Flywheel upgrade

[noone]

I'm interested in getting a lightened flywheel for my Polo.

I don't know much about this setup, but from what I've read, its normally done with a new clutch. Is there a reason not to do this on its own?

As there is a group buy from ECS, I thought I'd see how cheap one is going to be.

Is this the right one for our cars?:Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Drivetrain > Clutch > ES#7074 14lbs Lightweight Steel Flywheel - ECS105269B

I have read about increased noise and reduced traffic drivability with the clutch / flywheel combo, any comments on how it feels?

Is this a large piece of work? I'd get my mechanic to do it, any idea how long it would take? Any other parts required at same time?

[h100vw]

I'm interested in getting a lightened flywheel for my Polo.

I don't know much about this setup, but from what I've read, its normally done with a new clutch. Is there a reason not to do this on its own?

As there is a group buy from ECS, I thought I'd see how cheap one is going to be.

Is this the right one for our cars?:Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Drivetrain > Clutch > ES#7074 14lbs Lightweight Steel Flywheel - ECS105269B

I have read about increased noise and reduced traffic drivability with the clutch / flywheel combo, any comments on how it feels?

Is this a large piece of work? I'd get my mechanic to do it, any idea how long it would take? Any other parts required at same time?

Get the price Ben but I wouldn't fit one until you have to. In the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" train of thought.

I think Jimmy does a Polo clutch in about 3-4 hours tops. He does get plenty of practice though.

IMO the reduced driveability and noise is cobblers. My wife drove my A3 with one without problems and the only think I noticed is a bit and I mean a bit of shunt when coming off the throttle at low speed, which the DMF would not transmit.

There no reason not to fit one as a standalone job but unless you know yours is on the way out, you are removing a serviceable part. That said, when Shaneth had his Polo flashed, the clutch quit on the data logging runs.......... He had taken it drag racing a few times so maybe that was a big factor. Anthony ran a std clutch in his Polo with the Phase 2 and only just had the LWFW fitted.

The std clutch won't mate to the LWFW, so you have to get the FW and VR6 clutch as a package or one of the upgrade clutch kits they offer.

Gavin

[h100vw]

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Drivetrain > Clutch > ES#125 VW Stage 1 Clutch Kit (228mm) With Light Weight Steel ECS 14lbs Flywheel, 225-275hp - ESR198031S1

Get this kit Ben.

Gavin

[noone]

Thanks Gav.

Always interested in new places to spend the money I don't have.

Think I'll save my pennies for bigger dreams.

[pogo_55]

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Drivetrain > Clutch > ES#125 VW Stage 1 Clutch Kit (228mm) With Light Weight Steel ECS 14lbs Flywheel, 225-275hp - ESR198031S1

Get this kit Ben.

Gavin

Hi Gav I remember debating the point about more horsepower with you... Should have just looked on that website: "Faster spool-ups & more horsepower!"

In my opinion Ben it is one of the better mods you can make to the car, but I waited until my clutch was almost done. You will notice immediately the quicker acceleration. It drives just like stock and I can't prove it yet but I think it gets better fuel economy when driven normally. The only difference I notice is that when you back off the accelerator it doesn't slow down just quite as quickly as before. Which isn't a good or bad thing, just different.

[break]

With my previous car ('99 Mx5 10AE track spec) I ended up getting a lightened flywheel and exedy HD clutch combo thrown in when the standard clutch needed replacement.

I can safely say the extra spent on the upgraded flywheel made next to no difference and was a waste of money. I should have just got another stock flywheel.

I can't see the point of a lightened flywheel at K03s power levels on a street driven car. Complete waste of cash that should be put towards upgrading the turbo.

[h100vw]

It isn't really an extra cost, you get the fw and clutch combo from ECS for less than the cost of a new std clutch. Plus, in a good number of cases the DMF is shot too and they cost a fair bit as well.

If you see the plot of Shane's Polo against Anthony's you can see the difference in delivery.

