Flexplate proves to be one of the most durable parts in vehicle, but you may neglect it until it fails. In fact, flexplate, which is a round disc bolted between crankshaft and torque converter, turns out to be vital and essential for racing vehicle. Flexplate can transfer torque rearward from crankshaft to converter. Besides, flexplate is the contact point for starter to rotate the engine when engine starts. Repeated use of flexplate requires unbelievable durability and strength, as well as high level of precision.
Currently, lots of entities are producing flexplates for racing vehicles. Despite they all hold different viewpoints toward how to manufacture the best flexplate, they all aim to increase safety of racer and spectator, reduce missed rounds because of teeth sheared off the ring gear and have flexplate rotate itself apart at high engine speed.
In this blog, we ZNDmotor will introduce fundamental flexplate functions, look into the latest advancements and compare three main kinds of flexplate on market. We ZNDmotor will also help you and racer to decide which kind of flexplate could be the most appropriate for you.
Flexplate basics
Flexplate is a metal disc bolted between crankshaft and torque converter, with a ring gear engaged by starter to rotate the engine when cranking. Considerable strength and precision are necessary, but a good flexplate needs far more than that. For starter, gears on outer edge of flexplate should be strong enough to bear modern 16V starter, and extra pressure of rotating on ultra-high compression engine utilized in many modern applications. In the meanwhile, gears should be exact pitch and profile to properly mesh with starter pinion to ensure proper and reliable cranking. Despite not every vehicle features 16V or high compression, flexplate should be designed for the most extreme conditions.
The other assignment for flexplate is connecting crankshaft with torque converter. For some particular tuning vehicles which have almost 4000 horsepower, you may find this tiny and relatively thin plate of metal can endure so much stress. And then please think about the number of times racing vehicle’s flexplate needs to operate in a season, you can find flexplate is a real workhorse part which deserves more credit than it has received.
Would like to know more about flexplate for racing vehicle? Please see our next blog !!!