Flywheel Question

[jtsarnak]

Sorry if I sound really newbish, but I kinda am.

Does a lightweight flywheel have the same effect using an auto transmission as it does a manual (or at least a comprable benefit)?

[Nathan]

Well, you see Auto transmission's dont use a flywheel, they use a flexplate. You can't really get a lightwheight flexplate because they are allready plenty light Here's an example of a flexplate:

[robertwb70]

for auto trans you get smaller(lighter)/higher stall speed torque converters

...but I've never heard of any for nissans

[jtsarnak]

Ok, so what does an aftermarket torque converter do?

I'm basically NOT interested in a manual swap, but i AM interested in what can be done to speed up the revving or performance of the vehicle with an auto transmission.

Any information would be helpful, cause I've been to sites like howstuffworks.com and auto sites to read up on transmissions and I thought auto's came with flywheels too, so that was the direction I was taking. Thanks guys.

[Biggs2004]

I don't know too much about Autos but I know one thing, keep your ATF clean and new, it helps it shift at the correct rpm, and quicker. I'm not sure but I think someone makes a "performance Auto Transmission Fluid".... look around, I may have just stated the obvious, but it's important. Good luck.

[C-Kwik]

Aftermarket converter performance varies depending on how it's built. For road race, autocross applications, they tend to tighten up the response by lowering the stall speed so that it will respond more like a manual. OEM converters tend to have some slop where the engine can rev up independently to an extent before the car actually starts to want to go.

For drag racing, many may prefer to raise the stall speed so you can actually hold the brake and rev to some 4000+ RPM and it will barel want to go. This allows you to basically take off within the engine's powerband. This is something you see on many Old School V-8 auto transmission dragsters. They get off the line very fast.

[jtsarnak]

Ok, I kinda understand. I at least know what you're talking about when you say, "it revs before it wants to go". So "stall speed" is basically a measure of how much revving is permitted before it wants to go, correct?

I think I would prefer a lower stall speed then, because response seems like it would be more fun for normal everyday driving, although being able to rev up to 4 grand before releasing the brake sounds like tons of fun too. Is stall speed a function of the converter physical design or is it theoretically possibly to design one that would have variable stall speeds depending on what type of driving you're doing (say, electronically actuated from inside the cabin or something)?

In any case, does anyone know:1. Where I could find an aftermarket torque converter2. An estimate of cost3. And if going with a lower stall speed has any downsides like excess wear & tear or something similar?

Thanks again

[jtsarnak]

Anyone out there who can assist me? Thanks!

[Structure240sx]

1. get one made2. $300 from The converter company in woodbury,nj3. if anything i would think a lower stall would have less wear on the drivetrain

i have 3 torque converters sitting in my garage if u want to buy one for less/no downtime. i was goin to get a custom stall done by the converter company but then decided to go 5spd. they quote me 2 days to change the stall of my converter if i brought it to them. it would cost more if u need them or someone else to put it in for u