LT-4 flywheel

[LannyL81]

Potential new LT-4 owner here with about 1000 questions, first one has to do with the flywheel. Is it normally replaced when the clutch is and is this dual-mass flywheel only available from GM? I have read that the cost is over $1000 for the flywheel, is this true?

Thanks,
LannyL81

 

[Vettelt193]

you can get other flywheels, other than the Dual mass. I am running a Fidanza. it is light weight (night and day compared to stock).


If I were going for long term originality, on the next clutch swap, change it to a fidanza and keep the stock one for future use... performance, go with fidanza. drivability/quietness, keep it stock.

I think mid america has the stock flywheels now too, at much less than 1000.

You won't need to change out the fly unless it is messed up... if you notice the clutch going, and just change it, the stock fly will be fine 99% of the time. it is when you blow the clutch out that you run into problems (like I did). either way, the fidanza is better, and only about $250.

 

[Vette96CE]

LT4 flywheel

Hi,

I just replaced my flywheel about 6 months ago. The OEM flywheel can cost between 1100-900 dollars. I agree with what Vettelt93 is saying, just understand if you switch to another flywheel you will have a chattering noise because of the single flywheel design. It's all a matter of performance and opinion. You will gain HP with the single mass flywheel but the noise may bother you. Good luck with your choice...

Jim "Vette96ce"

 

[bradvette]

Call Tom Haus at www.carolinaclutch.com. You can get an OE (Luk) dual mass flywheel for about $625-$650. If opting for the single mass Fidanza, they will be about $400-$450.

 

[LlanoBill]

Actually, the Chevrolet price is $1,217 for the dual-mass. I had no choice as I was 1,200 miles from home, having just bought a green LT4 in “excellent condition”. :cry BTW, the clutch was completely gone. Chevrolet dealerships are great places to hang around though, especially for three long days! :ugh Oh well, live & learn.

 

[wx briefer]

As I understand it: One should replace the stock flywheel as opposed to resurfacing. The cutting fluid in the machine at the shop destroys the elastomeric membrane. The stock flywheel on mine was simply roughed up with a scotchbrite pad while I replaced the clutch. Actually the clutch was still excellent at 90K miles but while I was in there (clutch pivot bolt needed retightened) I went ahead and replaced it.

 

[354RwHpLT4CE]

flywheel

you can get other flywheels, other than the Dual mass. I am running a Fidanza. it is light weight (night and day compared to stock).


If I were going for long term originality, on the next clutch swap, change it to a fidanza and keep the stock one for future use... performance, go with fidanza. drivability/quietness, keep it stock.

I think mid america has the stock flywheels now too, at much less than 1000.

You won't need to change out the fly unless it is messed up... if you notice the clutch going, and just change it, the stock fly will be fine 99% of the time. it is when you blow the clutch out that you run into problems (like I did). either way, the fidanza is better, and only about $250.

I also have the fidanza,I like it,but it does cause a rattle.If you go this route,make sure you take it and have it balanced.(they are supposed to be balanced already,but..)If you dont,it wont damage anything(as far as i know)but the rattle will be ALOT worse.

 

[354RwHpLT4CE]

flywheel

Oh yeah,and if your changing the clutch too,you might consider the "stage II" setup or a centerforce.There,of course are other choices too,but those are my favorites.I have the stage II.Just my opinion,and those are like:booty you know?

 

[Edmond]

Guys,

Why did you go with the Fidanza?

 

[Hib Halverson]

There are two aluminum, standard-type (or so-called "single mass") flywheels which can be used to replace the OE dual-mass used on LT1/4/5 engines and are "head and shoulders" above the rest of what's out there. The first is the McLeod and the other is the Fidanza. McLeod has been on the market longer and is what I've used since 1997 in my ZR-1. I also use a McLeod aluminum wheel and a McLeod "Street-Twin" two-plate clutch in my 71 BB. Over the years, I've had excellent results with McLeod products. The Fidanza is only available for late model stuff, is newer to the market, but is just about as good as the McLeod for replacing a stock, dual-mass.

There are ups and downs in replacing the iron dual-mass with a standard flywheel.

Ups:
1) the engine will rev quicker and make more power when it's accelerating due to a significant mass reduction.
2) alum. wheels are less than half the cost of the stock dual-mass
3) though not an issue with most LT4s, it's my opinion that the McLeod and the Fidanza have a greater safety margin for high rpm than does the stock dual mass.
4) for occasional drag racing with cars which are traction-limited (either because the engine is mod'ed quite a bit and/or the car lacks good tires) aluminum wheels make it easier to modulate torque output at launch.

downs:
1) for hard core drag racing with big sticky street tires (ie: "drag radials") or slicks, an aluminum flywheel is probably not the best way to go. It makes the car harder to launch because you need to leave at very high rpm to prevent a bog. If you're going to repalce a dual mass in a car like that you're better to use a heavy steel flywheel.
2) some people don't care for the driveability of an aluminum flywheel on the street--you sometimes need to give it more gas and slip the clutch more to get going.
3) gong to a standard flywheel noticeably increases gear rattle from the six-speed transmission.

