well I was snooping around in the top 100 questions and found out that my rims are (17" oem base) 5 lb heavier than the stock track rims. If I were to found a good deal on a set of track rims, how much difference would that make? performance wise + turning/handling wise? 5 lb seems a lot IMO and I hope it's not wrong to assume my handling will get better as well due to light wheel....

17" base rims F: 17x7.5 = 23.26 lbs and R: 17x8.0 = 24.140 lbs
18" track rims F: 18x8.0 = 18.1 lbs and R: 18x8.5 = 18.62 lbs

 

5 lbs isnt really enough to make a difference u could feel.

 

I would say 5lbs on wheels would make a huge difference.

 

Correct. In terms of shaving off weight from rotational mass and inertia; it will make a signficant difference in acceleration. This concept applies not just to wheels but as a whole in vehicle dynamics. The theory is that for every 1 pound you shave off rotational mass, you gain a horsepower.

 

A total of 20lbs of weight savings=very noticeable difference.

 

o 5 lbs per wheel. yeah then 20 lbs would make a good difference on the wheels.

 

very noticeable difference

 

i think that every 5 lbs on the wheel you lose 1 hp

 

A pretty big difference.

 

the wheels are heavier, but so are the tires...so I'd bet the difference is less than 5 lbs, if different at all

 

??? if the wheels are heavier and the tires are heavier , the difference would be even more. Probably closer to 7 or 8 pounds per wheel and tire.

 

No, the 17" wheels are heavier then the 18" wheels. However, 18" tires are heavier then 17" tires.

 

Barely. I just looked up the OEM RE40 17s and 18s: only the 18'' 245/45 weighs 2 lbs more than the 17'' tire. That is assuming he picked up his track wheels with OEM Potenzas.

My suggestion would be to go with Pilot Sport 1s. Very light weight tire (5-7lbs lighter than Potenzas), with great performance.

 

I never said the difference was equal, I was just agreeing with Adam that the difference in weight between the 17's and 18's will be less once tires are factored in. Assuming same tire model on both wheels, of course.

If you want to get really technical, you also need to factor in that an 18" wheel will place more weight farther from the hub, which is undesireable.

 

I wasn't slighting you, just stating what the difference is.

Edit: For whatever it's worth, I felt a huge difference in acceleration after my Dunlop WinterSport's came off months ago. Same difference I felt when my OEM Potenzas were swapped for PS1s.

 

Not if you get the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's. PS2s in even 19s STILL weight LESS than stock Potenzas in 17s

 

Having owned two sets of OEM 17" rims and a set of OEM 18" track rims, I can tell you that there's a huge difference. The track rims are much lighter -- I can feel the diffence on the street, and on the track (autocross & road course).

 

Well, not necessarily . . . my OEM 18" track setup is much lighter than my previous OEM 17" setup.

18" track rims + 18" Toyo RA-1s (245/40) < 17" stock rims + Hankook Z211(275/40)

So, it all depends on the size and tire brand.

 

on a N/A car you will notice a difference.

 

Every pound makes difference.