Fidanza Flywheel: The Review

[surfwax95]

I just installed my Fidanza Flywheel that I got from Enjuku Racing. I remember before I bought it I was doing research like a mad man trying to figure out whether or not it was right for me and my specific driving habits/styles. After a few weeks I decided to purchase it from Enjuku. Here are my thoughts. The following is all based on MY car, a 1995 240sx 5-speed with the following mods that may or may not effect the review: AEM Short Ram intake, 300zx fuel filter and pump, RPS Sport Clutch rated at ~250 ft.lbs., and springs/struts.

Installation: Well, I consider myself to be mechanically inclined, but definitely no expert. I found the install to be more tedious than laborious. Because of how low my 240 is, the car was lifted using a scissor jack to get the car started up, and a larger jack was then slid underneath to jack it up the rest of the way. I used jackstands to keep all 4 corners in the air. I had my trusty FSM beside me the whole time and my dad helped me out with the labor. Although optional, we dropped the exhaust and released the engine mounts to help ease out the entire transmission. The RPS clutch I mentioned earlier was installed using the Throw-Out bearing that was included. Taking off the stock flywheel I noticed a HUGE difference in weight compared to the Fidanza. I put everything back together just the way I took it apart. Overall I would say difficulty was 6/10 with 10 being "Let somebody else do it for $." Mostly because of the tools needed, my dad owns a shop and had all the tools we needed (air tools for breaking some of the more stubborn bolts), but anyone with a good set of tools and some determination will be able to do this install.

First Impressions: When I started the car, I noticed it didn't have to run the starter near as long as I did before I installed the flywheel. I drove home from my dad's house (300) miles keeping it under 3k RPMs to give it a good break in. I wouldn't recommend getting the freshly installed flywheel over 4k RPMs, the manufacturer recommends a 200-500 mile break in period to let the flywheel seat properly. The car revs a LOT faster now, I'm not really one to rev at people, but let's just say I can now. Before I had to lay my foot on the throttle for 2 seconds to get it up to 5000rpms, now a small blip will get the tach up there. After the break in, I did my first 0-60 run. Using my G-tech (which isn't very accurate) my 0-60 WAS 8.65 seconds. With a new clutch and this flywheel it is now 8.02 seconds. I haven't experienced the loss of driveability that a lot of people have talked about in some other posts. I can still let out on the clutch with NO throttle and not stall out. The KA has a surplus of torque and installing this flywheel has not adversely effected it. Driving up hills isn't as labor intensive as a lot of people make it out to be. You don't have to downshift if you've got some speed going into it. Hard launches will of course be compromised due to the loss in reciprocating mass, but the top end gained from the flywheel makes up for the poorer launch. Conclusions: From the 100 or so hard miles I've put on this flywheel so far, I would have to say this product is DEFINITELY recommended. Like I said before, the KA has a LOT of torque, but what it doesn't have is high end power. We've all experienced the "dropoff" at 5500. This flywheel has basically moved my entire power band from "3k - 5k" to "3.5k - 6k". It will lose a little bit of grunt right around 3000, but the gain in upper RPM power more than makes up for it. So if you think losing some of the KA's lower end power for a large gain in high end power then this product is for you. I highly recommend this product and I also highly recommend Enjuku Racing. They got this to me in 3 days and for a better price than a lot of other places. Support NICO and buy from sponsors.



A quick "pro/con" for people who don't want to read:

Pros- Faster revs.- Rev matching on downshifts is awesome now. Just a tiny blip of the throttle to get 2k RPMs.- Makes it feel like a CAR engine, not a truck motor. - Passing on the highway is a lot better.- Easier starting.- Fills the void in power past 5k RPMs.- Better gas mileage. (I haven't had it long enough to get an average, but after one tank of gas it beats my normal average of 27.3, now it's 28.6.)

