I read on the IA website that a light weight flywheel will enable the motor to rev a little faster. Is this a significant bennifit? Are there any other bennifits? What, if any, are the tradeoffs of installing a light weight flywheel?

Mike

 

i have one (12 lbs vs. 28 stock). it'll be a little noisier (especially at idle), but i doubt anyone could tell it wasn't stock from peddle feel, etc. can't tell you if it revs faster or not because i had it installed with a supercharger and while it most certainly does rev faster it could easily be a product of the nearly 50% power increase.

 

Zippy,

I have a single mass clutch and light flywheel. The advantage is the rpm's go up faster. Yes, faster acceleration. The disadvantages are it is a little noiser. Yes, if you listen, especially at idle , you can barely notice it. In addition, if you blip your accelerator a few times and take your foot off the accelerator, the car has a tendency to die as the rev's come down. The other disadvantage is it is harder to back up a incline (like trying to park) without killing the motor.

 

My experience with lighter flywheel you will lost some torque at low RPM. You need to keep high RPM in order to take the advantages of it like driving at the track, but if I am driving the car everyday I will not touch it.

 

With the light flywheel it will be more difficult to do slow smooth low rpm starts from a stop. Drag racing starts will also be more difficult. You have quicker throttle response and slightly more engine braking. My experience was an aluminum flywheel on a carbureted V8 (Tiger). The engine RPM increases much faster when you blip the throttle in neutral.

 

"With the light flywheel it will be more difficult to do slow smooth low rpm starts from a stop."

maybe the 996 TT is different in this respect than the 996 NA because my single mass, 12 lb flywheel equipped 996 NA is as easy and smooth to use off the line as was the OEM setup. i swear there is no way 99.5%+ of 996 NA drivers would be able to tell it wasn't the OEM setup. also, i heel/toe and have never experienced the "die as the revs's come down" situation. i've not tried the backing up an incline situation, but definetely think the "only" downside i've thus far found is the noise (which isn't horrid or anything). some of the other disadvantages being listed may or may not be 996 TT or clutch specific. there are several variations on the clutch/flywheel upgrade and some of the more serious ones can be a PIA. go to evoms.com and check out their various options and they'll tell you which race ones will be a PIA on the street.

 

ben,lj,

If you are not experiencing the "kill" after you bleep the throttle two or three times then you really don't have a "light" flywheel. Maybe a little heavier than light.

 

i consider 12 lbs (down from 28) to be light.

"EVO Bullet Flywheel and Sachs sport Clutch Kit Upgrade LEVEL 2 (STREET) : This level 2 upgrade contains all of the level 1 system and incorporates solid billet flywheel. The OEM 28 LB. dual mass flywheel is replaced with this solid 12 lb. CNC Machined aluminum and steel flywheel. The weight reduction allows the motor to rev quicker for better acceleration and incredible throttle response. This stronger clutch kit will support any modified Boxster. Offers 100% daily drive ability with little increase in clutch pedal effort. Smooth engagement for everyday use.

NOTE: There is no problems with engine stalling associated with the installation of this clutch system"

 

ben,lj,

If you are happy with it and it works for your power needs, then by all means use it. There is no perfect clutch and flywheel for everyone. I just noted you stayed with the dual mass versus the single mass. This is definitely a smoother and quieter clutch.

 

I am thinking of installing a new clutch with single mass flywheel soon....I am worried about 'streetability' since it is 95% of what I use the car for...

 

mine is a single mass? if so, there are zero drivability issues. but, chad is alluding to people maybe wanting something more serious than mine.