[acmillr]

Originally Posted by 00SlvrStang a cast crank has to be thicker than a forged or billet crank for strength which is why they are generally heavier. .

Sorry, wrong again. They are the same dimensionally..

[00SlvrStang]

"Crankshafts can be forged from a steel bar or cast in ductile iron. Today more and more manufacturers tend to favor the use of forged crankshafts due to their lighter weight, more compact dimensions and better inherent dampening."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crankshaft#Construction

even though casting produces air pockets they aren't always lighter. if that were the case forged wheels would be heavier than cast wheels correct? i've seen plenty of forged crankshafts from other vehicles and they are usually lighter and smaller than the stock one we pull out. just because the ones you compared with were different doesn't mean they all are.

[acmillr]

You can Wikipedia all you want........ I am a metallurgist by trade. Some forged crankshafts are lighter, but none are less dense than their cast counterparts. So, I guess I should rephrase... Forged cranks are denser than cast cranks. Given that most forged crankshafts are dimensionally the same as the same cast crank- My point still stands.

[00SlvrStang]

dimensionally the same yes they could be heavier however a lot of companies make forged crankshafts that are lighter than a cast piece. a lot of times that is the reason you buy forged. i am in the fabrication industry so i know something about metals as well. i'm not just some punk kid that can look shit up on the net. i only used wikipedia as a reference point.

[OcOnnor220]

Im sorry but your WRONG! Dropping any weight WILL help! And rotaional mass dropped will be even more noticable. You accelerate faster, get better gas mileage and handle better, which is noticeable on the street and track driving. The reason you experience better grip out back is due to the added weight over the rear wheels creating the need for more torque to accelerate and cause a loss of traction buts its not gonna make u perform any better, your actually performing worse![/quote]

The reason is that the tires dont slip anymore, I get off the clutch more smoothly from a dead stop and dont wind up with skid marks of dirt on my rear bumper...Keeps my car from nose-diving too much on hard braking also. Gas mileage? If I worried about that Id be driving a V6 with little horsies galloping along my driver door.