Picking the right flywheel

Hey guys, It's time to do the clutch on the mk1 mr2 (NA 4AGE) and I'm considering putting a lightweight flywheel in there since it'll cost me a bit anyway to resurface it. I'm looking at the usual suspects - Exedy, Fidanza, Spec, etc, but wanted to see if you guys had a preference, horror stories, place to get decent deals, whatever. There's also a cheap(er) brand called Ralco that I've never heard of that's tempting, but I'm a little wary on buying something "cheap" that can explode and take me with it.

Here's some choices I found on Horsepowerfreaks to give you an idea, but feel free to recommend another brand/vendor.

Fidanza, 6061 T6 aluminum, 1050 steel friction surface - $330

Exedy, "billet chrome moly steel" - $384

Ralco, 4140 one-piece billet chromoly steel - $215

Spec, ??? - $398

As always - thanks for the input

I've always used Fidanza, will probably continue to do so. The nice thing is that if it DOES wear out, you can just replace the friction surface, usually for cheap.

I just bought a brand new friction surface for mine for $50.

Is it possible to shave down the stock flywheel?

I'm a fan of Fidanza as well.

Only used fidanza and liked it, more important than material or name brand is cost and weight... do they all weigh the same?

I've had both Fidanza, and I've had stock wheels lightened for my VW's. I did like the replaceable ring option on the Fidanza I had in my Audi, though I never had to use it.

Thanks for the responses.

Didn't realize the Fidanza's surface could be replaced. I'll keep that in mind.

bigbens6 wrote: Only used fidanza and liked it, more important than material or name brand is cost and weight... do they all weigh the same?

I dunno - I'm not sure I'd want to take the risk on some no-name brand cheap Taiwanese-made ebay knock-off either, even if was stupid-light and $100.

That said, as far as weights - they all seem to be around 9-11lbs. Fidanza is 9lbs Exedy is 10.8lbs

I've got a Fidanza on my 4AFE frankenmotor (4AGZE bottom end)

I've got a blacktop OEM flywheel 6.0 kilo on my little hotrod. The blacktop flywheel is a decent compromise between the stock ones: early 4AGE 16V flywheel 7.2 kilo, the later 4AGE 16V flywheel 7.0 kilo, and the significantly lighter ones (Toda has 2, both under 5 kilo)

Whatever you do... get the flywheel AND pressure plate balanced!!!

Didn't know that about the BT flywheels - thanks for the heads-up.

You need to balance new flywheels & pressure plates?

I never have, but that doesn't mean it's not a good idea.

I put a Fidanza on the 20v in my MR2. It was good. No driveability problems at all. Did rev faster up and down, until the F150 took the car out. Anyway, I was part of the initial Fidanza Group Purchase that Fidanza design the flywheel for.

The Blacktop flywheel was rumored to be the same as one of the JDM aftermarket ones. Exedy or HK$, I forget.

A few examples of balancing needs...

1st, likely the BEST offering, a Toda flywheel... even it needs to be balanced....

Now as far as balancing the pressure plate... look how much material was removed from this....

It doesn't cost that much... but a mis balance anywhere can turn a fun car into a unfun car rather quickly

I have had Spec and Fidanza flywheels. No complaints from either. Spec was mixed with a Spec twin disc and the Fidanaza had an ACT2600.

Personally, I think that the best 4AG clutch evar, is the one that came on a silvertop. I've beat the snot of this OEM setup in the Rolla for the past 75K miles and, knock on wood, it's still going strong at about 150K miles. The ACT clutch I had in the MR2 did not do near as well. And, per my EPC, the 20v clutch is the same clutch set that's put in 1zz Rollas, so when I need another one, I'm going down to the dealership and getting a stock OEM clutch for a 1zz Rolla.

I thought the silvertop clutch was the same as the small ports?

I'm curious as to whether buying one of the "F1" flywheels and having it balanced with its clutch would work.

JDM AE101 clutch cover 31210-12221 (subs for 12220) Same As 9708- ZZE110 Rolla
JDM AE101 clutch disk 31250-12380 (subs for 12310) Same As 9104-9309 AT180 Celica

The cover is the same as the ZZ. That's what I want, as that cover is much stiffer than the 4AG sold covers. A lot more clamping force. I can tell in my clutch leg.

