What difference do wheels make in acceleration?
For 18s they are light and weigh less than stock baby! 
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Originally Posted by Project22a,Mar 18 2006, 02:08 PM
For every 1lb you add in weight to your wheels, you effectively add 8lbs in unsprung/static weight. For example, if 1lb was added to each of the four corners of your car, it's like adding an extra 32lbs. And this isn't even putting into account rotational mass yet (when upgrading to larger diameter wheels), where the weight effect rises exponentially.
Probably more than you guys wanted to know, but it's never a bad to get a quick physics refresher.
Probably more than you guys wanted to know, but it's never a bad to get a quick physics refresher.
On the rotational energy issue. It would seem that tire weight would have even more effect since all of tire weight is beyond the perimeter of the wheel. Could you or someone do a calculation that would show the effect of 5 extra pounds at the wheel radius would have on acceleration?
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From: Tucson, AZ USA
Just FYI, most tires are heavier than the wheels they are mounted on. If you replace 16" wheels with lighter 17" wheels (assuming you keep the same width/OD tire) you should see better performance.
Afterall, there is a reason every racecar that weighs >2700 lbs uses 17" or larger wheels. A major one is to clear large brakes but that's not the only one. Don't forget sidewall flex can lead to a squirmy feeling in transitions as well as excessive tire roll. This will require a lot of negative camber to compensate.
Afterall, there is a reason every racecar that weighs >2700 lbs uses 17" or larger wheels. A major one is to clear large brakes but that's not the only one. Don't forget sidewall flex can lead to a squirmy feeling in transitions as well as excessive tire roll. This will require a lot of negative camber to compensate.
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From: Bamberg, Germany
Originally Posted by RobZ,Mar 19 2006, 01:09 PM
Just FYI, most tires are heavier than the wheels they are mounted on. If you replace 16" wheels with lighter 17" wheels (assuming you keep the same width/OD tire) you should see better performance.
Afterall, there is a reason every racecar that weighs >2700 lbs uses 17" or larger wheels. A major one is to clear large brakes but that's not the only one. Don't forget sidewall flex can lead to a squirmy feeling in transitions as well as excessive tire roll. This will require a lot of negative camber to compensate.
Afterall, there is a reason every racecar that weighs >2700 lbs uses 17" or larger wheels. A major one is to clear large brakes but that's not the only one. Don't forget sidewall flex can lead to a squirmy feeling in transitions as well as excessive tire roll. This will require a lot of negative camber to compensate.
As for picking up a set of Spoon's.... you will have to go the used route because they aren't making them anymore
. You can expect to pay $350-$450 a rim depending on condition and whether they come with tires.
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Originally Posted by 1Ferris,Mar 19 2006, 01:27 PM
I would also guess that they are making quite a bit more power than the S and can afford the extra rotational mass. Whereas with 140-160 torque we need to be a bit more choosy.
As for picking up a set of Spoon's.... you will have to go the used route because they aren't making them anymore . You can expect to pay $350-$450 a rim depending on condition and whether they come with tires.
As for picking up a set of Spoon's.... you will have to go the used route because they aren't making them anymore
. You can expect to pay $350-$450 a rim depending on condition and whether they come with tires.I guess thats what happens when rare parts get discontinued. The mugen wheels go for 4000-4500 bucks now in days when they were 2800 brand new. I cant wait to find out how going from 18 to 16's is going to be.
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Originally Posted by Emil St-Hilaire,Mar 19 2006, 02:25 PM
Did you know,that F-1 racers use 13"rims???
I also said that racecars over 2700 lbs use 17" or larger. F1 cars are MUCH LESS than 2700lbs so my statement is correct. Besides, the FIA regulatations require 13" wheels to limit the brake size so they have no choice.
