Is a lightened crankshaft worth it?

[1fastII]

I have a stock 2.5 crank for my 2.5 build, but I was wondering if it was worth it to spend more money for a Race Engineering lightened crank? Does it help the engine last longer, rev faster, stronger overall?

[Gator]

IMO, unless yer running everything else super light-weight ( pistons, rods, flywheel etc...etc..the money is better spent elsewhere.

[svobrown]

I spent the money on the flywheel and drive shaft. As long as the crank is blanced it will last a long time. Puting 400 hp on a lighter crank shaft. Makes me think stronger is better. Might clean the rough spots off the crank if it is like the stock crank. oil would slide off and spin freely. Less drag.

The dirt track cars will make it as light as they can. fast rev, more power. Only last a few races before they put new bearings in it.

How much weight can be saved. and price. then take the 4 hp per pound (i think)and see what you get out of it.

[Raven855]

It is pretty easy for them to take about 5lbs off the 2.5 crank. Stock 2.5 is around 38lbs and w/ 5lbs off to 33lbs so it's now the same weight as the 2.3. Is it worth it? I'm with everybody else, save your money and spend it on the driveshaft and flywheel. I will say mine is lightened, but I bought it that way.

[Raven855]

Good pics, Mike. I was looking for a set of pics showing the stock 2.5 throws and counterweights vs the 2.3. I got them here somewhere. I would like to know a couple of things on your setup. Did you use the small journal block or the large journal? I as assuming the large journal, did you use the 2.5 caps w/ the bearing inserts or just the inserts? Which paint did your use on the inside of your block. Has it held up well? What did you do on the oil side as far as pump and pickup? Thanks

[Oldham_Racing]

IMO no...my machine shop has a pro 4 car they race (dirt track) and they use a wicked 2.3 (i can't remember how much more they take it). i know they take the toyota 22R crank with small block chevy rods, ect.

well one of the race motors they have, jeff (the driver) cut parts of all the counter weights off the crank to lighten it (then rebalanced it of course). anyways, end result was not enough faster track times for the 30+ hours he had in the crank alone.
That crank broke with in about 3 or 4 races...it only lasted 1 night i know

[1fastII]

Ah, thanks! I'll hold on to this stock crank then!

[luvtolean]

I've used the electric motor winding insulating paint in a couple of V-Ate builds. (Not Glyptal brand, can't remember what it was actually)

I didn't have a problem with it flaking, but I was pretty fastidious in my cleaning.

[Henson]

I have a forged 2.5 in my 2.3 block. No Digital pics. Before cameras were so cheap. I'll dig up the hard copies. The Forged crank was a piece of art though. Shame to cover it all up.

Make sure you double check the mains before you start the build! Happened to me too often. Ready to go and fumbled on 1 yard line.

Mike- I strapped but didn't install a scraper (windage). I was told I wouldn't need if I had a good pan. My Pan is the second best thing on the car, besides the crank. It has nice traps and such. Again, I got to find those hard copies.