I've still got the stock 7 spoke alloys on my '93, and I will probably buy some new 17"s pretty soon. I was talking with SpeedRacer, and he told me that I'll lose quite a bit of performance because most bigger wheels (bigger than stock, rather) are heavier, and you'll lose power thereby requiring the motor to expend more power to turn these heavier wheels.
Two things: does anyone know the weight of the stock alloys? And what do you guys think? For all ya'll that have got 17s-18s, did you see any performance gains/losses?
Thanks,Nick.
Wheel wieghts, performance gains/losses
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specialkonrd
- Posts: 459
- Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2002 4:43 pm
we just talked about this, weights and everything. hit the search button!
FYI: stock 7-spoke wheels is 18lbs.
go search, its a huge thread... in fact...http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....ber=2 thats just one thready, anyways, "Yeah, I'm pretty curiouse about that as well. I was told that light wheels were like a light flywheel as far as performance gains..."
uh negative. a wheel represents 'unsprung weight' -its not carried by the cars suspension, and thusly has about 4 times the signifigance weight wise of 'sprung' weight. a good set of REALLY light wheels, in say, a 17" that weighl ike...15.2lbs(like volk racing spec wheels..) not only cost 400-500 a peice(maybe more!) thusly save you:18-15.2=2.82.8x4=10.4lbs x4(for unsprung weight) 40lbs of equivalent "sprung weight"
the basic idea for larger wheels and tires is to get a better contact path on the road, and NOT INCREASE unsprung weight, since this will deteriorate performance to an extent.
hope that helps.
-chet
FYI: stock 7-spoke wheels is 18lbs.
go search, its a huge thread... in fact...http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....ber=2 thats just one thready, anyways, "Yeah, I'm pretty curiouse about that as well. I was told that light wheels were like a light flywheel as far as performance gains..."
uh negative. a wheel represents 'unsprung weight' -its not carried by the cars suspension, and thusly has about 4 times the signifigance weight wise of 'sprung' weight. a good set of REALLY light wheels, in say, a 17" that weighl ike...15.2lbs(like volk racing spec wheels..) not only cost 400-500 a peice(maybe more!) thusly save you:18-15.2=2.82.8x4=10.4lbs x4(for unsprung weight) 40lbs of equivalent "sprung weight"
the basic idea for larger wheels and tires is to get a better contact path on the road, and NOT INCREASE unsprung weight, since this will deteriorate performance to an extent.
hope that helps.
-chet
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Repo Man
- Moderator
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- Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2002 6:52 am
- Car: 2020 Frontier Pro4X
2003 Honda Accord - Location: Indy
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The Rota wheels are lightweight and don't cost that much. Check 'em at http://www.jaydm.com.
I got that idea from eddie radatz a racer up in kenessaw GA whoe makes IT-S race cars and such...
but yeah, most of the time the bigger the wheel the heavier, or its not signifigantly lighter to reduce any aceleeration times, but it can help braking and stopping(if you get a stickier tire with a better contact patch).
K-car is always checking my posts for accuracy. hes like my little sarcastic angel who keeps me in line :P
-chet
but yeah, most of the time the bigger the wheel the heavier, or its not signifigantly lighter to reduce any aceleeration times, but it can help braking and stopping(if you get a stickier tire with a better contact patch).
K-car is always checking my posts for accuracy. hes like my little sarcastic angel who keeps me in line :P
-chet
