In his advice regarding "Easy Modifications," John Connolly (Aircooled.Net) wrote the following regarding lightening the flywheel -
Have your flywheel lightened: (engine removal is required for this modification). If you are uncoordinated at driving a stick, or have a HEAVY car (baja, bus or type 3 or 4), this modification is NOT for you. The lightened flywheel will allow the engine to rev faster. Do NOT add a heavy duty clutch unless you get an 8-doweled crank and flywheel to keep the flywheel on tight! Don't forget that changing flywheels requires you to re set the endplay, and it's strongly recommended (by me) that you change your flywheel seal (main seal) and o-ring. You are in there, so you may as well do it. Check your clutch while you're at it, too!
Disclaimer stuff: Rob and Dave have prepared this information from their own experiences. We have not assumed any specialised mechanical knowledge, but we DO assume that anyone using this information has at least some basic mechanical ability.
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Last revised 5 May 2004.