K Series Flywheel

[Devine 7]

Can anyone tell me if the R300, R400 and R500 all used the same flywheel and was it the standard flywheel from  1600K, or something a bit more special, i.e. a lightened and balanced standard flywheel or something machined from billet?

Edited November 28, 2023 by Devine 7
Spelling error + Added text

[Wrightpayne]

The 1.6/1.8 standard Caterham flywheel is Rover part number PSD102170. The production Rover cars with the 1.8 engine used a different gearbox and larger flywheel which doesnt fit the Caterham.

 

Purely speculating, I expect the production flywheel is cast iron and the R500 flywheel is steel. As you remove material, the metal needs to be stronger to stop it disintegrating! 

[Devine 7]

Thanks Wrightpayne.Thats what I was thinking. Just trying to work out if all the R#00 variants that were fitted with the tuned 1.8 K series used the same flywheel and if they did, was it the standard 1.6K flywheel of something different.

[Richard Price]

'pretty sure the Superlight, SLR, R300, & R400 were fitted with the upgrade light flywheel as standard, and the R500 was supplied with a slightly lighter flywheel again.

As Ian says, its not simply a lightened standard flywheel, but a replacement made from better material with light weight in mind when being designed.

[Devine 7]

1 hour ago, Richard Price said:

'pretty sure the Superlight, SLR, R300, & R400 were fitted with the upgrade light flywheel as standard, and the R500 was supplied with a slightly lighter flywheel again.

As Ian says, its not simply a lightened standard flywheel, but a replacement made from better material with light weight in mind when being designed.

Thanks Richard,     so hypothetically, if I was planning to increase the power of a standard 1.8 using the conventional route of: fully forged bottom end ( Pistons, Rods and a  Machined from billet crank) fully ported/big valve head (blanked off VVC type) 4x SF48 ITB's with Velocity Stacks etc etc...... the Flywheel from a Superlight R would be up to the job? 

[Wrightpayne]

I fitted an R500 flywheel in mine and it makes a big difference.

There are good aftermarket lightweight K series flywheels available new if you cannot source an Rxxx version.

Ian

[Colin_T]

What about one of these?

https://www.atspeedracing.co.uk/products/billet-steel-flywheels/caterham

https://www.atspeedracing.co.uk/products/billet-steel-flywheels/mg-rover/rover-1-8-k-series-lite
 

[7 wonders of the world]

TTV make some superb flywheels and clutches....

[oilyhands]

5 hours ago, Devine 7 said:

Thanks Richard,     so hypothetically, if I was planning to increase the power of a standard 1.8 using the conventional route of: fully forged bottom end ( Pistons, Rods and a  Machined from billet crank) fully ported/big valve head (blanked off VVC type) 4x SF48 ITB's with Velocity Stacks etc etc...... the Flywheel from a Superlight R would be up to the job? 

I’d say that if you are shooting for less than 8500 /220BHP then a steel crank would not be a necessity, the R400 had a standard 1800 crankshaft. You may also find that the K series Direct to Head throttle bodies are a better choice than SFs and will be easier to commission. 

TTV do indeed make excellent flywheels, I have used a number of them with zero issues.

Oily

[21jigsaw]

The K original flywheel was  from Rover R65 / Peugeot  gearbox.( Metro 1400 K) Smaller dia flywheel than a standard 1.6 /1.8 (PG1 Gearbox)

There were 2 lightwieght steel versions manufactured by Titan for Caterham.

Dave