UPDATE: Pics on last page

I just got back from my friend shop with some very bad news. A couple of weeks ago i went outside to start my car to go to work... no luck. It seemed the starter was freely spinning without engaging the flywheel. I was also hearing a strange metallic rattling/grinding noise when the starter was spinning. I thought to myself about what it could be, and was leaning toward it being the solenoid not engaging the gear with the flywheel. I took it to a friends shop and had it checked out, and the conclusion was starter.

I shopped the part locally but found that it was unavailable in the area. After some searching online, i ended up purchasing one from MAperformance. Fast forward to today, after 2 weeks without my Evo; i took the car back to the shop to install the starter which i had recieved yesterday. Once we got the old one off of the car i was shocked at what i found. On a Fidanza flywheel the outer gear edge of the flywheel is screwed on to the aluminum body of the flywheel. The gear portion had totally separated it self from the flywheel and was freespinning and rattling around in the bell housing!!!

How in the hell could this happen? Ive never heard of such a thing. Im going to call Fidanza on Monday and talk to them about it, but right now im just speechless. What do you guy think about this?

Here a pic of a fidanza flywheel for reference:

 

I know on here somewhere, I think its the act thread where it got off topic a little bit and started talking bout fidanza flywheels that a few of the vendors came in.. I remember it was mainly ttp talking bout how sorry and ****** they were!!

 

pics....

 

I dont have any pictures yet because the tranny is still in the car. The steel gear ring on the edge of the flywheel has become separated from the aluminum body of the flywheel. When you try to turn on the car and engage the starter with the flywheel, the gear portion spins freely, rattling around in the bell housing because its not connected to the rest of the flywheel; and thus cannot turn over the motor.

 

Any input appreciated as to what could have caused this.

 

I love when people listen. to you. A smarter man for it.

Anyhow yes we will not work with Fidanza flywheels. They are flawed in many ways, from their recessed flywheel bolt holes which keep the sockets from being able to grip them to the "replaceable contact surface" needing to be sent back the the MFR in order to get it off, to the inner edge of the flywheel contacting the clutch disc rivets, damaging the disc and flywheel, to now the ring gear coming loose?

Epic failure on all accounts.

Best bet is to send it back for refund or when the replacement comes in, sell it cheap and fast and put a reman stocker or ACT unit in.

 

I purchased this flywheel from Buschur Racing. I dont understand why a company like them would continue to carry junk. Its the weekend right now so these places are closed, but ill definatley be making some phone calls Monday.

 

that really sucks, I never ever had a prob with mine.

 

^^^
I suggest you check it out then.

 

dont have it anymore lol sold engine and tranny for stock but with the many track trips the guy who bought it has done, its in perfect working order. Why change something thats working as advertised?

 

Maybe mine was defective? Hopefully this gets resolved when i call Fidanza and Buschur on Monday.

 

I hope they do help ya out, I mean the # of units bought to the # of units gone bad cant be that close. I would totally buy another one of these any day

 

no problems here but i dont remember if my fidanza flywheel have those screws on the outer edge piece. must be a new revision?

 

Im pretty sure they all have them.

 

I copied this from the Buschur Racing website:

The ring gears we use are also made from 1050 steel and are heat treated for durability. The flywheel ring gears are heated then pressed on and secured with grade 8 button screws.