I am about to order a flywheel for my 468, i have a 71 firebird that weighs aproximately 3800 with me in it. i have a doug nash five speed with a 3.27 first gear and 1.1 fifth gear with 3.08's in the rear, so I have pretty steep gears, i am wondering if i want/need or could get away with a light aluminum flywheel, opposed to a heavy billet steel flywheel??
also what kind of clutches are you guys running in your 600hp+ big blocks? was going to go with a centerforce dual friction clutch, but after doing some research it doesn't seem that easy.

Cody, I think I'm going to run an aluminum flywheel when I finish putting my big block together. I like the idea of maybe taking a little torque out of the picture at lower RPM's to reduce wheelspin in a 3200lb 69 camaro. I thought that the reciprocating weight being a little lower would help accomplish this. I don't understand your statement about the Centerforce clutch setup, I have been real happy with mine so far.

I think a CFII would be OK. You can call them and go through the engines specs as they have different applications for a given size disc/plate. Don't just go by what the catalog lists for your car. They use a different material for heavier cars that take the same setup dimensionally. Thus, they can better match to your needs once discussed.

Please! Don't miss a gear. Light flywheels rev real quick.

I called Mcleod today, they said an aluminum flywheel will be fine with that much power. I am thinking of buying their aluminum wheel for $400 and a single disc 12" clutch for $300. any input?

Originally posted by Toby Keen:
Please! Don't miss a gear. Light flywheels rev real quick. I would second that!

IMHO - I would go with the heavier flywheel for a street car. Lighter flywheel can mess up the low speed normal cruising drivability of heavier cars with higher rear gears. You will need to be paying attention every time you go to take off from a light or stop with the lighter assembly as the engine R's will drop quickly. Does your cam and engine set-up allow for the torque to quietly drive the car with a light flywheel?
If you aren't planning on much street use you could go light.

I have an aluminum flywheel on my 68 behind a 383 with a Tremec (also 3.27 first) and 3.31 rear gear. I have no complaints. Still easily spin the tires, too easily, can't imagine how bad it would be with heavy flywheel. No problems taking off from a stop. The only thing I noticed is shifting is a little different since the rpm's drop quickly. I've learned to not let off the throttle as much between shifts.

I think an aluminum flywheel would work great behind a torqey big block.

The car is too heavy for an alum. wheel. I ran one my old Corvette with a crate L-88 and 4.56s. As soon as I had to do clutch work I put a 40# wheel in it much better on the street.