Found some notes on application pros and cons of DUAL Mass flywheels and solid hub disks:
" The dual mass systems are designed to transmit less engine vibration to the driveline, and give a better more car like driving experience. They also reduce some of the jarring and stress on the transmission and remainder of the drivetrain. They work fine as long as the engine remains unmodified and the vehicle is not used/abused beyond manufacturers recommendations.
As soon as you start to increase the engine power over stock, or load the vehicle beyond design parameters, you run into problems. Dual mass flywheels are tuned systems and must be matched to the engine torque curve, engine resonant characteristics, vehicle load curves (including axle ratio/tire size calculations). They work by having a set of springs inserted between two rotating masses (thus dual mass). The springs are sized to soak up some of the resonant vibration from the engine under load conditions. A dual mass fly wheel generally also contains an over torque friction release, so if it gets suddenly overloaded, rather than damage the springs, it slips. This works fine as a safety valve, but if it does it too much it burns up. In short, overloaded they burn up and the springs get destroyed and they are worse than if it were a single mass FW.
The single mass part WILL tend to transmit more engine pulse (vibration) to the drivetrain, and will seem a bit rougher. But it is straight forward to design a single mass flywheel and clutch package for pretty much any engine torque curve and vehicle loading combo you can come up with. Drives more like a TRUCK, but has much better reliability at extreme use levels.
Depending on what you have done to your engine and how you use and load your car, we can supply a single mass flywheel and clutch system properly sized for your car. Ballpark $600 for a mildly massaged engine, more for extreme applications."
Based upon this description, it appears that aggressive driving of the Acura TL is to be avoided lest we begin the destruction of our clutch assemblies.
Drifter,
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I'm in the middle of buying a house right now and have spent $8200 for Escrow fees, inspections, permits and loan application fees. After all that I still do not even have a clear title in my name or an underwrited loan! There is no money to do anything else for now. Have already picked up the Acura disk and cover, waiting for the replacement steel friction surface and pilot bearing to proceed. Did notice that there are no springs in the clutch disk, appears to be solid? Haven't had any problems with the flyweel.... yet. Just need the car running for now, having company visiting in two weeks and need two cars. Not much else I can do for now.
Stephen
