Three Piece Wheels

[n15m0]

Hi,

Just want to get an opinion from those in the know. Whats the big deal with three piece wheels anyways? Or two piece for that matter? how are they better compared to one piece wheels tht can be bought at wheel shops in oz??

Cheers

Jon

[51jay]

1 piece wheels are usually cast and usually heavy but probably better for all round on road use.

The 2 and 3 piece wheels are usually much better quality, forged and much lighter ie my 18x 9 Weds Sports Racing wheels with 265 35 tyres are lighter than the stock 16x6 with 205 55.

[nmcmahon83]

Forged = stronger + lighter than cast.

[djr81]

Hi,

Just want to get an opinion from those in the know.  Whats the big deal with three piece wheels anyways? Or two piece for that matter?  how are they better compared to one piece wheels tht can be bought at wheel shops in oz??

Cheers

Jon

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A two piece rim is as good as a three piece, so don't get too hung up about it. A three piece allows the manufacturer to vary the rim offset& width without having to utilise a heap of different production options.

A two piece will usually be lighter than a one piece, because the transition from the centre section to the outer section is not dictated by casting considerations. One of the key criteria (for me anyway) when buying rims is their weight. The lighter the wheel - the lower your unsprung mass which is all to the good. You will find much of what is sold in the local tyre shops is ex China & some of them (Not all!) can be quite heavy. As with most things - you get what you pay for.

[Munna]

I always wanted to know that too. What arre the advantages of lighter rims?

[GunMetalR33]

I always wanted to know that too. What arre the advantages of lighter rims?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lighter rims would spin up easier, same principal as a lightened flywheel, something to do with inertia (spelling????)

[Munna]

So I guess lighter rims would increase your acceleration. Can anyone who has gone from heavy to light rims comment of whether they noticed any difference?

cheers

[djr81]

I always wanted to know that too. What arre the advantages of lighter rims?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Put simply, the main advantage from lighter wheels is a lower unsprung mass. The job of the springs/dampers/roll bars is to keep the wheel/tyre on the road surface. Obviously the lighter the wheel/tyre combination the less work the suspension has to do to keep them on the road. End result: more grip.

A secondary benefit is that it can reduce the vehicle mass as a whole. A light set of 17's can be up to 10kg lighter than an equivalent set of 19 or 20 inch rims.

[MacGuyver]

I always thought that 2 and 3 piece wheels weren't as strong as say a forged single piece rim. I have forged Buddy Club P1's which are pretty light and tough as! Aren't say 2 piece rims composed of an interior piece welded on to the outer part of the rim? I'll bet it isn't easy to fix 2 or 3 piece rims, depending on the type of damage you have of course. 2 and 3 piece are much lighter but also usually more expensive!

"Games don't affect people. If Pacman affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms munching on pills and listening to repetitive music."

[djr81]

I always thought that 2 and 3 piece wheels weren't as strong as say a forged single piece rim. I have forged Buddy Club P1's which are pretty light and tough as! Aren't say 2 piece rims composed of an interior piece welded on to the outer part of the rim? I'll bet it isn't easy to fix 2 or 3 piece rims, depending on the type of damage you have of course. 2 and 3 piece are much lighter but also usually more expensive!

"Games don't affect people. If Pacman affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms munching on pills and listening to repetitive music."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

2 piece rims have the centre section bolted to the outer, not welded. I have had mine repaired, you just have to unbolt the outer section first.

[inissane]

definately can feel the difference between light 15" on the rear and heavier 17" on the rear

accelerates a bit quicker like someone else said like a lightened flywheel concept