question is "has anyone lightened the flywheels on their v6, 3.0 ?"

my throwout bearing is sounding bad.
i will do that next, (when i get another 1k to spend).
but when i do that, would it be worth a few more hundred to get the flywheel lightened and balanced ?



benefits would be a quicker response on revs/ less rotational weight.

 

I have not done this but ..if you have a 4wd I would think it wouldnt be a good idea. Now for a 2wd street truck(no hauling) I would definitely try it (if I had the money).

 

I'd have to agree with Lukeland on the not wanting a lightened flywheel on a 4X4, especially with a 3VZE. From my understanding of the motivation of doing so, yes, it does result in quicker response and more available power, but it would kill what little torque advantage we have with these engines/transmissions. I remember lots of buzz about lightening when smaller imports and turbos was concerned, or even with engines that had horsepower to spare (which the 3.0 really doesn't). Save your money while you're spending hard-earned cash on work and get the injectors cleaned and balanced and the throttle body bored a bit more. you'd probably gain more from it.

Andy

 

If anything you might want a heavier flywheel. more rotational momentum or something

How is a throwout bearing 1K? mine was like $35 at napa, plus about $35 for a resurfaced flywheel.

If a shop was to do it I could see spending 1K by the time all the work got done. I just got done doing that this weekend, I am starting to think it may have been worth the money to have someone else do the work

 

my last throwout bearing was 55$ at napa... it was 35$ to have the flywheel resurfaced, i wouldnt recomend having it thuroughly lightened though-as if that hasnt been stated enough in this thread-

 

The flywheel is there to allow the engine to idle at low speeds. It also smooths the torque flow at low rpms so you don't feel the pulses of the pistons so much. Yeah, lightening it will let the engine rev more quickly, but it will also be more prone to stalling. The torque at cruise as well as top gear performance will be unaffected (and unimproved).

The gains in acceleration may or may not be great but there is the risk of poor drive quality. You will likely have to rev the engine higher (stick) or turn up the idle (auto) which will wear clutches, waste fuel, etc...

I wouldn't sweat this mod unless you have the time and money to set aside and are just curious.

Frank

 

It definitely revs quicker and is more responsive driving around.

I have noticed no ill effects at all.

But I'm driving a 22RE 2WD.

i think if you have a street hotrod it's a good idea, but if it is for 4-wheeling I'd leave it alone.

 

THANKS everyone

i will leave the flywheel alone.

and


was it that difficult?
did you have to raise your truck alot, or dig a hole in the driveway
i could really use the 1k on other stuff, but i want to drive this truck alot, and i think having a pro do it is the best.

(*new thread for the clutch=> naw)

 

damn someone is charging you $1000 for a clutch/throwout bearing?

I noticed you live in Seattle. I can refer you to a shop that WONT rape you (btw who quoted you that? I know and supply parts to just about every shop in the seattle area) That or I could do it here for you, and I wouldn't be charging no $1000 heh

 

On a sportscar, the engine throttle response is wonderful when you lighten the flywheel. You're never idling the engine, always revving it over 5,000 rpms, who cares about idle quality? So it takes a bit of practice to park the car, but idling is < 1% of driving.

On a 4x4 or crawler, do you REALLY want the thing to be prone to stalling when at idle speeds?

 

if you like the idea of big tires and off roading dont do it. it will give more throttle response and such, but you lose the rotational mass that helps in takeoff. for on the street it is no big problem but when loaded down, of off roading you will suffer. from how i understand it at least. someone explained to to me as you gain useable torque from heavier flywheels. if i were you i would just leave it alone. if i am wrong on this someone please correct me, but its what i gathered from when i was thinking of getting a heavier flywheel.

 

No, removing a transmission is not difficult.

If you have not done it before, you are in for a fantastic learning experience!

 

++
You'll feel like you've lost a ton of torque when taking off from a stop.
It'll be harder to tow.. harder to drive.. a general pain.