I am replacing the clutch in my sons 2008 SS 5-speed.

Aluminum vs Steel flywheel?

I know aluminum revs faster, but what are the disadvantages (less inertia so harder to take off?).

Steve

 

I’ve always had steel flywheels in my drag cars, mostly because of cost and 50 years ago an aluminium flywheel wasn’t all that common.
For a daily driver , steel would last longer.

 

The heavier the flywheel, the easier it is to launch, the slower the throttle response, the slower it is to shift. For the average person driving on the street, steel is probably better. My Lotus had a flywheel/clutch/pressure plate assembly that was 11 pounds and the clutch had no springs, solid hub, solid plate. really fun, but almost no one but me could get it started smoothly. If the tires can hold, heavier tends to be better for drag racing as it can improve the 60 which is the most important part, for road racing lighter is better until you can't launch the car or it can't take the heat. If you like revving the car to impress, aluminum is better because it revs faster.

Ira