Flghtwheel question -- pending instalation

[ppto2you]

I recently bough a flywheel for an NC. The mechanic claims the car will be a pain in the butt in the highway--cruising at 70-80mph will be at a higher rpm rate. Much worse than the first generation miata, he said. This would chatter my expectations. Is this true? Any comments from those with lightened flywheels? He also recommended that I shave the OEM just a couple of pounds.

Thanks in advance

[v67gsr]

I recently bough a flywheel for an NC. The mechanic claims the car will be a pain in the butt in the highway--cruising at 70-80mph will be at a higher rpm rate. Much worse than the first generation miata, he said. This would chatter my expectations. Is this true? Any comments from those with lightened flywheels? He also recommended that I shave the OEM just a couple of pounds.

Thanks in advance

What he said is not true.

[richamby]

+1

RPM at highway speeds won't change.

You'll have to "ride" the clutch a little more starting on hills.

Car will "feel" like it lost a little torque off the line, part throttle starts from rest but will accelerate faster at full throttle. Upshifts and downshifts at high RPM's will be easier.

Ric

[tmurf03]

I've had mine (Fidanza from Brian) for about 2 weeks now. Here are my impressions. Initially, I was actually somewhat disappointed at how unnoticeable it was. I think it launches easier in daily driving. It seems less likely to stall. There seems to be less exhaust noise, like the engine is not working as hard. The loss of engine braking is most noticeable, but I hear that's not good for your engine anyway. The character of the car changes some. It just doesn't "lug" like it use to since the engine revs easier. I guess that's why Mazda went with the heavy flywheel, just for the feel, because I can't see any problem with the lighter flywheel. It could easily come from the factory like this. Solo this weekend, so I'll put it to it's intended purpose. I'll find out if it was worth it. See ya.

[tmurf03]

My wife drove the Miata to work yesterday. She can't tell anything is different. You have to be very familiar with your car to notice any change.

[tmurf03]

Though the flywheel is hardly noticeable on the street, it had a measured effect on my solo run this weekend. I run CSP due to my Eibach springs, on street tires, though they are 235/40 Goodyears. So I'm not super competitive. It's a fun, popular class, so that's alright. Anyway, I've been running about 7.5 seconds behind a fast NA that usually wins. Well, Sunday I finished less than 4 seconds behind. The car is noticeably quicker. Even my wife who was 14 seconds behind me last race, was only 6.5 secs behind this time. That's probably 90% or better, the car improving for both of us. I noticed I beat or came close to cars in other classes I hadn't b4. Also, we had 5 runs, and I 360ed on 2 runs (3rd and 5th, same place both times) trying to carry the extra speed where I didn't have the car or talent to do it.

Anyway, I'm a satisfied customer. Can't wait to get some Ohlins! This car has loads of potential.

[ppto2you]

well, thank you all for the replies. I'm glad to say that I went ahead with the installation and the car doesn't feel like my old 91 on the hwy. I did go to a different mechanic, though--a transmission specialist--and not the guy who told me that the flywheel would ruin hwy ride quality.

On a side note. . . TO MY AMAZE and disbelief, while they had the car on the lift, I noticed that the midpipe didn't have the sensors installed (I have the DC header). So on close inspection, I noticed that the guy who installed the header, the same who made the funny statement, had TAPED the sensors to the header as opposed to extend the wiring and install the sensors where they're supposed to go on the midpipe.

Regarding my impressions on the flywheel, I do notice a faster rev-up. Will post more after track day.

[Brian]

Glad you like the flywheel.

Very interesting on the O2 sensors....was the engine light on?

[ppto2you]

...was the engine light on?

It came up a few days later--ran the car with the light on for a few days until getting the cable. Perhaps a good idea to include plug & play cables with the soon to come RS header.

[Brian]

Will eventually have the plug and play cables as an option thanks to our friends at Racing Beat but not initially.