New Cranks with Flywheels

[Walshy]

We have all read the Post on the new Cranks that we would like to see introduced, but as I have said in that Post, we could do with getting the flywheel lightened also. This is one of the major factors in the cracking of the crank. It's like hanging a Lump hammer on the end of a wooden ruler.

If we could also get the flywheel reduced in weight, this would alleviate the stress to the crank, new or old. If you feel you aren't quite ready to stump up the £400 for a new crank because there is nothing wrong with yours, then at least by having the flywheel weight reduced, it will increase the life of your current crank.

Other benefits of a lightened flywheels is the ellimination of the already lightened flywheels. It would also reduce overall weight of the car. If we were allowed, say 3 Kilo's out of the flywheel, this would bring the minimum weight of the car down to 417Kilos rather than throwing ballast in.

I'll set up a poll, just to let the powers that be know that this is also an option we would like to see.

It's better to get this done along with the crank as a wholesale change as we will all be taking engines out soon and could do with getting this issue sorted.

Cheers for voting.

[Triple J Motorsport]

This is more likely to save engines than the "steel" cranks in my opion.

[Ian Sowman]

Surely you'd have to make a lighter flywheel mandatory if you were also going to reduce the overall minimum weight limit?

[Triple J Motorsport]

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

Surely you'd have to make a lighter flywheel mandatory if you were also going to reduce the overall minimum weight limit?

Don't why you should force everyone to do it

[Ian Sowman]

My point exactly. It would be unfair to put those who chose not to tinker with their engines at an instant 3kg disadvantage.

[StephenRae]

I voted for lighter flywheels with either crank. It's hard to get many cars down to 420kgs as it is...if some have gone to a lot of trouble and expense to get down to the limit then so be it...I would not reduce the weight limit.

[StephenRae]

I wonder who voted against change and how many standard cranks he has in stock?

[jminsh]

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

My point exactly. It would be unfair to put those who chose not to tinker with their engines at an instant 3kg disadvantage.

Have you never heard of Ballest

[GolddustMini]

3kg difference in flywheel/crank weight would have a different effect entirely than simply adding 3kg of ballast on the car.....

[Walshy]

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

Surely you'd have to make a lighter flywheel mandatory if you were also going to reduce the overall minimum weight limit?

That would be the idea. I know what your saying about those that don't want to tinker being at a disadvantage, but most people will have engines out at the end of the season and those that don't, well, it's not a big job to get just the flywheel off.

I'd take it off if I thought it was going to help de-stress my engine!!!!!

[Triple J Motorsport]

Originally Posted by Walshy

That would be the idea. I know what your saying about those that don't want to tinker being at a disadvantage, but most people will have engines out at the end of the season and those that don't, well, it's not a big job to get just the flywheel off.

I'd take it off if I thought it was going to help de-stress my engine!!!!!

Why force everyone to do it? If you haven't time money or skill tools to do the job you will be at a disadvantaged but not illegal.

[blue nose]

It should be a choice for what ever you prefare to use.

[Pink Panther]

Leave minimum weight as it is, this would prove to be one to many changes. Fully agree with the reduced flywheel weight though. Simple cheap and would as you say increase the life of any crank. Makes real sense to me.

[Triple J Motorsport]

Originally Posted by Pink Panther

Leave minimum weight as it is, this would prove to be one to many changes. Fully agree with the reduced flywheel weight though. Simple cheap and would as you say increase the life of any crank. Makes real sense to me.

Totally agree and a lighter fly wheel will make much more difference to saving engines. If we make one change this should be it not cased steel cranks on there own.

[Triple J Motorsport]

Originally Posted by RayFF

Totally agree and a lighter fly wheel will make much more difference to saving engines. If we make one change this should be it not cased steel cranks on there own.

Or even cast

[GlenF]

In favour of anything which will reduce costs. If a reduced fly wheel will save me damaging my engine then at the earliest opportunity I would have the work done.
If it was allowed, then a 12 month start date could be given to allow all engines to be conveted, this would then give enough time for all competitors to have their engines rebuilt to the new specification and not just have a one off engine out just for a fly wheel lighten. (Steel cranks should be optional)

[Walshy]

Is it worth raising this again..............................with our latest announcement...............

[Simon Hadfield]

Someone much wiser than I did ask me last night "that now the better crank is in what do you think will be asked for next and how long will it take?" - so the alloy head cant be far away then?..... and the racing clutch?....

[Mr.Jingles]

If you're going to do one, might as well do the other?

[haggispeed]

Classic Clubmans B Sport (running FF spec engines) have done exactly that. From this season it is allowed to reduce the standard flywheel weight to 9Kgs, inclusive of entire clutch assembly, clutch and flywheel mounting bolts. This has been done simply to improve the reliability of the standard cranks without having to consider moving to steel cranks.