Automatic Flywheel?

[doughboyea]

Ok, well, forgive my innocense in this, but I've seen quite a few lightweight flywheels available for my car, but in the manual as the ads refer to the clutch components. Now being that I have an automatic, is there a light wieght fly wheel for my E46 ? I know I have one...right? Would it be worth it in an auto?

Dough

[e36_m3_Turbo]

there is NO clutch in an automatic transmission. but there is a Torque converter in its place.. but it isnt a clutch

[doughboyea]

So your saying that there is no flywheel in an automatic transmission?

Dough

[ashram]

Originally posted by doughboyea@Apr 26 2004, 09:25 AM
So your saying that there is no flywheel in an automatic transmission?

Technically yes, but it is not quite the same in the automatic.

This is how it works in a stick. The flywheel mounts to the engine's crankshaft and transmits engine torque to the clutch assembly. The flywheel, when coupled with the clutch disc and pressure plate makes and breaks the flow of power from the engine to the transmission.

This is how it works in an automatic. The flywheel, or flexplate, mounts to the engine's crankshaft and also serves as a mounting location for the torque converter. Consequently, the flywheel or flexplate transmits engine torque to the torque converter housing. The flywheel's ring gear also serves as an engagement point for the pinion of the starter motor when cranking the engine. Because of the lightweight design of the flywheel or flexplate, it does not help to smooth out power pulses from the engine like the flywheel does on a car with a manual transmission. On cars with automatic transmissions, the torque converter provides this function.

[e36_m3_Turbo]

Every car has a flywheel. If it didnt. It wouldnt stay on. But there isnt a clutch system in a auto like there is in an auto

[doughboyea]

Ok, so to answer my question... your saying that it isn't worth it to (or not available to) put in a light weight fly wheel in an automatic? That's all i really wanted to know...

And I do know that automatics don't have a clutch, I was just saying that the reason why I asked about light weight flywheels for my transmission was because all the flywheels that i could find always mentioned some sort of clutch aspect to it, knowing that I don't have a clutch I wondered if there was another special flywheel out there that would work with an automatic and not with a manual.

Dough

[Mach 5]

There would be no added benefit by changing to a lightweight flywheel. I doubt one is available as the flexplate is comparatively light already since it's only function is to provide a place to mount the tourqe converter and ring gear to.
Ben

[EcianIce]

*agrees with Mach*

i've also heard BMW uses dual mass flywheels. so to change it out witha lightweight would cause a noticable clanking noise at low and high rpm.

[doughboyea]

Ok so NO... thanks guys

What would be benificial for greater acceleration in my automatic? I know of the chip and air intake would be it, but don't those decrease your lowend torque, hence off the line slower ?

Dough

[EcianIce]

camshaft or port and polish would be my bet.

generaly all mods add some amount of hp and torque, just some more than others.