Let's talk lightened flywheels...

[pastaroni34]

Well, most of the time, I suggest going with the easiest solution, which in this case is a lightened flywheel. You could save a few bucks and spend it on pistons instead ($375 for aluminum, or $100 for lighten + resurface.) You can always change the flywheel out later, changing pistons, however, is much more difficult.

Flywheels should be balanced after lightening, and even after resurfacing. Our aluminum flywheels are not balanced after machining, though they are better balanced than OE flywheels from the factory. That being said, they could be balanced more precisely, which we recommend. The least balanced part of the aluminum flywheels is actually the OE ring gear.

If you have the engine apart, it is always best to balance the flywheel with the rotating assembly. Usually it is about $100 to do the whole bottom end, crank, pulley, flywheel, clutch, pistons and rods.

If you aren't pulling the engine apart, then you can balance is separately, a service we charge $40 for.

[pastaroni34]

..and in response to Maytag directly:

Our Fiat engines are internally balanced. Swapping parts will not disturb the balance of the assembly.

Each component is "neutral" or "zero" balanced separately. However, due to tolerances in fitting, it is always best to balance parts separately, then balance them together as an assembly. If the rotating axis of the flywheel is not exactly on the the rotating axis of the crank, the assembly will be out of balance, even though each component was balanced on their own axis.

Balance "corrections" made as an assembly are usually much smaller than as individual components. Some balancing equipment won't even register a difference. It depends what kind of tolerance you want to balance something to. I am sure that components balanced separately will be balanced better than Fiat did from the factory.

Balancing is a complex subject, I can go much further but I think I should stop here.

[AndyS]

But too light can be a dog in traffic, especially if the motor is a bit cammy and temperamental at low revs.

I agree. Don't go too light on an street car, especially if you have aggressive cams.

[maytag]

ok, I'm with ya.
nutshell version: I can have the assembly balanced (I AM changing pistons, and I'll match-balance the rod/piston assemblies before I take it all to the machinist to balance) with my stock flywheel, and then later when yours is available (assuming I get my order in right away ) I can swap it in. the balance might be less than perfect, but better than it was from the factory.

yes?

I need to get this thing done and back on the road before it falls into that hole that my unfinished projects go in when spring starts approaching.... the backyard, garden and home-remodeling projects always take over.

(Plus this year I've added motorcycling with my son and my son-in-law into the already busy schedule! )

[pastaroni34]

Exactly.

The number one thing is to get your car on the road and enjoying it. You'll certainly have more fun driving it with a stock flywheel than you will waiting around for one. Plus, when/if you install a lightweight one, you'll be able to notice the difference!