Cons- Revs drop a lot faster, not cool for autoXing. Push in the clutch and it drops to 750 rpms.- $300 could be spent on something that gains more power.- Apparently some people lose some driveability due to the "loss" in torque. I haven't experienced this.- Some people may find it difficult to install.- You'll get more speeding tickets.


Modified by surfwax95 at 4:42 PM 11/21/2005

[OldmanPurdy]

Nice writup! I have to replace my clutch this winter so I am thinking about getting the fidenza while Im at it. Did you notice a significant difference in how fast it revs?

[Nismochick240]

*sticky please*good info thanks a lot! i too was thinking of the flywheel, i've heard bad things and good things about it! thanks!!!

[surfwax95]

I added a little more info in the writeup.

[Repo Man]

I also highly recommend Enjuku Racing. They got this to me in 3 days and for a better price than a lot of other places. Support NICO and buy from sponsors.



Modified by surfwax95 at 12:49 PM 11/21/2005

[KDashy]

Nice writeup, have you noticed any problems downshifting? As in the revs drop too fast before you get into gear? Thats my main concern about a lightened flywheel.

[surfwax95]

Yes, I have noticed this (I added this to the write up).

As soon as you push in the clutch it starts falling rather quickly, but a quick touch of the gas and it goes right back up. Not that big of a deal.

[KDashy]

Also how is casual uphill climbing? is it still viable below 3k rpm? Or do you have to drop a gear?

All in all it doenst seem to lose as much drivability as people make it seem.

[surfwax95]

I work in the Chenal valley in Little Rock, notorious for hilly roads and I have had no problem at all with hills. Of course if you're in 5th gear cruising up hill at 45, you might have to downshift, but for the most part I have had no problems at all with hills.

To answer your question, Kdashy, yes the KA monster can still climb hills under 3k.

[cdlong]

Cons- Revs drop a lot faster, not cool for autoXing. Push in the clutch and it drops to 750 rpms.

how often do you shift in an autoX? i start in first and shift into second and don't touch the clutch after that. i haven't yet come upon a corner where i had to down shift and you can get on the power smoother and faster if you leave the car in gear.

[surfwax95]

how often do you shift in an autoX? i start in first and shift into second and don't touch the clutch after that. i haven't yet come upon a corner where i had to down shift and you can get on the power smoother and faster if you leave the car in gear.

It really depends on the course. Most of the time I go to a large airport where I get up to 85 mph. I don't think that's 2nd gear territory. The average time on that course is 1:30 (you get your $'s worth ) and there a lot of slow turns coming from long straights (a lot of shifting). Even on the smaller courses I like to feather the clutch in a really sharp turn to get the rear end around quicker and start exiting the corner sooner. Different styles I guess. On the really really slow turns where 2nd gear gets down to around 2500rpms, I'll throw it in 1st, then on the shift from 1st to 2nd that's when the revs drop like I was describing in the write-up.

[yelloice]

have u researched exedy or unorthodox flywheels? why did u choose fidenz. over these flywheels? price ?

[xagna]

"Even on the smaller courses I like to feather the clutch in a really sharp turn to get the rear end around quicker and start exiting the corner sooner. "

I don't understand what you mean by "feathering the clutch to get the rear end..."

Could you tell me more about this?

[KDashy]

"Even on the smaller courses I like to feather the clutch in a really sharp turn to get the rear end around quicker and start exiting the corner sooner. "

I don't understand what you mean by "feathering the clutch to get the rear end..."

Could you tell me more about this?

Clutch kick perhaps?

[surfwax95]

I wouldn't consider it a "clutch kick" per se, that would make the car go a little too sideways.

I was talking about entering the corner in 2nd gear. Turning. Pushing in the clutch just enough to let it slip a little making the revs go up. Then letting back out on the clutch abrubtly making the rear end of the car straighten up and push me out of the corner faster. Rather than just taking it in second and having to use all of my tire's grip for turning rather than accelerating out of the turn.

