Rotating mass has energy in the form of rotational inertia, and because its rotating, saving lets say 10lbs at the flywheel may translate into a substantial weight savings...
This formula was taken from SCC Sept01 issue... rotational inertia can be translated into static weight by use of this formula:
Effective Weight = 1/2 Flywheel Weight ((Fly.Radius x Gear x Final/Tire Radius)) squared
Flywheel Weight = The weight of your flywheel
Flywheel Radius = Radius of your flywheel, from center to out-most teeth
Gear = Gear ratio of your choice of gear
Final = Final gear ratio
Tire Radius = Radius of your tire
I dont feel like doing all the math here but plug in the numbers yourself and you'll see the outcome...
Since the formula contains gear ratio its logical that in each gear the weight savings would be different... here are the rough approx #'s
1stG: 178lbs saved
2ndG: 58lbs
3rdG: 27lbs
4thG: 18lbs
5thG: 12lbs
As you can see, the effect of the light flywheel tapers off as the gears go up. However, even in 5th gear, you have "removed" more weight than the actual static difference between the stock and light flywheel. So in conclusion, replacing the stock flywheel with a lighter unit is a very efficient means of removing weight from the car, and thus increasing acceleration and power output.
I hope everyone else can benefit from that formula since I know people were looking for it and by the way thats using 205/50/16 tire radius of course those est. would change with various tire radius...
Linear Mode