Gavin

[Jmac]

It isn't really an extra cost, you get the fw and clutch combo from ECS for less than the cost of a new std clutch. Plus, in a good number of cases the DMF is shot too and they cost a fair bit as well.

If you see the plot of Shane's Polo against Anthony's you can see the difference in delivery.

Gavin

Anthony has the light jobbie now Gav, and yeah practice mate hehehe can say that again!!! ive done the last 2 on my own too , yeha!!!!
Cheers
Jmac

[fintelboss]

I don't know much about this setup, but from what I've read, its normally done with a new clutch. Is there a reason not to do this on its own?

The labour is a substantial part of the total cost, so if you are going to do one you may as well do the other and save paying labour twice.

I have read about increased noise and reduced traffic drivability with the clutch / flywheel combo, any comments on how it feels?

Noise is a result of a harsher clutch compound but rarely occurs - mine is silent. Drive-ability is reduced as the engine revs will drop faster when you let out the clutch so extra throttle is required to prevent stalling. Only annoying in stop-start traffic. The first 30 minutes it doesn't bother me.

The only real reason to upgrade the clutch is if it starts slipping at max torque, or if you frequently drop it quickly on launch.

Lightening the flywheel is baaaad for the gearbox but it will still last a long time. It will help the engine drop and build revs faster when the clutch is in though. probably the only benefit.

[VWindahouse]

I'm interested in getting a lightened flywheel for my Polo.

I don't know much about this setup, but from what I've read, its normally done with a new clutch. Is there a reason not to do this on its own?

As there is a group buy from ECS, I thought I'd see how cheap one is going to be.

Is this the right one for our cars?:Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Drivetrain > Clutch > ES#7074 14lbs Lightweight Steel Flywheel - ECS105269B

I have read about increased noise and reduced traffic drivability with the clutch / flywheel combo, any comments on how it feels?

Is this a large piece of work? I'd get my mechanic to do it, any idea how long it would take? Any other parts required at same time?

I have the ECS clutch kit with the 14lbs LWFW. All I can say is same pedal feel and friction point as stock, no noise and best of all better, more responsive acceleration and faster spool up! I'm more than happy.....

[insanekiwi]

I have the same ECs clutch kit with 14lbs. I would have to say, idle noise is definitely noticeable. Once you get off the line, drives same as stock. Clutch actually feels slightly lighter with this kit. There is no noise on drive, but overall I think there is slightly more transmission noise. At idle, if you use airconditioning a lot, you will hear it at higher tone... like a reasonably quiet small tractor. But with aircond off, not bad.

If you like a 'refined' ride, stick with stock DMF.
If you like the 'grab and go', slightly more responsive acceleration, and is about to get new clutch/flywheel combo, go for it.

Personally I wouldn't do it unless you need to. I've changed mine at 41000km. Just wanted to change it to see what's it like.

[firdausasri]

Hi Guys,

MY ECS Clutch will be on my doorstep next week. May I ask, do you use back the stock clutch bearing (slightly quieter than ECS according to some fellow Polo owners here)?

[pog]

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f19/7lb-lightweight-flywheel-30981.html

A mini review.

[RoSonic]

How much influence does the lighted flywheel have on the engine braking ?
For example when I'm driving down a mountain road - I use a lot of engine braking (downshifting + rev matching) to slow down, sometimes with no foot braking. With a lighter flywheel, would I still be able to drive like this or it will require more use of the foot brake in this kind of driving ?

[Jmac]

How much influence does the lighted flywheel have on the engine braking ?
For example when I'm driving down a mountain road - I use a lot of engine braking (downshifting + rev matching) to slow down, sometimes with no foot braking. With a lighter flywheel, would I still be able to drive like this or it will require more use of the foot brake in this kind of driving ?

It will influence engine braking mate,ask Pogo 55 i did the ECS job on his and one of his 1st findings was holding revs on engine braking due to less mass. so i think more foot brake pal, but more fun accelerating!!!!. As for the release bearing 1st couple of kits i used OEM but the last 2 i got the bearings were very good so i used them with no hiccups.
Cheers
Jmac