I would like to think I know a few things about a few things but when it comes to tranny's I am a little lacking on the knowlege, especially manual tranny's. Like what is a flexplate and what is a flywheel? Well from what I have read the majority is that a flexplate is a "type" of flywheel who's function depends on the type of tranny it goes with. Clutches and Manual Transmissions...I was a bit lost on this one but I think I have a better handle on how they work and what makes them work. I wanted to learn as much as I could for my future 5 speed swap. If you try to do work on a car without some kind of research you are not a mechanic, you are just a monkey with a wrench. Knowlege is power, so happy reading or (reasearch), Mike H. (thxone)

Here are some links to some sites that explain the workings of the common clutch and manual tranny. There are some nice interactive sections to further your visual understanding of the components.

http://www.procarcare.com/icarumba/r...manualtran.asp

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

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

 

A flex plate is what the flywheel is called on an automatic transmission. Its what the starter engages (just like a flywheel) and it's what the torque converter bolts to, effectively joining the transmission input shaft with the crankshaft of the engine, also just like a flywheel and clutch. A flex plate is not as heavy duty as a flywheel though as it doesn't have to incorporate any friction material for a clutch to grab and it doesn't really have to disipate much heat either. So basically a flex plate IS a flywheel, it just doesnt have a clutch. Just like a flywheel doesnt have a torque converter.