Hey guys I'm about to do the clutch on a friends 97 AWD and this is what the flywheel he got from Fidanza looks like. Fidanza says a batch of them came out like this but they thought they should be fine.

Ive never seen a flywheel that's holes were miss drilled and I'm a little worried about it. What do you guys think?

I'd check to make sure it's balance before installing it

How much does it weigh?

I wouldn't use it that's rediculous why would they let that go out of the factory? I could see bolts shearing off in the future.

yeah I would send it back and ask for a new one to be sent out at thier expense

It should be OK, even the imbalance would probably be unnoticeable. The extra clearance in the holes shouldn't be an issue. The bolts should not prevent the flywheel from rotating on the end of the crank anyway (by metal to metal contact). It is the clamping load that prevents rotation. If the bolt holes contact the bolts shank/threads, then the bolts are not tight enough!

BUT, why should you or anyone accept something that is not made correctly? If they sold it to you/him for a good discount, then sure.

Thanks for the input guys. My friend spoke to the president of Fidanza today and he said they do not have any of these flywheels in stock or else they would ship him another one. I find that hard to believe but I guess there's no other option but to use this one.

I can't believe they would sell a product like this especially at full price but what can you do.

Also the bolt hole across from the dowel pin hole looks to be "untouched", so there's basically no chance it's going to rotate any differently from a proper flywheel.

I am the one who sold him this flywheel, and the only other one I have looks exactly like it.....
I suppose Fidanza should have given some kind of discount on these, but they didn't. I paid full price for these, same as I always do.

It LOOKS like the holes were drilled out of position, then RE-drilled IN position. Although it doesn't LOOK really pretty, I don't see ANY reason NOT to use it.

As for balance, the "slotting" is fairly symmetrical, I would not expect any issues. AS for bolts shearing off....as I understand, the centre is located on the crankshaft, and there is one dowel hole in the bolt hole circle. That means, that if that dowel is installed, the flywheel can't rotate from it's "correct" position no matter what. The holes are clearance holes only, and it would not matter one bit that they are a little bigger. This would be ESPECIALLY true if you used one of the steel shim plates as I always recommend anyways...

I can believe Fidanza not having more of them. I don't know EXACTLY what is going on at Fidanza, but I THINK they are in trouble. They got out of short shifters quite some time ago. I have not been able to get most of their clutches for a LONG time now, and I recently tried to get a Honda flywheel that was now unavailable also....I would not be surprised if Fidanza closed up in the next year or less..

At first I would of said do not use this FW but when you look at it and read some of the credible (sp?) post in here I'd defenately say go for it.

I would of first tought the Dowl would prevent the rotation but like Rob Greer said the "clamping load prevents rotation". Heck this is a 7 Bolts so lots of clamping force.

Ziggy mentioned the Dowel is responsible for proper positioning.

When we look at it it seems that proper instalation should not be compromised.

Make sure you install it using proper torque sequence and torque value.

Now I do not like to read that "might" be in trouble...

Ghislain

IF AND ONLY IF the flywheel was balanced after it got to its current mangled state then it should be safe for use.

If not I wouldn't give it a second thought. A little imbalance might not make a huge different at lower rpms but if you get to higher rpms be prepared for something to go wrong.

Unbalanced and/or mismatched flywheels have caused severe injuries (and probably death) before.

See this article for a perfect example of the damage that can be done.

"How to Blow up a Big-Block V8"

Bellhousings will not stop exploding clutch disks or flywheels. Neither will your firewall nor will your skin. That's why they use titanium bellhousings in drag racing. Last thing you want is a tranny blowing up between your legs.

Forgot about the dowel, considering that and other points I would change my mind, especially considering the hassle to change it (Not available even). It just makes me angry thinking it would be sent out like that to anyone for any reason.

As for it blowing apart under high rpm, that's why in NA we're lucky the transmission is on the passenger side!

Not in my Mazda 3 it ain't nor is it in the Evos. Most FWD/AWD cars (I've seen) have it driver side.


Like I said, if it has been balanced after all the holes were drilled (as it always should be) then there's no issue. The balancing should account for the crappy holes.

I think that looks sloppy as hell! Those holes should be drilled in a jig! And no tool marks. Wouldnt doubt if its not properly balanced! Youd never get that from ACT! Id get it balanced by a machine shop, If its out send it back for full refund and pick another flywheel! When a company is selling you whats left in their garbage bin of screw-ups' just to make ends meet while they fall apart...I think its time to stop considering them a reputable company. Was it a whole kit? Clutch sets are not something to cheese out on! Especially if your paying full price.

If its balanced then i would ask for a discount or credit..or ill send it back and spred bad reviews thru-out the comunity!

If they truly are going out of business, I don't think they care about bad reviews...

sorry, double post