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Sat Jul 09, 2022 8:33 am

There’s a lot of threads on lightened flywheels and a few on lightening reciprocating parts but those seem mostly to be about balance things out. So i thought a thread on what you’ve done or seen done to lighten parts n pieces might be interesting, whether it worked or didn’t or even good or bad ideas.
I’ll start with a couple pics i found, i know i have pics of other stuff but not on this device..

3297 grams is about 7.25lbs

Sat Jul 09, 2022 8:41 am

cool stuff, but when is too light TOO light??

Sat Jul 09, 2022 9:03 am

vwinnovator wrote: cool stuff, but when is too light TOO light??

When it breaks before the race ends. :wink:

Sat Jul 09, 2022 9:17 am

richardcranium is back.

Is has been determined by many VW engine builders the last 40 years that a 12 1/2 Lb. flywheel works the best for a street driven VW engine. Anything less doesn't allow the engine to be driven smoothly on the streets. It also has an effect on shifting as the synchro's have a difficult time keeping up, and will cause them to wear out sooner. If you remove too much PP material, it will overheat and warp with aggressive clutch use.

Those lightened flywheels were an old school Formula Vee trick back when they raced stock 1200cc.

Sat Jul 09, 2022 9:22 am

vwracerdave wrote: richardcranium is back.

LMAO !!!

Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:12 am

QRP wrote: vwracerdave wrote: richardcranium is back.

LMAO !!!

What the fuck makes you think he left?
Anymore , vwracerdave, i look forward to your negative - naysayer comments as i am in awe of your ability to rain on anyone’s parade on any subject.

Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:41 am

Richard, don’t be surprised that a lot of people have a negative reaction to your posts.

Also, why did you change your forum name?

Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:50 am

BFB wrote: QRP wrote: vwracerdave wrote: richardcranium is back.

LMAO !!!

What the fuck makes you think he left?
Anymore , vwracerdave, i look forward to your negative - naysayer comments as i am in awe of your ability to rain on anyone’s parade on any subject.

I gave you a serious response to your inquiry about a lightened flywheel.

Sat Jul 09, 2022 2:47 pm

Vanapplebomb wrote: Also, why did you change your forum name?

Just a change in life. And 19 years ago i started my bodyshop as Ben’s Fabrication & Bodywork’s ( BFB ) i changed the name pretty soon on but BFB was brought up as a joke as Ben’s F#*@cking Buggy’s, so i decided recently to recreate BFB as such and have some fun with it.

Sat Jul 09, 2022 4:17 pm

Moderators Note: "DON'T post personal attacks"

Remember it's easier for me to simply delete the entire topic than clean it up.

Sat Jul 09, 2022 6:11 pm

Here’s something cool. and some of you will probably remember seeing this in a thread a “few” years ago…

Sat Jul 09, 2022 6:16 pm

Stupid questions:
Is any of this practical? Meaning does it last more than 1 rpm?

What are the application for this extreme machine work?

Porsche 917 key

Sat Jul 09, 2022 7:26 pm

Bad chemistries brah :shock: simple math.

Example 1: Dude 1 insults dude 2 for no real reason expecting himself to be crowd surfed and worshiped = bad outcome

Example 2: Dude 1 gives dude 2 helpful criticism from the heart based off words of knowelege hoping to better the life of a brother = good outcome.

Choose your master.

Sat Jul 09, 2022 8:15 pm

Lately, my focus has been on valve train. My next build I am looking at hollow stem 8mm valves, or solid 7mm valves. Also light pushrods (aluminum) and valve springs. Currently looking at a set of Comp Cams beehive springs. I would love to find a light conical spring, but those are harder to come by. Several out there, but haven’t quite found one that fits the bill. A bit harder to fit without cutting the guide boss…which I refer not to remove material from unless I absolutely have to. I am pretty confident I can run an 86B cam up to 7k rpm with a beehive spring that actually has the same or less seat load than the stock springs. With conical springs, I could probably go as low as 90Lbs on the seat and easy rev to 7k rpm with no issues.

