Bruce:
He told you the truth, albeit in a very loose, non-technical manner.
The flywheel stores energy. As such, it is neither a net consumer
or producer of torque or power.
At low RPMs, the stored energy helps start moving the car. This
"feels" like extra torque. When the car accelerates, it is necessary to
spin the flywheel faster, which is storing energy in the flywheel. This
is work done by the engine that would otherwise be available to accelerate
the car, and acts as if the horsepower has been lost (it hasn't, it has
simply
been stored).
Lightening the flywheel by 10 lbs is equivalent to lightening
the car by much more (it is a square law, so 10 lbs on the flywheel
might be equivalent to 100lbs mass on the car). So a lighter flywheel allows
the car to accelerate more quickly because the engine does not need to
store as much work in the flywheel. This works against you when pulling away
from
a stoplight, however.
Whether this is the right tradeoff for you depends on what your
needs are. Triumph was conservative in this regard and made the flywheel
extra beefy so that little finesse is required when pulling away from
a stop.
Cheers,
Vance
------------------------------
1974 Mimosa Yellow Triumph TR6
Cogito Ergo Zoom
(I think, therefore I go fast)
-----Original Message-----
From: Simms, Bruce CIC [mailto:BSimms@cicorp.sk.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 7:41 AM
To: '6pack@autox.team.net'
Subject: Lightening the Flywheel
An LBC shop owner advised me not to lighten the flywheel on a street driven
TR6. He said you might gain high end horsepower, but would lose torque.
Comments?
Regards, Bruce Simms CF1941UO
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