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Mon Jan 06, 2014 2:46 pm

Hi all I need a lightened 8 dowelled flywheel but should I get a cast or forged one and why?
I'm not going to be racing my bug on a track at all and it will not be reved above 6000 RPM.

Mon Jan 06, 2014 3:08 pm

This one of the best deals around. Good quality.
http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Economy-Lightened-Flywheel-13lb-8-Doweled-p/light-flywheel-ec.htm

Mon Jan 06, 2014 3:12 pm

Is there such a thing as a forged VW Flywheel?

Mon Jan 06, 2014 3:15 pm

Danwvw wrote: Is there such a thing as a forged VW Flywheel?
Stock flywheels are forged.

Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:24 pm

Saw this one on e-bay for $120, says it's supposed to be a lightened VW Flywheel. When I built my 1800cc Type 1 engine for my bus, I had an old stock VW flywheel surfaced and drilled for 8 dowels and balanced to the crank with the clutch but not lightened.

"VW Forged Lightened Chromoly Flywheel 8-Dowel Type-1"

Mon Jan 06, 2014 5:49 pm

A lightened flywheel revs quicker, in a bus you are better off with the heavy flywheel. It keeps the inertia better.

Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:07 pm

The $79 cast flywheel are fine for a street engine if you're never going to drag race or see over 6000 RPM.

If your racing (street or track) or turning more RPM's then you should get a $120 forged chromoly flywheel or use a genuine VW flywheel.

Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:34 pm

vwracerdave wrote: The $79 cast flywheel are fine for a street engine if you're never going to drag race or see over 6000 RPM.

If your racing (street or track) or turning more RPM's then you should get a $120 forged chromoly flywheel or use a genuine VW flywheel.

I'm a strong believer in this, but while on the subject, what about a heavier pulley? I remember reading a post in a debate with Gene Berg about a heavy pulley and how they found the best combination for increased bearing life was a heavy pulley and lightened fly-wheel. It's all about inertia and the engine's resonance.

These suckers are 5.5 pounds

Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:29 am

lustig69 wrote: vwracerdave wrote: The $79 cast flywheel are fine for a street engine if you're never going to drag race or see over 6000 RPM.

If your racing (street or track) or turning more RPM's then you should get a $120 forged chromoly flywheel or use a genuine VW flywheel.

I'm a strong believer in this, but while on the subject, what about a heavier pulley?

That does make sense.

But, I assume the idea is the heavy flywheel wants to pull UP on the end with the pulley right?

So install a heavy pulley on that end to kinda "even the balance out"

But, wouldn't the Generator/alt belt tension pull up on that end of the crank so there is no real gain?

Just wondering.

Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:38 am

IF you are racing you CANNOT use a cast flywheel, they are banned on NHRA tracks. There was a picture last year going around of a bug with the rear end blown off of it and the engine hanging on the accelerator cable after a cast flywheel exploded at the line injuring some people.

brad

Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:42 pm

The cast iron flywheels are from mexican bugs. They are not very good, and not cheaper either. Get a modified OE flywheel from DPR, made of German STEEL

Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:44 pm

slalombuggy wrote: There was a picture last year going around of a bug with the rear end blown off of it and the engine hanging on the accelerator cable after a cast flywheel exploded at the line injuring some people.

brad

ah jeez, that should never have happened but I guess it would be an easy mistake to make with these darn iron "lightened" flywheels being sold.

Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:27 am

In NHRA drag racing the porsche and volkswagen flywheels were the only "STOCK" flywheels that were allowed to run on a turbo charged VW or Porsche engine. All other vehicles (chebys,fords etc) had to use an after market flywheel.
That should tell you something.