Sat Jul 09, 2022 8:33 pm

Vanapplebomb wrote: Lately, my focus has been on valve train. My next build I am looking at hollow stem 8mm valves, or solid 7mm valves. Also light pushrods (aluminum) and valve springs. Currently looking at a set of Comp Cams beehive springs. I would love to find a light conical spring, but those are harder to come by. Several out there, but haven’t quite found one that fits the bill. A bit harder to fit without cutting the guide boss…which I refer not to remove material from unless I absolutely have to. I am pretty confident I can run an 86B cam up to 7k rpm with a beehive spring that actually has the same or less seat load than the stock springs. With conical springs, I could probably go as low as 90Lbs on the seat and easy rev to 7k rpm with no issues.

I once said what you said but then I got mobbed up on and recieved some pretty rude and harsh PM's :lol:

I'm sure you know this. I think. But in case you don't, Dan Ruddock sells beehive kits for t1 and t4. Idk where/hoe he makes them, but folks seem to love them.

Sat Jul 09, 2022 9:14 pm

Vanapplebomb wrote: Lately, my focus has been on valve train. My next build I am looking at hollow stem 8mm valves, or solid 7mm valves. Also light pushrods (aluminum) and valve springs. Currently looking at a set of Comp Cams beehive springs. I would love to find a light conical spring, but those are harder to come by. Several out there, but haven’t quite found one that fits the bill. A bit harder to fit without cutting the guide boss…which I refer not to remove material from unless I absolutely have to. I am pretty confident I can run an 86B cam up to 7k rpm with a beehive spring that actually has the same or less seat load than the stock springs. With conical springs, I could probably go as low as 90Lbs on the seat and easy rev to 7k rpm with no issues.

Here’s a recent thread discussing the use of single valve spring with a lightweight valve train.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=766305

Sat Jul 09, 2022 10:02 pm

Glenn wrote: Stupid questions:
Is any of this practical? Meaning does it last more than 1 rpm?

What are the application for this extreme machine work?

Those swiss cheese rods and flywheel are probably from a 40 horse 1200cc Formula Vee engine that might have 57 HP.

Probably wouldn't make it around the block on a typical 2276cc 170 HP street engine.

Sun Jul 10, 2022 1:05 am

One modification that's overlooked most of the time is lightening the wrist pins. It's a cheap and easy modification that takes weight off of a place that really matters, yet doesn't take away from the durability. I've always run them in all drag, and hot street cars, and run them in my current turbo street Ghia.

There are venders, or any machine shop can do it.

Sun Jul 10, 2022 5:00 am

Probably the most effective "lightening" I have seen......ditch the unused seats, the spare tire....and the make the driver dump 30 pounds. The effects are amazing!
:lol:

Ray

Sun Jul 10, 2022 5:26 am

Chickensoup wrote:
I once said what you said but then I got mobbed up on and recieved some pretty rude and harsh PM's :lol:

I'm sure you know this. I think. But in case you don't, Dan Ruddock sells beehive kits for t1 and t4. Idk where/hoe he makes them, but folks seem to love them.

FYI, the only part I make or should I say have made for me is the retainers. They are made locally for me here in Florida by three different places. One shop machine's them out of 4140 chromoly, the other heat treats them and then the last coats the with black oxide. I mod the keepers myself. The other parts?? I searched high and low for the most suitable parts for our app. The retainer is the key part to make use in a Volkswagen so much more practical and easier to install and use standard length valves.

One more key point on weight reduction, with a progressively wound spring, the effective weight of the spring at max/close to max lift is reduced in about half because the majority of the coils are stacked on top of each other and are not moving at all until the lift is reduced. Some beehives on the market are not wound this way so be careful if you want to hobble together your own setup. This progressive wind is also fantastic in reducing harmonics. Stock VW springs are also progressively wound but are completely inadequate in a performance app.

Dan