How much difference do 22 lb wheels make?
05-29-2005 | 06:15 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Cape Girardeau
How much difference do 22 lb wheels make?
Let say your stock 16" wheels are 16.5 lbs, and the stock tires are 22 lbs, so you're looking at a 38.5 lb weight per corner. You decide to add 18" wheels, but they're 22 lbs each, and the tires are 1 lb heavier at each corner as well, which gives you a 45 lb weight at each corner. My question is; is it possible to calculate how much acceleration is lost by this 6.5 lb weight addition at each corner?
05-30-2005 | 10:30 PM
#3
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,030
Likes: 21
From: South of the pier, Huntington Beach, CA
I've been using 1 lb unsprung weight impacts the performance like 6.5 lbs sprung weight.
In your situation, 26 lbs unsprung would be like having a 169lb passenger in the car or about 0.3 seconds slower in the quarter mile.
When I change between factory wheels and tires and a race set at 26 lb lighter, I can feel the difference in response.
Going with the heavier wheels and tires will certainly slow you down and increase your cost of maintenance with more expensive tires, potholes and so on.
The hot ticket is the Volk line in 7.5/17 +50 and 9.0/17 +63 to +65
Let us know what you end up doing.
In your situation, 26 lbs unsprung would be like having a 169lb passenger in the car or about 0.3 seconds slower in the quarter mile.
When I change between factory wheels and tires and a race set at 26 lb lighter, I can feel the difference in response.
Going with the heavier wheels and tires will certainly slow you down and increase your cost of maintenance with more expensive tires, potholes and so on.
The hot ticket is the Volk line in 7.5/17 +50 and 9.0/17 +63 to +65
Let us know what you end up doing.
05-31-2005 | 06:05 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Cape Girardeau
Thanks for the info guys. The reason I ask is because this unsprung weight thing comes up from time to time, and I always read a different performance disadvantage number, but continue to see huge wheel/tire combo's on extremely high-performance cars.
I have to believe that if Ferrari wants to gain .2 in the
I have to believe that if Ferrari wants to gain .2 in the
05-31-2005 | 06:27 AM
#6
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,831
Likes: 0
From: Socal
[QUOTE=S2Kguy,May 31 2005, 07:05 AM] Thanks for the info guys. The reason I ask is because this unsprung weight thing comes up from time to time, and I always read a different performance disadvantage number, but continue to see huge wheel/tire combo's on extremely high-performance cars.
I have to believe that if Ferrari wants to gain .2 in the
I have to believe that if Ferrari wants to gain .2 in the
