he's not a trader on here he doesn't offer discounts to members

[Scartlead]

Thanks Ian, that's a shame but hey