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oversized flywheel?

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Dain Bramage

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i was talking to lethe last weekend, and he was telling me about a flywheel that someone, either AP, TG, or MC, makes, that is 10 lbs heavier than stock. supposedly this is supposed to help prevent the engine from dying while wheeling. considering the fact that i have stock t-case gears (for now) i was wondering if it was worth whatever it costs? i do kill my truck all the time, usually on hills or right when i start up an obstacle, so i usually end up rolling backwards, and turning the engine over backwards, which i am sure cant be good.

so, anyway, opinions/experiences?
 
That's a trade off I would not consider. You'd have an easier time at low RPM crawling over rough spots, but when you need to rev quickly you'd be screwed.
 
I have an LC 35 pound billet flywheel and Centerforce Dual Friction clutch. You can definitely feel a difference IMO. Ive also never have a hard time trying to get it to rev quick. Then again, how often do you really need to be able to rev the motor up fast?

The ONLY time I might have had a problem would be in mud trying to keep tire spin up, but I dont know if the motor bogging down had more to do with the flywheel, or the fact its a damn 22R.

Going from my truck to say Ashleys 4Runner, there is a HUGE difference. I find myself almost burning up her clutch the first few times trying to engage it because Im used to mine engaging hard, and then it lurches and jerks or boggs down when I try and put along in it because I'm used to mine not really bogging down over similar terrain.

~T.J.

EDIT: If you want, next time we're out together we can trade trucks for a few. Id like to see how your suspension feels first hand anyway.
 
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CrustyJeep said:
All the time.
Click to expand...
All the time like when? Its not like my motor doesnt rev "fast". In fact, Im not sure that you would even be able to tell I have the flywheel unless you sat in my truck and revved it, then you got in a truck without one right after mine and did the same. I hardly notice it going from my stock 4Runner to my truck. The pedal feel is what I notice more than the flywheel due to the clutch, unless Im trying to idle along over rough terrain in my 4Runner since it bogs and dies easier.

Besides, once you get the RPMs up, then they stay up more than they would without the flywheel due to the extra weight and making it harder to bog down.

Anyway, Im not trying to start an argument, Im just honestly curious as to when specifically you might need the motor to be able to rev up fast. I used to race AutoX and had light weight flywheels in my race cars, but that was justified since in a situation like that. I NEEDED to be able to control RPMs quickly while racing. Every little thing can help in a race car. I just dont see why you would need that level of control in a truck? Then again, Im not a heavy footed driver, I like to take the "finesse" lines, as little wheel spin and throttle as possible, maximize traction, etc.

More food for thought though... I wouldnt pay for one at $300 from LC. Mine came with the truck in a box along with the clutch, so it was included with the price of the truck when I bought it. I tossed it on and used it. I would get dual cases instead for the money. There are times (especially with my clutch) that I would kill for dual cases.

~T.J.
 
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Inertia. an object in motion tends to stay in motion. the heavier flywheel theoretically helps keep the engine spinning. good idea but probably a waste of time and money when you can upgrade gears and ditch the anemic 4 banger.
 
i hope to have a 4.7 case by the end of january, but i will be keeping the squirrels for quite some time, i am afraid.

TJ, isnt your engine pretty built? and i might be agreeable to swapping trucks for a day. just dont put any new dents in it. :fawkdancesmiley:
 
Yeah. I guess I forgot about that part. That may have something to do with the rev speed. Although, I dont think its fair to call a 22R "built" haha. I think a waste of money is more like it. I'm rebuilding a motor for my 4Runner right now, and Im not putting anywhere NEAR as much money into it. I felt bad enough putting the amount in it I have now instead of a motor with more potential, haha.

I also didnt mean for a whole day, or even really running trails. You would miss your suspension after about 100 yards, mines like driving a brick. The sidewalls are about all the flex you get, haha. I was just thinking for a few circles in the main pit area or something.

~T.J.
 
84Toyota4x4 said:
All the time like when?
...
Im just honestly curious as to when specifically you might need the motor to be able to rev up fast.
Click to expand...
If you have to ask............. :flipoff:

I rev that bitch all the time running trails. When I rev, I want it to rev NOW.
 
PullUout nailed it--its about the inertia to help you lug the motor without stalling..

I have ran this setup and we experimented with it years ago. Did it help--it did but that was without a crawlbox--which that resolved all those issues..

Does the flywheel affect how fast the motor winds up? you won't notice it and I ran it with 4 different motor configurations. Funny how people are replaying who have no idea what it was like to run a 4 popper :rolleyes: and needing more inertia.

But like I stated I would spend your $$ on a crawl box..
 
In the snow, I like the ability to rev...

Not too much need to around the woods. I am usually between 600-2000 at all times around Reiter/Naches. Unless it gets really muddy over east!
 
x3 on the crawl box, I don't know how heavy these flywheel's you are talking about are, but the 50lb. flywheel in ish's old buggy slowed down the rev's no questions asked. A heavy flywheel is just another advantage for a struggling driver.
 
I have a dual friction centerforce with the 10lb heavier flywheel. I also have dual cases and 4.7s.

I did notice a difference when Iinstalled the flywheel. I am running a 20r with 38.5s. and have no problems.

I am very happy with it.
 
JThompson said:
In the snow, I like the ability to rev...

Not too much need to around the woods. I am usually between 600-2000 at all times around Reiter/Naches. Unless it gets really muddy over east!
Click to expand...

agreed, i like the idea of a slightly heavier flywheel, but at the same time i don't because it does slow your "acceleration" down. and if you are need to jump on the gun and go in a "life or death" situation, that lag could be the breaking point...

Besides it's more fun to be able to stomp on it and put 'er sideways....oh...sorry squirrel masters... you wouldn't know what that's like :fawkdancesmiley: :haha: maybe someday i can tow you to get the feel for fast:redneck:
 
Boonie Buster said:
agreed, i like the idea of a slightly heavier flywheel, but at the same time i don't because it does slow your "acceleration" down. and if you are need to jump on the gun and go in a "life or death" situation, that lag could be the breaking point...

Besides it's more fun to be able to stomp on it and put 'er sideways....oh...sorry squirrel masters... you wouldn't know what that's like :fawkdancesmiley: :haha: maybe someday i can tow you to get the feel for fast:redneck:
Click to expand...
I thought for a moment that you were actually agreeing with me...
Dain Bramage said:
600? :eeek: dude, my truck doesnt even idle that low. :haha:
Click to expand...

Ummm... I know for a fact that when in crazy rock terrain, and even certain snow situations, I like my RPM's lowwwwww. I can get it much lower than idle.
 
My buddy has one in his truck and we can both notice a differene. It helps alot in the snow and keeps your from boggin down by storing the energy of the motor. As far as reving, unless your looking for that fast and furious instant 2k-8k rpm jump its not that much of a change at least to me.
 
Like I said, its not worth the $300 to me when you could go duals or regear for that. Those would make a bigger difference. However, if you're only interested in not stalling the motor as much - maybe. Its pretty hard to stall my truck compared to Ashleys stock 4Runner (like starting on a hill for instance). But, I do like having it. I think its one of those things that could only help the lower gears too once I go duals. It will still have the "stored" inertia from the weight, but have even less resistance to "use" it on because of the additional gear reduction now, so it very well may even improve a truck with duals already by putting one in. If that makes sense.

~T.J.
 

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