Seriously, do heavy wheels make THAT much of a difference?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Puerto Rico
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seriously, do heavy wheels make THAT much of a difference?
I currently have 20x8.5 and 20x10 TSW Snetterton wheels on my car. The rears weighed 63lbs on my bathroom scale. Falken says my tire weighs 30lbs so that would mean my wheel weighs about 33lbs.
Now...I've been thinking lately about how much of a gain in acceleration would I get if I were to install some TSW Nurburgring wheels ( 19x8.5 and 19x10.5 ) which, from what I read on other forums, weigh about 23lbs. The same falken tire on the 19 wheel would weigh 28lbs. This would make it a total of 51lbs which is 12lbs less than what I have now.
Would those 12lbs be worth it considering that even if I sell my current wheels I'd still lose about $500-$800?
Now...I've been thinking lately about how much of a gain in acceleration would I get if I were to install some TSW Nurburgring wheels ( 19x8.5 and 19x10.5 ) which, from what I read on other forums, weigh about 23lbs. The same falken tire on the 19 wheel would weigh 28lbs. This would make it a total of 51lbs which is 12lbs less than what I have now.
Would those 12lbs be worth it considering that even if I sell my current wheels I'd still lose about $500-$800?
#7
Sleeps in 350Z
iTrader: (5)
If you drag race or track otherwise check out the MB motoring wheels. They have several lightweight and inexpensive wheels... "weapn, battle, competetion" to name a few.
Now if you just want a lighter street wheel, but want the look of a larger wheel, then you'll have to spend a bit more. The Enkei RPF1 comes in 19" applications and is very lightweight. One of the least expensive in it's category.
Now if you just want a lighter street wheel, but want the look of a larger wheel, then you'll have to spend a bit more. The Enkei RPF1 comes in 19" applications and is very lightweight. One of the least expensive in it's category.
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
iTrader: (59)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Posts: 8,517
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
on a manual, i felt a big power loss with just run flat tires (they are heavy). You can tell big time when getting heavier wheels. On an auto, i felt like it wasn't too bad though.
#10
New Member
iTrader: (2)
I've felt a difference on my Integra going from a 22 lb wheel to a 16 lb wheel, ever since weight in the wheels has been a huge consideration. Given your power levels will more than likely help to mask the losses I beleive the question is whether you really want to optimize the setup. If so, go lighter, 48+ lbs at that point on the car will make some difference. If you're more into the looks of the car stay with them... you have good output.
#11
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
My track wheels are heavier than my street wheels and YES i can tell a difference. Thats why i'm waiting for my new track (RPF1) to come in the mail.
#14
New Member
iTrader: (41)
i try to balance it out looks and performance.
i really do think 19's are great fit for the 350z, 20's are getting too big imho unless you have some crazy widebody setup or if you just wanna be hellgh3y errr i mean flush. just make sure you get a set that is light weight like the RPF1's, Volk TE/CE's, and not sure which ones but i know advan makes some light weight 19's as well.
i really do think 19's are great fit for the 350z, 20's are getting too big imho unless you have some crazy widebody setup or if you just wanna be hellgh3y errr i mean flush. just make sure you get a set that is light weight like the RPF1's, Volk TE/CE's, and not sure which ones but i know advan makes some light weight 19's as well.
#15
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
I'll be there. Looking forward to the last race of the year, then i get to tear the motor out and the fun begins.
#16
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
#17
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Puerto Rico
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't taken my car to the track with my setup.
Has anyone actually TESTED light vs. heavy wheels on a dyno or on the track? I've searched around but can't find anything concrete. Just people saying it FEELS better...like intakes do...lol.
Has anyone actually TESTED light vs. heavy wheels on a dyno or on the track? I've searched around but can't find anything concrete. Just people saying it FEELS better...like intakes do...lol.
Last edited by GT-ER; 09-13-2010 at 02:12 PM.
#19
New Member
iTrader: (13)
People with several sets of wheels that swap them out on a weekly basis can attest to the benefits of wheels on a diet.
I have a boosted 07' Si that was dynoed back in 07'- IIRC I lost about 8~9 whp switching from lightweight 14 lb 17s to heavier 23lb Work VS-SS 18s. It wasn't peak, it was throughout the bandwidth. Torque curve was affected as well.
Heavy wheels also adversely affects suspension not just power. There's a Turbo or Superstreet article floating around somewhere.
Edit: Several articles out there on this topic.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...sted-tech_dept
http://www.carcraft.com/projectbuild...son/index.html
Last edited by mr. sparco; 09-13-2010 at 03:28 PM.
#20
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Puerto Rico
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
+1
People with several sets of wheels that swap them out on a weekly basis can attest to the benefits of wheels on a diet.
I have a boosted 07' Si that was dynoed back in 07'- IIRC I lost about 8~9 whp switching from lightweight 14 lb 17s to heavier 23lb Work VS-SS 18s. It wasn't peak, it was throughout the bandwidth. Torque curve was affected as well.
Heavy wheels also adversely affects suspension not just power. There's a Turbo or Superstreet article floating around somewhere.
Edit: Several articles out there on this topic.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...sted-tech_dept
http://www.carcraft.com/projectbuild...son/index.html
People with several sets of wheels that swap them out on a weekly basis can attest to the benefits of wheels on a diet.
I have a boosted 07' Si that was dynoed back in 07'- IIRC I lost about 8~9 whp switching from lightweight 14 lb 17s to heavier 23lb Work VS-SS 18s. It wasn't peak, it was throughout the bandwidth. Torque curve was affected as well.
Heavy wheels also adversely affects suspension not just power. There's a Turbo or Superstreet article floating around somewhere.
Edit: Several articles out there on this topic.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...sted-tech_dept
http://www.carcraft.com/projectbuild...son/index.html
The Chevelle had 15lbs removed from each rear wheels and a whopping 27lbs removed from each front wheel and it only did .1@1mph better.
Not exactly what I was hoping for. I'm still thinking about it though.
It's either this or the 928M impeller for my Vortech.