Is there a difference between a flywheel on a manuel v6 vs a automatic?

I'm going to say yes for two reason's. One they have different names, on an auto it's called a flexplate. I don't think they'd rename it just for fun. Even if that guess is flawed, which it could be, a more logical reasoning that they are different would be that on stick, the clutch and grab, and realease. On an automatic trans, the torque converter is actually bolted, so nothing ever needs to slip on it. For that reason, I would say they are different.

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AIM= Fish100770
96 Saturn SL2 Turbo (evil SL2)

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Its called a flywheel on a manual car. It has a thick friction surface. Notice on this picture: (This is a flywheel) These usally way 14-30lbs on cars.

Its called a flexplate on an automatic car. A flexplate doesn't undergo constant 'grabbing' and letting go of it (the clutch) Its a much thinner circular disc that connects the crankshaft of the engine to the torque converter of the trans. These usually way 2-5 lbs on cars.

As stated previously, they are totally different animals. The only similarity is that they both provide a ring gear for the starter to engage when starting the engine and they both bolt to the engine crankshaft. The fly wheel actually acts as part of the clutch assembly providing one of the friction surfaces that the clutch disc is sandwiched between. The automatic flexplate is essentially an adapter plate that mates the torque convertor to the engine crankshaft.
The term flywheel is a throw-back to the early days of the internal combustion engine when the flywheel was a rotating mass that stored energy between power strokes. To some extent it still does that, a heavy flywheel helps an car get moving from a standing start easier, but slows down how fast the engine can build RPMs once moving. Once moving a lighter flywheel is a better choice.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch3.htm

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter2.htm

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RickN
White 88GT 5spd
White 85GT Auto

[This message has been edited by RickN (edited 09-02-2005).]

In the manual trans... it is still a flywheel. The mass serves the same purpose to smooth out crank vibration and clutch engagement.

The automatic's "flex plate" is just a very light stamped sheet metal part. It may or may not have a ring gear. (The ring is part of the torque convertor in many setups) The "flex plate" can be light because the TC is rather heavy and will do the same thing for the auto that the flywheel does for a manual.

For some types of racing you may want a real light "flywheel" but in daily driving this is one part or set of parts where you realy want the mass.

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