Review: LCE Flywheel & Pro Clutch

10387 Views 20 Replies 14 Participants Last post by ilovemytruck, Mar 5, 2010

Stock Taco

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2010 (Edited)

8

Well I guess a new thread is warranted...

Had Speed Freek install my LCE Lightweight Flywheel and Pro Clutch today. I considered doing the install myself, but was short on some tools. Plus, Jason and I worked a deal and he got some parts and cash for his work. While at it, he also replaced the rear main seal, pilot bearing and release bearing (it was definitely due, had play in it). New OEM clutch and FW bolts were also used.

My first impression after the drive home was that the Pro Clutch gives a slightly softer than stock pedal. It engages close to stock pedal travel, but is abrupt when it does. In fact, I'd say shifting gears is even easier than stock with this setup... Possibly due to reduced rpm variance in-between shifts.

I didn't experience any drivability issues from the clutch (no chatter or noise) and would say I'm already used to it. A side-effect of the lightweight flywheel, however, is a bit of vibration when coasting and with no load on the engine. Seems worst at around 2,000 rpm. Of note: LCE did balance the FW and pressure plate together, and they were properly indexed when installed.

I was easy on the clutch as it needs to be broken-in, but did hammer it a few times after clutch engagement and wow, I'm impressed. The lightweight flywheel gives a pretty significant acceleration difference, especially in 1st and 2nd.

MPG seems about the same or better than before (so far, 25 mpg combined city/hwy), even though the battery was disconnected. I read somewhere that city mpg should improve and hwy may be the same or maybe a little worse with a lightweight flywheel.

The Goods:

The Old:

New Rear Main Seal and Pilot Bearing

FW action, shot through the shifter opening:

A little grease on the Pressure Plate:

We also installed Marlin Crawler's HD urethane Shifter Seat bushing and a new nylon Socket bushing for the LCE Short Shifter:

95% done:

A big thanks to John @ LCE and Jason. :waytogo:

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1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Speed Freek

· #2 · Mar 3, 2010

Awesome Ryan, glad we could do business once again, always a pleasure.

I hope the clutch meets your expectations, on the test drive it seemed to work very well, have fun, and when its broke in you should find a parking lot and act like a professional drifter or at least an Amateur one..

Let me know if you ever need anything, I got yer back man.:waytogo:

ToY_TaC

· #3 · Mar 3, 2010

looks good I stocktaco
I cant wait to get my fidanza and clutch in

and hey jason did you pull the driveshaft then tranny?

Speed Freek

· #4 · Mar 3, 2010

ToY_TaC said:
looks good I stocktaco
I cant wait to get my fidanza and clutch in

and hey jason did you pull the driveshaft then tranny?

Yes, make sure you make marks on the driveshaft and the axle flange so you put it back together in the same clocking you took it apart, it can vibrate if you dont.

azntaco

· #5 · Mar 3, 2010

So would you recommend this setup to other members?

sickboy23

· #6 · Mar 3, 2010

Did you gain any hp ?

671taco

· #7 · Mar 3, 2010

I don't think you gain any hp but you feel a big difference in acceleration. And yes you might as well get a clutch to install while you are down there. You won't regret it! I know I don't! :waytogo:

Proteus503

· #8 · Mar 3, 2010

671taco said:
I don't think you gain any hp but you feel a big difference in acceleration. And yes you might as well get a clutch to install while you are down there. You won't regret it! I know I don't! :waytogo:

agreed. the 11lb flywheel was one of the best investments i ever made in my 2rz / 3rz powered tacos. night and day difference compared to the stock flywheel.

Stock Taco

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 3, 2010 (Edited)

Speed Freek said:
Awesome Ryan, glad we could do business once again, always a pleasure.

I hope the clutch meets your expectations, on the test drive it seemed to work very well, have fun, and when its broke in you should find a parking lot and act like a professional drifter or at least an Amateur one..

Let me know if you ever need anything, I got yer back man.:waytogo:

Righteous :waytogo:

ToY_TaC said:
looks good I stocktaco
I cant wait to get my fidanza and clutch in

and hey jason did you pull the driveshaft then tranny?

Thanks. You'll love the Fidanza. It and LCE's are very similar: 11lb. billet. I'd recommend having a machine shop balance both as a set. I also have LCE's lightweight/underdrive crank pulley - so its lighter on both ends of the crank. I believe the heavy steel crank pulley and FW help to dampen engine vibrations, and the balancing helps to keep the revs nice and smooth.

azntaco said:
So would you recommend this setup to other members?

Absolutely, for mild 2wd drivers this would be a very cost-effective mod. This combo is very user-friendly and I think drives easier than stock!

edit:
I think LCE's Dual Comp disc would be better suited for more aggressive driving and some strip use. It has a metallic pucks on one side and the Pro Clutch lining on the other.

