Miata flywheels?

I've got the mighty NA apart to do urethane bushings +FM braces and suspension+hub bearings+ all sorts of stuff and figured that with no service history and the seller having included a new, unused Exedy clutch kit (turned out it was the clutch slave cylinder said he) what better time than when the diff, PPF and exhaust happen to be off?

The front trans and rear main seal were both leaking a little so I'm happy the trans is off. I picked up new input shaft and drive shaft seals, a front cover gasket and clutch fork boot.

Listed on my local Craigslist is a bunch of Miata parts including a "Perfection" brand flywheel new in box asking $50. This flywheel is $54 at Rock Auto so he'll probably deal a little.

Any good or pure junk? I've never bought a Chinese aftermarket engine part before and it feels funny, particularly since I'm beyond doubling the purchase price of the car with all nice and OEM parts, but it sure would be convenient to get the car back together over the long weekend....

Since you're in there anyway and spending money on other good parts why not step up to a nice lightened unit? Also if its a 1.6 car and you plan on adding power later then now is the time to upgrade to the bigger 1.8 clutch and flywheel. Even in stock form you'll be ahead of the game. Selling your new 1.6 stuff should be no problem.

Since the transmission is out why not just add a LS6 and a T56?

Revtastickier

(First off, and in direct response to petegosset) I've only been hanging out here a year or two and haven't learned the secret handshakes beyond referring to my track car as a "98 '36-M3" to avoid confusing it with excrement. If seeking the opinion of the huddled masses regarding a Miata parts question is off-color, I must be missing something. Mea culpa.

I was hesitant to go the route of a light flywheel seeing as both the M3 and the Sprite have light flywheels (and 2 seats ea, and roll bars) and the ideal of the Miata is that it's not supposed to be completely silly. At least not yet - the 1.6 is a little tired and I suspect a supercharged 1.8 is the answer. That's another thing. I'm doing a T-belt out of desire to not have it blow up but no power adders to speak of. I only bought an exhaust and header due to the piss-poor work on the welded-in aftermarket cat that the butterfly brace isn't ~close~ to clearing.

So - absent buying a lightened flywheel - or lightening a flywheel:

"Has anyone used an aftermarket flywheel of the above mentioned brand of something similar?"

If you're not interested in a lightweight flywheel then just have your OEM one resurfaced by a local machine shop while its off. Cost me $35 a few years ago when I did the clutch.

Granted you won't be saving much compared to the "Perfection" but at least you'll know there isn't a 20lb piece of Chinese steel spinning at high RPM inches from your feet.

Jason

motomoron wrote: (First off, and in direct response to petegosset) I've only been hanging out here a year or two and haven't learned the secret handshakes beyond referring to my track car as a "98 '36-M3" to avoid confusing it with excrement. If seeking the opinion of the huddled masses regarding a Miata parts question is off-color, I must be missing something. Mea culpa.

There was a scab that posted after your post selling you diesel parts, Pete was calling THEM out not YOU.

It's okay people, nothing to see here.

motomoron wrote: (First off, and in direct response to petegosset) I've only been hanging out here a year or two and haven't learned the secret handshakes...

No, not directed at you at all - there was another post after yours for someone wanting to sell us diesel injectors from China or some crap. Tom or Per must have removed their post & left mine.

FYI, I've run flywheels in the 9.5 lb range for years on my Miatas. They really like it without getting cranky in traffic. That's quite a bit lighter than the stock unit.

If you're worried about this particular brand, walk away and get something else.

petegossett wrote:

motomoron wrote: (First off, and in direct response to petegosset) I've only been hanging out here a year or two and haven't learned the secret handshakes...

No, not directed at you at all - there was another post after yours for someone wanting to sell us diesel injectors from China or some crap. Tom or Per must have removed their post & left mine.

Sorry for the confusion; the canoe comment and the comment that commented about the canoe comment were removed. Please carry on commenting and conversing.

Tom Heath wrote:

petegossett wrote:

motomoron wrote: (First off, and in direct response to petegosset) I've only been hanging out here a year or two and haven't learned the secret handshakes...

No, not directed at you at all - there was another post after yours for someone wanting to sell us diesel injectors from China or some crap. Tom or Per must have removed their post & left mine.

Sorry for the confusion; the canoe comment and the comment that commented about the canoe comment were removed. Please carry on commenting and conversing.

...But not canoeing.

I've just removed the flywheel and clutch. I've also degreased the filthy transmission....

The verdict is that the flywheel in the car looks great. Considering that things seemed to have only been serviced upon failure - it looks as though it was done with the clutch which was about 60% used up. Neither the flywheel nor the pressure plate exhibited signs of abuse and the ring gear looks nearly perfect.

It goes back in right after the new main seal and immediately prior to the nice Exedy clutch the prior owner never installed.

(then the rest of the HUGE stack of shiny new parts)