Are lighter wheels worth it?
10-24-2005, 11:14 AM
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Are lighter wheels worth it?
I'm not an s2000 owner, but my lotus elise is not fundamentally different so I'm hoping to get some feedback anyways. There seems to be a lot of discussion that lighter wheels may improve off the line acceleration by a few tenth of a second. Mini owners, in particular reported going from 7 sec 0-60 on stock wheels to 6.5 sec with lighter wheels! Theoretically, this seems plausible since less power is required to rotate a lighter wheel. I have even seen whp gains, actual dynos as much as 10whp gain, just from switching to lighter wheels, measured in 1st and 2nd. If this is all correct, I will be definitely getting some lighter wheels. For the record, standard elise wheels weigh about 20lbs, while SSR for example weight 13lbs. Other benefits of lighter wheels may be improved ride quality, less stress on shocks, improved braking and handling, as well as lower unsprung weight. Does anyone care to comment if you noticed an increase in performance after getting lighter wheels?
10-24-2005, 11:18 AM
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Yes there is a significant performance increase. Not on the S2K, but when driving my CRX I drove on my Diamond Racing wheels with Hoosiers and then drove on a set of Panasports; the difference was huge! This was only about a 4-5# difference in wheel weight. Of course you might sacrifice some durability on the wheel (watch out for potholes).
10-24-2005, 11:42 AM
#4
I've been running Volk LE28s/235&275-17s with full tread RA-1s. I switch over to the Regamasters with shaved RA-1s at 225&245-16s. Four pounds a side on the front and 6 pounds per side on the back. I can feel the difference. The lighter setup is quite nimble with quicker suspension actions.
10-24-2005, 02:30 PM
#7
Originally Posted by turboelise,Oct 24 2005, 11:14 AM
...I have even seen whp gains, actual dynos as much as 10whp gain, just from switching to lighter wheels, measured in 1st and 2nd. If this is all correct, I will be definitely getting some lighter wheels. For the record, standard elise wheels weigh about 20lbs, while SSR for example weight 13lbs. Other benefits of lighter wheels may be improved ride quality, less stress on shocks...
I just don't get it?
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10-24-2005, 02:44 PM
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My sienna came with run-flats. I'm looking to get new tires and the run-flats weigh 10-11 lbs more per tire.
Car makers will claim to save 40 lbs by not including a spare tire + jack. the difference is the run-flats add to rotational mass and un-sprung weight. Plus they ride harsh. I'm surprised and dismayed to see BMWs, Corvettes etc.. going over to run-flats.
I'm going with non-run-flats for replacements.
Car makers will claim to save 40 lbs by not including a spare tire + jack. the difference is the run-flats add to rotational mass and un-sprung weight. Plus they ride harsh. I'm surprised and dismayed to see BMWs, Corvettes etc.. going over to run-flats.
I'm going with non-run-flats for replacements.
10-24-2005, 02:52 PM
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Lighter tire/wheel package is easier for your shocks/springs to control and keep in contact with the pavement, thus on a bumpy surface, you will spend more time with your tire working. For acceleration, it's just like having a lighter flywheel.