Heavy Rims

[and3_3]

Hey all,

I've got some to my experience with rims some very heavy ones, the advanti 3 spoke ones. My question is do heavy rims make a big impact on handling performance and straight line speed?

Cheers guys

[nisskid]

yes, added unsprung weight and rotational inertia will effect your performance of ur suspension, acceleration, and braking.

big? depends on ur definition, id certainly focus on a lot of other things before i spent big $$ of ultra-lightweight wheels, but i would stay away from heavy wheels.

personally i look for a strong rigid wheel which is relatively light, when u buy a heavy wheel they are often not only heavy but weak.

[zZzDanzZz]

yep, just because they're heavier doesn't mean theyre stronger.

plus you NEVER see race cars with dinner plates on them for a reason

[GTS4WD]

Weight is also relational to size. Stick to a smaller 16 or 17 inch rim. It is possible to find fairly light wheels in these sizes at a decent price.

And as above. Yes. Pretty big impact.

Again, lightweight attractive wheels in a good sieze = $$$$. Best go a smaller rim, thats not heavy but not "light" and spend the money elsewhere to make up for the additional unsprung weight

[djr81]

Hey all,

I've got some to my experience with rims some very heavy ones, the advanti 3 spoke ones. My question is do heavy rims make a big impact on handling performance and straight line speed?

Cheers guys

Handling? Yes.

Straight line speed? No.

The way to understand it is pretty straight forward. You may think the springs in your suspension hold the car up off the ground. But what they actually do is hold (Push if you like) the wheels onto the road. The heavier the wheel is the less capable the suspension will be of maintaining an even amount of force on the road after the wheel hits a bump. That is why (Simplistically anyway) a bad set of wheels can disrupt the handling of a car.

[nisskid]

rotational inertia will effect acceleration.

as far as going a smaller diametre wheel, in theory yes, but its good to remember other things such as sidewall flex etc

[Medium Dave]

A few years ago i was reading a magazine (Wish I could remember which one now for reference) where they took a stock evo and gave it to a professional driver who posted some very consistent times around a track. Then the put some very expensive lightweight wheels on (same tires) which he then took out for a few laps - the result, only a few 10th's of a second quicker.

Oh, and as for the increase in sidewall issue, take into consideration a formula 1 car tire - massive sidewall...

Edit: Sorry, I re-read my post and thought it sounds a bit arrogant - just trying to back up the idea that they will make a difference, but not a big one, not trying to start an argument

Edited January 16, 2009 by Medium Dave

[Liquidity]

heavier rims will affect acceleration. think of it as rotating mass connected to the engine. More mass = more work.

F1 car tyres are nothing like street tyres, they are custom made items for the series.

Edited January 16, 2009 by Liquidity

[nisskid]

A few years ago i was reading a magazine (Wish I could remember which one now for reference) where they took a stock evo and gave it to a professional driver who posted some very consistent times around a track. Then the put some very expensive lightweight wheels on (same tires) which he then took out for a few laps - the result, only a few 10th's of a second quicker.

Oh, and as for the increase in sidewall issue, take into consideration a formula 1 car tire - massive sidewall...

Edit: Sorry, I re-read my post and thought it sounds a bit arrogant - just trying to back up the idea that they will make a difference, but not a big one, not trying to start an argument

lol F1 tyres are a tad different to street tyres mate.

[scathing]

A few years ago i was reading a magazine (Wish I could remember which one now for reference) where they took a stock evo and gave it to a professional driver who posted some very consistent times around a track. Then the put some very expensive lightweight wheels on (same tires) which he then took out for a few laps - the result, only a few 10th's of a second quicker.

What wheels before and after?

If I remember correctly Evos come stock with either Enkeis or BBS rims. Both of which tend to be reasonably light and strong already. So going "lighter", unless you managed to score magnesium or carbon fibre rims, isn't going to be as big a gain as with the same-as-a-Maxima cast wheels (or pig iron Tempe Tyres nuggets).

Any single mod that can pull a few tenths is still a good gain. In a car that's already reasonably well designed, you'll only find a little time per mod.

As an aside there's more to wheel performance than just weight. Rigidity can make as much of a difference. Have a read of this.

[Roy]

Ok, cant say much about handling because it was on the street so dont throw it around....but acceleration in my car was far worse when i had my 18" cast Lenso wheels (13kg each) on compared to my 17" forged Weds (6.7kgs each)

The difference in acceleration was dramatic, the 18" Lensos lasted about 3 months and then i sold them as even for street rims i didnt like how doughy my already compromised car felt

[br3ndan]

i would have to agree with all of the above ... light weight rims do make a difference..

im running p1 buddy club racing rims.. which are about 6.XX kg per rim. 17 inch tho...

i think it would be best if u look @ these kind of rims if your more on the performance side then the cosmetic side.

i feel that there is no need to go above 17inch rims for performance side of thing...

17 inch rims still can fit nice brakes behind them...

[and3_3]

Awesome, time for some new lightweight rims then!

[rev210]

Volk GTP's 17x9.5 on my gtr are lighter compared to the stock 16x7 r33 gtst rims with stock tyres. The GTP's are among the lightest of the forged rims.

[nisskid]

Volk GTP's 17x9.5 on my gtr are lighter compared to the stock 16x7 r33 gtst rims with stock tyres. The GTP's are among the lightest of the forged rims.

not really, they are very light (ive had a set myself), but not amongst the lightest.