Dr. Hess wrote: JDM AE101 clutch cover 31210-12221 (subs for 12220) Same As 9708- ZZE110 Rolla JDM AE101 clutch disk 31250-12380 (subs for 12310) Same As 9104-9309 AT180 Celica The cover is the same as the ZZ. That's what I want, as that cover is much stiffer than the 4AG sold covers. A lot more clamping force. I can tell in my clutch leg.

from "a certain reference source"

AE101 20V 31210 COVER ASSY, CLUTCH 31210-12151 (05/1993 - 02/1995) - $134.51 31210-12220 (06/1991 - 04/1993) - $171.46

31250 DISC ASSY, CLUTCH 31250-12320 - $139.14

AE92 16V smallport/high comp 31210 COVER ASSY, CLUTCH 31210-12120 (08/1987 - 07/1989) - $124.47 31210-12150 (08/1989 - 10/1989) - $166.94 31210-12151 (11/1989 - 05/1991) - $134.51

31250 DISC ASSY, CLUTCH 31250-17010 (08/1987 - 07/1989) - $127.16 31250-17020 (08/1989 - 03/1991) - $134.02

ZZE110 31210 COVER ASSY, CLUTCH 31210-12221 - $137.08

31250 DISC ASSY, CLUTCH 31250-12360 - $139.05

The significant difference between earlier and later 4AGE discs, and pressure plates is the earlier stuff is 200mm friction surface, while the later stuff is 212mm. Either can be used, as long as they are all matched... (all = flywheel, disc, plate) The AE86 only came with 200mm flywheels... those that were 7.2 kilos. The Silvertop and high comp flywheels are the same, 212mm, and 7 kilos. Finally is the blacktop flywheel, it is 6 kilos

Here is a photo of the blacktop flywheel and the high comp/silvertop flywheel

You can use any of the 4AGE flywheels on any other 4AGE... all use the same ring gear(gear starter engages)

Hmmm, that AE101 clutch combo is about $100 cheaper than the Exedy stage 1. Very tempting.

edit - didn't see oldskewl's post before, so I wasn't commenting on those numbers. From Lithia Toyota's online catalog it is $205 for the disk, pressure plate, pilot bearing, & release bearing together.

oldeskewltoy wrote: You can use any of the 4AGE flywheels on any other 4AGE... all use the same ring gear(gear starter engages)

Ohhh-Ohhh-Ohhhh... What about the very early 6 bolt 4AGE flywheels? Can't interchange them. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

(Ain't the EPC great? Every car maker should open source their parts catalog, or at least look the other way.)

In reply to Dr. Hess: I've seen more AW10 (3ALU powered MR2), then 6 bolt 4AGE cranks

Not sure if this helps, but another bit of feedback: I replaced one of my stock bluetop 200mm flywheels with a blacktop 212mm flywheel and an OEM redtop 212mm clutch disk and pressure plate, and it is great for street use. Just adds a bit of pep with reasonably light action but still grabs well with a light-tune N/A 4A-G. The in-progress trackday beast of a built 4A-G has a Toda CroMo flywheel with Toyota disk and pressure plate...yet to be driven.

I ended up ordering the AE101 clutch and the Fidanza flywheel. The combo ended up being $560ish shipped, so not bad all things considered.

That would be my first choice for a setup, Matt. When I eventually get the locost running, then proceed to smoke the ACT clutch, I'll swap it out with a AE101 clutch set.

Thanks again for the recommendation. I don't think many people in the aw11 community know about that clutch. Since they used it on Corollas, Celicas, and the MR Spyder it's readily available and relatively inexpensive.

In general, I love me some better-than-what-came-stock oem replacements. As you implied, they tend to last longer and be less fiddle-prone. The fact I saved $80 over the alternative was nice.

That Ralco flywheel was tempting, but from the application dates it was most likely a 200mm unit and wouldn't fit the 212mm AE101 disk. What I would have saved over the Fidanza would have been spent on a matching ACT clutch (or whatever other brands sell the early 200mm version).

Finally got the car back a few days ago (damn shipping wait) and I just wanted to report that the clutch was exactly what I was looking for. The good doctor is correct, there is definitely a firmer pressure plate than what was in there before. Nice balance of feel and pedal effort - VERY similar to my the Exedy stage 1 I had in my Civic.

Glad I did the flywheel too of course. Maybe it's my just-spent-money-butt-dyno, but I can tell a positive difference. It's the first time I've used one, but the car just feels more "optimistic" if I may use Per's drivetrain adjective.