Straight lines = Good times ( corny autoxing mantra)

have u researched exedy or unorthodox flywheels? why did u choose fidenz. over these flywheels? price ?

Yes, the average price of Exedy is $450, the average for Unorthodox is ~$500....as opposed to Fidanza's average of $325.Based on what I've read, Fidanza is equal to, if not better than (in strength, durability, and performance) these other brands.

Win win situation.

[cdlong]

Most of the time I go to a large airport where I get up to 85 mph. I don't think that's 2nd gear territory. The average time on that course is 1:30 (you get your $'s worth ) and there a lot of slow turns coming from long straights (a lot of shifting).

sounds like a lot of fun and nothing like any autoX i've ever been on.

[surfwax95]

Yea, the local SCCA guys (mostly Mustangs and Camaros) started getting bored of the really tight courses (they got tired of losing) and set up this new track at Petit Jean Airport. It's really fun, but I'm not as fast on it due to the fact that it's mostly long straights into small corners.

[UncleBen]

Thanks for the writeup, I have also been having doubts about getting a Fidanza, but am more convinced to get one now. Thanks again.

[drifter_for_life06]

awesome write up

i might want one when i upgrade my clutch but we'll see

as far as teh pro's/con's go....you pissed me off

you posted them AFTER you wrote it all so that people could "read those instead of the paragraphs" well hell man, i ahd to read the paragraphs and scroll down to know the lists were there!!!

[[email protected]]

how much did the flywheel weigh and how much does the OEM flywheel weigh? also, did you notice any chatter when starting to roll in 1st?

[drifter_for_life06]

ive heard the stock one weighs like 30+

and Fidanze is liek 11

[DjPantsSpecR]

you heard that? cuz its 23 lbs

but the danza is 11

[drifter_for_life06]

hmm o well, i dont care how heavy the stocker is, as so long as i know my new one will be sub12.5

[[email protected]]

anyone know if they chatter?

[DjPantsSpecR]

well i think its fair to say that a flywheel will not cause a chattering issue, thats usually associated with unsprung clutches and other ridiculous clutch setups

[surfwax95]

anyone know if they chatter?

My clutch slipped on the flywheel for about 2 miles, but that is to be expected due to a fine coating of dust, oils, and oxide. It does not chatter at all. That would be due mostly to a clutch. I installed a RPS sport clutch that is made for street/track, it has 3 springs, roughly a 30lb. push in, and does not chatter at all. I highly recommend this clutch also. I got it from Phase2Motortrend (Good seller).

As far as the weight of stock versus Fidanza. Let's just say you could never "accidentally" install the wrong one. My stock flywheel weighed 26lb, the Fidanza weighed 12 (advertised 11, but who's counting).

Sorry Drifter_for_life06, I just thought of it. Thanks for actually reading the article, though. Consider yourself "not lazy".

[xagna]

I wouldn't consider it a "clutch kick" per se, that would make the car go a little too sideways.

I was talking about entering the corner in 2nd gear. Turning. Pushing in the clutch just enough to let it slip a little making the revs go up. Then letting back out on the clutch abrubtly making the rear end of the car straighten up and push me out of the corner faster. Rather than just taking it in second and having to use all of my tire's grip for turning rather than accelerating out of the turn.

Thanks. But wouldn't this burn your clutch a little at least?

[JDMLyfeStyle]

I definately Recommend Fidanza For a Flywheel. Ive had mine in my civic for damn near 2 years.. and that things is amazing.. 9500 RPM's Comes up soo fast.

If you seek RPM's and improved In Accelleration i would definately get one

[skydragoness]

I've driven my friends S13 hicas that I sold my Fidanza to. Its very cool, and i don't think it hurts for autoxing. If anything it helps since you get more response out of the car--if your feet are quick enough. It's a worthwhile investment.

[drifter_for_life06]

anyone know fi the rps clutch is a good one for drifting?