Once broken-in I'll be able to test how the Pro Clutch launches.

671taco said:
I don't think you gain any hp but you feel a big difference in acceleration. And yes you might as well get a clutch to install while you are down there. You won't regret it! I know I don't! :waytogo:

Proteus503 said:
agreed. the 11lb flywheel was one of the best investments i ever made in my 2rz / 3rz powered tacos. night and day difference compared to the stock flywheel.

Yeah. From URD: There are a few Internet sources that claim for every pound reduced in rotational mass of the crankshaft assembly, you gain 2.7 acceleration horsepower.

So... If the stock FW weighs 23lbs (I've heard it's 22 and 24lbs.) and assuming the clutch assemblies are close to the same weight, the FW gives a 12lb. weight reduction. 12 x 2.7 = 32.4 Acceleration HP! Don't know how accurate this claim is though. Regardless, It's way quicker now!

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sickboy23

· #10 · Mar 3, 2010

ive had my fidanza for about 8 months love it noticed alot of power or take off difference just havent had it dynoed to see great product tho

JcustomFab

· #11 · Mar 4, 2010

Nice man! I'm glad everything went smoothly for ya.

Stock Taco said:
I didn't experience any drivability issues from the clutch (no chatter or noise) and would say I'm already used to it. A side-effect of the lightweight flywheel, however, is a bit of vibration when coasting and with no load on the engine. Seems worst at around 2,000 rpm. Of note: LCE did balance the FW and pressure plate together, and they were properly indexed when installed.

I noticed a little more vibration through the shifter with LCE's short throw. It's not rubber isolated like the stock one.

Have fun with the mods.:waytogo:

ilovemytruck

· #12 · Mar 4, 2010

Are these light weight flywheels suitable for my prerunner with 32's? I've been reading up and have heard that the 11 and 9 lb FW's are for trucks with small tires only. Can anyone explain what would be best for my 88 2wd? I'll be replacing my clutch in the next week, and just started looking into this. any help would be much appreciated!

planemos

· #13 · Mar 4, 2010

Good to see you are buying a clutch. I had an 88 sort of like yours and it had 31s. Yea a lightweight flywheel frees up horsepower. Good for smaller or lighter wheels like LCEngineering states online. You probably wouldn`t want one because a heavier flywheel, such as stock, will give you more torque. And since you have 32s I suggest you focus on the clutch.

Proteus503

· #14 · Mar 4, 2010

ilovemytruck said:
Are these light weight flywheels suitable for my prerunner with 32's? I've been reading up and have heard that the 11 and 9 lb FW's are for trucks with small tires only. Can anyone explain what would be best for my 88 2wd? I'll be replacing my clutch in the next week, and just started looking into this. any help would be much appreciated!

you dont want to put a light flywheel on a prerunner or 4x4. you need low-end torque to get those big tires moving, and keep them moving. resurface your old flywheel, reinstall, and leave it alone. but definately beef up the clutch!

baldtaco

· #15 · Mar 4, 2010

How many miles were on your truck when you changed this?

mitzu

· #16 · Mar 4, 2010

heres a quick link on a cheap clutch guys
http://orlando.craigslist.org/pts/1603029123.html
my truck was supercharged basically from factory and after 105000 miles the clutch was DONE...extremely worn down.

Stock Taco

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 4, 2010

baldtaco said:
How many miles were on your truck when you changed this?

76k on mine. Rear Main Seal was not leaking, but was not as flexible as the new one. Release Bearing was also shot, although it wasn't making noise. Clutch had a fair amount of meat on it. Typical PP and FW surface wear.

LilWhtTaco

· #18 · Mar 4, 2010

very nice ryan.

i use a fidanza and a exedy stock replacement clutch on my 2rz and its the bizzle.. i love the way it drives. the way it shifts and responds is very similar to an s2000. three of my buddies had s2000s and they all drove the same way. of course it has shorter gears but beyond that, they drive very similar.

rednecktaco

· #19 · Mar 4, 2010

Proteus503 said:
you dont want to put a light flywheel on a prerunner or 4x4. you need low-end torque to get those big tires moving, and keep them moving. resurface your old flywheel, reinstall, and leave it alone. but definately beef up the clutch!

I never had a problem in my 4x4 with 3.58 and 30 inch tall tires. But any offroading 4 lo is needed. Loved my fidenza flywheel.

mad a bitlg difference at 2-3 shift. Hit about 60-63 in second hit third, there used to be a dead spot till about 75, then strong till 99mph. After it would jump when u hit third and kept goin. I liked it.

Stock Taco

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 5, 2010

Thanks Rex. Yeah, I'm lovin' it. The Taco is just getting more fun to drive. Revs and goes thru the gears pretty damn quick for what my truck is, even makes 5th pull like it's not an overdrive.

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