Hi Gents,
Let me apologize ahead of time for the newb question, but I need help identifying which flywheel I need. I'm putting the LNF/LDK in a kit car with an aftermarket transmission and throw-out bearing.

I received these pictures form Aasco. It shows their two ecotec flywheels that might be what I need. As best we can tell the two designs have the same pressure plate interface dimensions, but clearly one is thicker than the other (probably for a dual mass flywheel replacement).

P/N and description from their website:
- Left = 101217-11: '07-09 Solstice/Sky 2.0L
- Right = 101218-11: '08-09 Cobalt 2.0L turbocharged

So, which one is the right one? Is it that the cobalt has a single mass flywheel and the solstice/sky use a dual mass flywheel? Is there any reason the cobalt flywheel could not be used in a RWD application?

Thanks,
Daniel

 

Neither flywheel is interchangeable. Both flywheels will of course bolt up to the LNF crank, however the MU3 (F35) flywheel will not work with the MA5 trans, and vice versa. What sort of aftermarket trans are you working with here and in what vehicle?

 

I'm using a Ford Type-9 transmission in a Caterham 7. I'm modifying a bellhousing made for the older iron block ecotec in Europe (Vauxhal CX20 I think) which was designed to mate that transmission to it. Unbelievably the input shaft spline and pilot bearing are the same with the LNF. How is that for standardization? For those that don't know the T-9 is from the Ford Sierra and Merkur XR4Ti in the 80's.

Is the only problem the axial location of TOB? If both flywheels bolt to the LNF and the clutch is the same then I think that's the only difference right?

Any idea why they used a heavier (dual mass?) flywheel on the solstice/sky? I imagine the FWD layout of the solstice sort of demanded a thin flywheel.

Daniel

 

Was it something I said? Can somebody confirm the differences betwee cobalt and sky/solstice? Is it that Solstice/Sky us a dual mass flywheel? I know the cobalt transmission has no pilot bearing, but I don't think that has any impact on the clutch?

Comments welcome....

Daniel

 

There are a couple solstice/sky guys around, hopefully they will chime in. Also this place is dead on weekends

 

I was able to answer some of my own question. Dave from DDM confirms the RWD application use a dual mass flywheel. I have to admit a level concern now because my experience from removing dual mass flywheels is not so pleasant. Late model Supra transmissions would rattle like an SOB at idle w/o it.

I have to wonder if there is a fundamental difference between FWD and RWD transmissions that make it so RWD need a dual mass flywheel. Is the longer input shaft length more prone to bouncing around at idle?

Daniel

 

Dual mass flywheels dampen the load put in the trans input shaft. Without this dampening, rattles inside the trans become audible. Some trans need them, others don't. And it's not specific to RWD or FWD. Even some fwd trans need to use DMF for these same reasons. The rattle is seems like it's most apparent with clutch engaged, in neutral, while idling. It has been said that the absense of DMF can cause syncro related issues/failures also.

 

Thanks. I went ahead with the cobalt version of the Aasco flywheel. I figure if it's too light I can at least put the stock cobalt flywheel in and it should be easier to package than the sky/solstice version.

Daniel

 

Ok, new question....does this look right? It looks to me like the pilot pin is way too small.

 

Iirc the lsj and lnf flywheels have different dowel pin sizes, they will both still bolt up though. As long as all the pp bolts are in and tight the dowels become obsolete anyways, they are just there for centering purposes.

 

In my internet searches I found this picture from ZZP which is the LDK drop-out from the crate engines they buy from Europe. It looks the same as what I have so I look to be in good shape.

In other news the clutch I bought doesn't have the right splines so I had to buy said LDK clutch kit....DOH!

If anyone needs a GMPP clutch let me know. I'll post it for sale shortly.

Daniel

 

Ok, some more updates for those that might care. The LDK pilot pins actually don't have a big clearance. This convinced me to make some small bushings that go over the pins in my flywheel and fit in the GMPP pressure plate. Fortunately this was relatively easy as the O.D. is 5/16 so I just needed to drill out some 5/16" rod and press them on.

Also for peoples information, the LDK flywheel is bigger in diameter than the LSJ/LNF/LDK which makes the PP unusable. I also discovered that the disk is about 0.030" thicker than the GMPP clutch which means the disk are not interchangeable despite being the same diameter.

In the end I had to order a clutch master setup to get what I wanted. I'll find out Friday if it fits.

Daniel