Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

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.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/252628-heavy-rims/#findComment-4368845
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/252628-heavy-rims/#findComment-4369014
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/252628-heavy-rims/#findComment-4369648
Share on other sites

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 :D

Edited by Medium Dave
Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/252628-heavy-rims/#findComment-4372152
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/252628-heavy-rims/#findComment-4372743
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/252628-heavy-rims/#findComment-4373243
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/252628-heavy-rims/#findComment-4373270
Share on other sites

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...

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/252628-heavy-rims/#findComment-4373688
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/252628-heavy-rims/#findComment-4389217
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Join SAU NSW for a flame-grilled feed & flame-spitting cruise! Sunday 17th August 2025 3:30PM Meeting Archies Flame Grille Sylvania Waters 4:45PM Cruise Departure 5:15PM Arrival at Cape Solander Kurnell Meet Location: Archies Flame Grille Final Destination: Cape Solander Kurnell *Disclaimer* There will be a lead and follow car so no one should get lost. If you would like to attend or bring others along please put your name down and a +1 as numbers will be needed prior! This is NOT a race and we will all be adhering to all road rules. If this is what you want please come to one of our many track days. This is an official SAU:NSW event and will be run under a CAMS permit. One of the things that really sets our club apart is our commitment to being true enthusiasts. When on normal roads we strive to maintain good relations with the authorities as well as the public in general. When attending one of Skylines Australia NSW events please try to: • Be aware of surrounding environment and act accordingly. • Drive courteously on the state’s roads as a true enthusiast should. • Understand how important it is to maintain the good name of SAU NSW and thus, treat others accordingly. • Any misbehavior will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave.
    • Yeah good luck out there! Will be good to see a mighty GTST going harder than the GTRs
    • i will be there 😁
    • Hello!  i just finished manual swaping my r34 skyline with a r33 rb20de box(RB71C)box  When the car is running it squeaks crazy loud and it was smoking from the gearbox area. The gearbox is fine it was tested. The clutch slave cylinder seems like it doesn't fully releases the clutch. I want to ask if this noise is from the throw out bearing or could it be the clutch assembly or disk att.xFliq87Gzw6kImKBVqDebXkj0fBqymk0JaYeP3_3SlM.mp4
    • A few small updates since the previous post and lessons. I decided to do a little interior light upgrade on the 110. I quite like the iilumo items, even if they're a bit of a premium over other brands. You'll also note the Stedi Fogs, that will go into the S15 fog lights as I needed to match the bulbs since I got the new ones earlier. I hope they fit as the body is quite a bit longer than your normal bulb.  Annoyingly, I managed to trip the fuse, which normally wouldn't be an issue until I located the fuse. I can't say I've ever come across this. I had lucked out that someone nearby had a spare, but oddly enough Toyota dealerships seem to keep this in stock. I ordered some to keep in my stash and as luck would have it, someone else nearby tripped the same fuse so I passed on the favour.  I also did a little service on the 110 ahead of some additional work coming up. It's been annoying that Goleby's stopped carrying this particular HKS filter for the 110, so now I need to keep them on order from Japan. I also took the opportunity to install a bash plate and number plate riser. The plate riser is such a cheap but nice fix to help really tidy up the car. I'm tempted to now also replace my headlights, on this car. Both items were from Project Aero.    I also needed to replace the rear tyres on the 110, and after trying to get it aligned learnt that I need to replace some bushes in the front end, so that's next.  Closing out this update with a nicer picture as always! 
×
×
  • Create New...