How much does the R32 GTR wheel weigh? (16x8 +30)

[steaminhotryce]

I just bought a set of R32 GTR wheels for my car. I've searched everywhere (NICO, other forums, other websites, etc.) but have had no luck. I'd also like to know who the wheels were forged by if not by Nissan.

(I've already asked on the Wheel/Tire/Suspension/Brake forum, but no luck getting an answer there either.

Also, for S14 owners who stumble upon this post, I did a write up on R32/R33 GTR wheel fitment.

Find it here:zerothread?id=265747

Thanks, Skyline owners. I envy you all.

[themadscientist]

moment of inertia is not that important to you is it?

[steaminhotryce]

?

[themadscientist]

I assume if you are interested in the weight it is of some genuine concern to you. The only reason I could think would be because you want minimum resistance to getting the wheel spinning (moment of inertia). A heavier mass is harder to accelerate from a standstill than a lighter one (launch) and also more difficult to slow down (braking). That is why people strive to make wheels as light as possible and why lightweight flywheels make and engine rev quicker.

[steaminhotryce]

You've got half of it. The other half is the way unsprung weight affects the handling/cornering characteristics of a car. Even when choosing the Z32 front calipers to put on, I specifically chose the 26mm aluminum set over the 30mm for the lighter weight in both the calipers and rotors. Knowing the weight of my aluminum pulley and flywheel, I've just got to know the weight of my wheels as well as they are all rotational mass.

After almost a week of driving the car with the new wheels, I feel that accelerating and braking response as well as turn-in cornering has improved. I want to assure that this isn't just a placebo effect by comparing the new wheels with my old S14 SE wheels (18.5lbs).

Madscientist: I'm glad you understand the importance of the question to me and not just giving me the "who cares" response. (I got that response from another member when I posted it on the Wheels/Tire/Brake/Suspension forum) My curiosity just won't let me stay ignorant....

[themadscientist]

I really don't like those "who cares"? responses. I always think "well you care smartass, you took the time to post a dumbass comment now didn't you"! I will not say who I think said it in the other thread. I will look and if I am right I will reward myself with a tasty hostess treat. If not I will punish myself mercilessly, then enjoy a tasty hostess treat.

[themadscientist]

Looks like I get a twinkie sans pain. Why am I not surprised? I just looked at one of mine, no subcontract manufacturer name. Enkei does a lot of forged wheels for the OEMs but they usually cast their name into them. GT-R wheels just say "forged" and "Nissan" so they are likely done in house. Don't know the weight, I don't own a scale. They are pretty hefty, feels heavier than my 8x17 Enkeis.

[steaminhotryce]

You're most likely correct on the forging part. I didn't see any other markings besides "Forged", "Nissan" and some sizing markings on the wheel. Unless I didn't look inside the wheel hard enough.

Thanks for you USEFUL contribution to my thread, madscientist. Very much appreciated.

[steaminhotryce]

I did some more searching on Google using the searching tricks (quotes, pluses, minuses) and found someone saying the shipping weight of all four R32 GTR wheels was 29kg for the whole set. This translates to 64lbs for the whole set or 16lbs per wheel. I'm not sure if the person was including packaging but I'm going to guess not.

Until I get a more solid answer, I'm going to stick with 16lbs per wheel forged by Nissan in-house.

Compared to my S14 SE wheels at 18.5lbs per wheel, I saved 2.5lbs of rotational mass on each corner and a total of 10lbs of unsprung weight (assuming for now that the difference in weight of tires are insignificant).

When I was doing research on my aluminum crank pulley and flywheel, I learned that every little weight cut on rotational mass helps significantly.

Madscientist...what is your take on the 5lbs difference on the drive wheels?

[themadscientist]

weight on parts like a flywheel makes a big bifference. I had a Toda flywheel on my CA18DE and the thing wound up like a GSXR1000, no power off the line though. The light flywheel can't store enough inertia for stoplight work, at least not on a small motor like that. Wheels, I would say it matters less. From a stamped steel wheel to an alloy one or losing toyota monolithic cast rims I would expect a noticable difference but unless the wheel you migrate too is an uber light top notch unit I doubt you would feel the difference from one alloy wheel to the next. Maybe a g sensor and temperature probes on the tires would see it but one's butt is a decidedly crude tool.