304 V8 Flywheel - still used with auto conversion

[TWISTY]

So, I have my 304 V8, Marks conversion kit to ZF Auto/LT230.

This kit requires the V8s flywheel to be kept, which a adaptor is then bolted to suit the rover torque convertor.

I dont have a flywheel, so need to buy one either way. Seems silly to me to be spinning that extra weight for it just to be used as a adapter to the rover gear.

So thought of getting a lightened flywheel, which can be had for around $175.
http://www.atracingworld.com/NEW-HOLDEN ... WHEEL.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or, am I better off maybe going custom and light as possible, and get some kind of adaptor to adaptor sorted?

Or, is the bit of extra weight of a flywheel going to make no difference in the real world and I should just go get a 2nd hand shagged flywheel?

[bru21]

I agree the extra spinning mass isn't cool, wastes horsepower and would be more likely to shock load everything.

Flex plate no good??

cheers bru

[MICK77]

Get a used flywheel and lighten the shit out of it.

Because the face of the flywheel isn't used as a friction surface you could bore large diameter holes evenly around it.
Take care not to weaken it to much as an exploding flywheel is not Fawking funny. You will have to have it balanced after this process.

Cheers,

Micko

[TWISTY]

I did wonder if a flex plate could be used.

The ring gear on the holden flywheel is used with the holden starter, which is another reason the flywheel is used.

Maybe a holden flex plate and packer of some sort to get it to the thickness of a flywheel could work.

Exploding flywheel would be a reason for me not to really want to modify a factory flywheel. Maybe a billet steel one would be ok to do what you mentioned to but Micko?

[MICK77]

Yeah. After I posted that I thought about it a bit more.

A billet flywheel is really the only option for that kind of use.

Cheers,

Micko

[TWISTY]

Spoke to Marks Adapters today. A flex plate can be used instead of a flywheel, but the outer edge of the flex plate needs to be supporting somehow. I guess it moves around without a torque convertor bolted to it.

Think I will see how cheap I can get a 2nd hand stock flywheel first. Then if no luck got the lightened billet one.

[skootin]

Maybe try and find a H/duty flex plate they are made from thicker steel.
Or get a ring made similar to a beadlock outer and bolt it thru the original torque converter holes to stiffen a std flexplate.
Its only purpose would be for the starter motor right.

[TWISTY]

Yeah, flywheel is mainly there so the holden starter can be used. Adapter to the Rover convertor also relies on the thickness of the flywheel.

Am just wondering if its worth all the effort of making a flex plate work, and if I would actually notice any difference at all from the small weight saving.