Difference in going with lighter wheels?
09-22-2010, 06:53 AM
#1
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Difference in going with lighter wheels?
My impression of people who upgrade their S2000 wheels is that most people do it for aesthetic purposes. My question is for those who went with a lighter, forged wheel set is "Can you feel the lightness of the wheel?".
Stock AP2 wheels are 17.6/20.5 pounds F/R. A set of (very expensive) forged Volks in similar sizes is about 14lb all around. So for about $2500 (minus what you'd get for selling stock wheels) you could save about 20lb total of rotating mass. How much of a difference does that really make? I assume you can feel this, but is the difference major or slight?
Right now I drive a laguna blue 2007 car. Overall I love it, I just feel like the acceleration response is a tad sluggish. I realize the flywheel is ridiculously heavy at 22lb - and I would like to change that at sometime in the future - but I'm also looking at different wheels.
I'm considering a set of white, 17" forged wheels. I could save a little weight and they would look better, but I'm not convinced they are worth the prices I've seen. I use my car for spirited daily driving.
Thoughts?
Stock AP2 wheels are 17.6/20.5 pounds F/R. A set of (very expensive) forged Volks in similar sizes is about 14lb all around. So for about $2500 (minus what you'd get for selling stock wheels) you could save about 20lb total of rotating mass. How much of a difference does that really make? I assume you can feel this, but is the difference major or slight?
Right now I drive a laguna blue 2007 car. Overall I love it, I just feel like the acceleration response is a tad sluggish. I realize the flywheel is ridiculously heavy at 22lb - and I would like to change that at sometime in the future - but I'm also looking at different wheels.
I'm considering a set of white, 17" forged wheels. I could save a little weight and they would look better, but I'm not convinced they are worth the prices I've seen. I use my car for spirited daily driving.
Thoughts?
09-22-2010, 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by deepbluejh,Sep 22 2010, 02:53 PM
My impression of people who upgrade their S2000 wheels is that most people do it for aesthetic purposes. My question is for those who went with a lighter, forged wheel set is "Can you feel the lightness of the wheel?".
Stock AP2 wheels are 17.6/20.5 pounds F/R. A set of (very expensive) forged Volks in similar sizes is about 14lb all around. So for about $2500 (minus what you'd get for selling stock wheels) you could save about 20lb total of rotating mass. How much of a difference does that really make? I assume you can feel this, but is the difference major or slight?
Right now I drive a laguna blue 2007 car. Overall I love it, I just feel like the acceleration response is a tad sluggish. I realize the flywheel is ridiculously heavy at 22lb - and I would like to change that at sometime in the future - but I'm also looking at different wheels.
I'm considering a set of white, 17" forged wheels. I could save a little weight and they would look better, but I'm not convinced they are worth the prices I've seen. I use my car for spirited daily driving.
Thoughts?
Stock AP2 wheels are 17.6/20.5 pounds F/R. A set of (very expensive) forged Volks in similar sizes is about 14lb all around. So for about $2500 (minus what you'd get for selling stock wheels) you could save about 20lb total of rotating mass. How much of a difference does that really make? I assume you can feel this, but is the difference major or slight?
Right now I drive a laguna blue 2007 car. Overall I love it, I just feel like the acceleration response is a tad sluggish. I realize the flywheel is ridiculously heavy at 22lb - and I would like to change that at sometime in the future - but I'm also looking at different wheels.
I'm considering a set of white, 17" forged wheels. I could save a little weight and they would look better, but I'm not convinced they are worth the prices I've seen. I use my car for spirited daily driving.
Thoughts?
09-22-2010, 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted by deepbluejh,Sep 22 2010, 03:24 PM
Wow, so knocking 6lbs off each corner isn't noticeable?
Racing Hart CP035 :14.4lbs (17x8.5) and 14.6lbs(17x9.5)
No idea why I can't notice the difference in the S as I used to run 8lb wheels on my Miata and definitely noticed compared to stock.
09-22-2010, 07:36 AM
#5
I went from stock AP2V1 to Volk RE30 17x9, and didn't really notice a difference. The weight was not a main issue with me; the goals were for a very strong wheel and going to a non-staggered setup running 245/40 all around.
IMO, it's not worth upgrading wheels if you're trying to shave weight. It is not noticeable. Now, going to a non-staggered setup does make it worth it
Plus, the ability to fit bigger brakes!
IMO, it's not worth upgrading wheels if you're trying to shave weight. It is not noticeable. Now, going to a non-staggered setup does make it worth it
Plus, the ability to fit bigger brakes!
09-22-2010, 07:38 AM
#6
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Originally Posted by punchdrunk,Sep 22 2010, 07:32 AM
AP2 :17.6lbs (17x7) and 20.5lbs (17x8.5)
Racing Hart CP035 :14.4lbs (17x8.5) and 15.2lbs(17x9.5)
No idea why I can't notice the difference in the S as I used to run 8lb wheels on my Miata and definitely noticed compared to stock.
Racing Hart CP035 :14.4lbs (17x8.5) and 15.2lbs(17x9.5)
No idea why I can't notice the difference in the S as I used to run 8lb wheels on my Miata and definitely noticed compared to stock.
09-22-2010, 07:40 AM
#7
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Originally Posted by spdracerut,Sep 22 2010, 07:36 AM
I went from stock AP2V1 to Volk RE30 17x9, and didn't really notice a difference. The weight was not a main issue with me; the goals were for a very strong wheel and going to a non-staggered setup running 245/40 all around.
IMO, it's not worth upgrading wheels if you're trying to shave weight. It is not noticeable. Now, going to a non-staggered setup does make it worth it Plus, the ability to fit bigger brakes!
IMO, it's not worth upgrading wheels if you're trying to shave weight. It is not noticeable. Now, going to a non-staggered setup does make it worth it
Plus, the ability to fit bigger brakes!Won't this mess with the handling dynamics of the car? My impression was that a wider than stock front tire will make the car more prone to oversteer.
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09-22-2010, 07:43 AM
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Originally Posted by deepbluejh,Sep 22 2010, 03:38 PM
I'm guessing since you are running larger than stock wheels (I assumed stock), then you are also running larger than stock tires. This would all but negate any weight savings from the wheels.
09-22-2010, 07:48 AM
#9
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Stock 17 to aftermarket 17's, you will probably not feel much of a difference. I had stock 16 --> 18 --> 17's and 17's feel the best and much different than the 18's even though they weren't much heavier. Lighter brakes made a difference in feel however.
09-22-2010, 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by TrackStar,Sep 22 2010, 07:48 AM
Stock 17 to aftermarket 17's, you will probably not feel much of a difference. I had stock 16 --> 18 --> 17's and 17's feel the best and much different than the 18's even though they weren't much heavier. Lighter brakes made a difference in feel however.