atotalpro

Im in need of a new flywheel for a 1.8. Unfortunately no one in my area resurfaces (or at lest resurfaces and answers the phone and sounds confident about it).

At this point I would rather just buy something new, and move on with life. This particular project is already over budget, so I would like to save money where I can.

Im looking for updated reviews on the f1 / FX Gripforce stuff (I assume its all the same). Price is right, Goodwin sells the F1 branded stuff, which gives me a bit of a confidence boost.

Is it safe option, or do I need to shell out another $250 for a SM flywheel?

atotalpro

I went ahead and ordered the FX Gripforce lightweight flywheel. I found enough reviews from a while back speaking positively of it, and more importantly, with all the retailers dealing these, I can't find any reports of failures or issues.

Since it's a steal flywheel, my biggest concern was if they were actually balancing them individually.

The flywheel showed up today and does appear to be balanced. It has a balancing drill mark along the outside of the front face.

atotalpro

UPDATE: the dowel pins in the flywheel didn't match up perfectly with the pressure plate. While I probably should have called up Gripforce, I already allocated time this week to get the car back together and really don't want to wait for parts. I opted to open up the dowel holes on the pressure plate ever so slightly. I figured that since I am removing such a small amount of material, evenly from around the flywheel, it shouldn't unbalance it. If the pressure plate is now off center, that is a different story.

The pressure plate now fits SNUG on the flywheel dowels, on the outside edge of the holes on the pressure plate.

atotalpro

if anyone knows the tolerances for aligning the pressure plate, that would be helpful.

atotalpro

UPDATE: Talking to Gripforce support, they tried to convince me that the dowels have nothing to do with alignment for balance. They also said that the bolts would align the pressure plate, which they clearly will not. I opted to to do a defective return through ebay.

Z_WAAAAAZ

Props given for keeping this thread updated with the resolution. Don't think I've personally seen any other feedback on these flywheels.

atotalpro

There is some stuff from, like, 10+ years ago. Seems like they were pretty hit and miss back then too. Honestly, I wouldn't be so upset, especially for the price if they handled the situation better and didn't make suggestions or assertions that were blatantly wrong.

YourEconProf

Not to self promote, but I have a mildly used but in great shape SM 9lb flywheel for sale. I went back to a 12lb. DM me is you are interested

atotalpro

I appreciate the offer, but really want to stick with a new flywheel as I don't have anyone locally that can both answer the pone and re-surface a flywheel.

atotalpro

yet another update...

Sent the Gripforce flywheel back and ordered one from Action Clutch. MAPerformance had a good deal on it and its SFI rated so I figured it was a good option. Today it showed up and its literally the same stupid flywheel with different paint. This one has no balancing marks and the machining is even worse. On top of that, it also has the EXACT same fitment issue. Currently in talks with Action Clutch support. Unless they send me another, im just going to return this turd as well.

I've been messaging a company called Hyper Clutch. They seem to have some slightly different offerings outside of the normal chinese "pick your color" clutch kits and claim everything is made in the US. Their lightweight flywheels look very similar to FM's. If I send the Action clutch stuff back, I will probably try one of these.

https://hyperclutch.com/

Z_WAAAAAZ

Dude it sounds like it's time to just order a SM clutch and be done with it.

atotalpro

You aren't wrong. Im just cheap.

Z_WAAAAAZ

Fair enough, I'm with you lol. Keep the thread updated with what you find!

Stock

Don't cheap out on things that: 1) can explode through the floorboard when failed or 2) don't require dropping the transmission to replace if there's an issue.

atotalpro

I get that. Im super paranoid about flywheels failing. The action clutch flywheel was supposed to be SFI 1.1. I felt like it was a safe bet.

I only tried the Gripforce pos because there had been several people on the site running them and no complaints outside of partially tapped bolt holes.

Z_WAAAAAZ

So I'm currently swapping to a BMW tranny in my car and am about to put my SM 4 puck clutch and ACT Prolite Flywheel up for sale. I'd be willing to sell em cheap-ish if you're interested. The clutch has about 16k miles on it and the flywheel has 20k and has been resurfaced once. I have a brand new friction disc for the clutch too. PM me if interested and I'll make you a deal.

atotalpro

I appreciate all the offers for used stuff. I fortunately there isn't anyone near me I trust to resurfaced a flywheel, so I'm stuck going new.

I took the dive and just ordered the super miata flywheel and exedy oe clutch. They fit together without issue. Go figure.

Currently going to a PayPal dispute with MAPerformance over the Action Clutch flywheel.