 

[354RwHpLT4CE]

Fidanza

Guys,

Why did you go with the Fidanza?

Truth be told,it was already in my car when I bought it.But,I was looking for a healthily modded LT4 CE.But,I guess I can't say I would look strictly for a "fidanza" flywheel,(If it didnt already have it)just an aluminum/lightweight flywheel for less rotating mass.And I cant say I knew of any other options for the LT4.As far as the stage II clutch and the centerforce,they have good reputations.I always look to other peoples opinions/experiances before purchasing stuff like that.

 

[Edmond]

Thanks for the information. I'm trying to read up on as much of the LT4 as possible because I plan on making the jump to LT4 this summer from my '88.

 

[354RwHpLT4CE]

Fidanza

FYI,BRADVETTE has one for sale(Fidanza) for $350 on "C4 parts for sale/wanted" forum

 

[LannyL81]

gmpartsdirect.com LT4 flywheel gm part number:10174482 or if you want the LT5 flywheel change the 2 to a 1.

Later,
LannyL81
Tucson, AZ

 

[jason r. nugent]

it should cost around 500. and about 500. to install yes

Potential new LT-4 owner here with about 1000 questions, first one has to do with the flywheel. Is it normally replaced when the clutch is and is this dual-mass flywheel only available from GM? I have read that the cost is over $1000 for the flywheel, is this true?

Thanks,
LannyL81

 

[jason r. nugent]

Guys,

Why did you go with the Fidanza?

the flywheel on a normal vehicle is heavy the Fidanza is very light this is less stress on the crank making the engine not to work as hard the downside is there is a lot more noise in that application that is what ive got on my 96 lt4 but you have different flywheels so when you buy one make sure the application is correct for you chutch set.it has to be matched to your application.....hope this helps

 

[JEFNLSA]

There are two aluminum, standard-type (or so-called "single mass") flywheels which can be used to replace the OE dual-mass used on LT1/4/5 engines and are "head and shoulders" above the rest of what's out there. The first is the McLeod and the other is the Fidanza. McLeod has been on the market longer and is what I've used since 1997 in my ZR-1. I also use a McLeod aluminum wheel and a McLeod "Street-Twin" two-plate clutch in my 71 BB. Over the years, I've had excellent results with McLeod products. The Fidanza is only available for late model stuff, is newer to the market, but is just about as good as the McLeod for replacing a stock, dual-mass.

There are ups and downs in replacing the iron dual-mass with a standard flywheel.

Ups:
1) the engine will rev quicker and make more power when it's accelerating due to a significant mass reduction.
2) alum. wheels are less than half the cost of the stock dual-mass
3) though not an issue with most LT4s, it's my opinion that the McLeod and the Fidanza have a greater safety margin for high rpm than does the stock dual mass.
4) for occasional drag racing with cars which are traction-limited (either because the engine is mod'ed quite a bit and/or the car lacks good tires) aluminum wheels make it easier to modulate torque output at launch.

downs:
1) for hard core drag racing with big sticky street tires (ie: "drag radials") or slicks, an aluminum flywheel is probably not the best way to go. It makes the car harder to launch because you need to leave at very high rpm to prevent a bog. If you're going to repalce a dual mass in a car like that you're better to use a heavy steel flywheel.
2) some people don't care for the driveability of an aluminum flywheel on the street--you sometimes need to give it more gas and slip the clutch more to get going.
3) gong to a standard flywheel noticeably increases gear rattle from the six-speed transmission.

Hib,

Thx for the info...

That explains alot because I am now sure that my car has the "single-mass" flywheel. From what you have described, that is exactly the clutch I have w/ all the positives & negatives of such. The ZFDoc has worked on my car & driven it and w/o having it apart (clutch) he definitely thought that it was an aftermarket clutch just by the feel.

I've wondered about this since I bought the car (7/04) but w/ the mods the car already had on it (TB & Hotcam) it doesn't surprise me that the orig owner also replaced the clutch w/ this type.

The only thing that sorta baffles me is that when I bought the car, it only had 21k miles on it...(ran a Carfax ) so replacing the clutch w/ those few miles...hmmmm? Guess the orig owner drove the #$%! out of it, or was planning to!

Anyway, the car gets it & has been very reliable so...no complaints.

Thx,
Jeff

 

[legendzzz]

[

The only thing that sorta baffles me is that when I bought the car, it only had 21k miles on it...(ran a Carfax ) so replacing the clutch w/ those few miles...hmmmm? Guess the orig owner drove the #$%! out of it, or was planning to!

Anyway, the car gets it & has been very reliable so...no complaints.

Thx,
Jeff[/QUOTE]

jEFF DO NOT FEEL TOO BAD i JUST PURCHASED AN LT4 WITH 15K AND THE CLUTCH CATCHES HIGH,LOOKS LIKE I WILL BE GETTING A CLUTCH ANY DAY NOW??? HOPE THAT IS ALL IT NEEDS