Wheel weights - the difference to performance

After reading up about my new advan model 5 wheels re: fitment I somehow managed to get into the reading of the difference lighter wheels make to the performance.

Apparently the difference lighter wheels makes to the unsprung weight of the car is meant to be quite significant. Furthermore, cheap after market wheels, which are copies of expensive volks/enkei's/buddyclub etc. often have a different manufacturing process which often means they weigh considerably more than the real thing and finish and durability of the wheel is compromised. Which is why cheap wheels often need refurbing far more often than an expensive one. I used to believe it was simply more expensive wheels were better taken care and you paid for the badge but this is not generally the case.

After considerable amounts of reading, I fully understand why these volks/advans etc. cost so much. I will post up links of my reading materials later tonight which I found really interesting (for those who care).

For those who already knew the above - have you noticed the performance gains from fitting lighter wheels ? Apparently the stock supra wheels are actually quite light - so it may be hard pushed to notice if you went from stock to volks but if you went from 19s to lightweight 18s you should have noticed a difference.

Anyone who can add to this?

I am also interested to see if lightweight wheel nuts make a difference.

I have had several Supra's, with many different wheel set ups, the best has to be the stock 17's, the ride was just superb, but that is not for everyone including me it has to be said

My current car had 19" Blitz Technospeeds and I found the ride too hard, the tramlining very bad and the wheel weight made the steering a little vague IMO

I have fitted WED SA70's with WED light weight wheel nuts and the car feels a lot better, the ride is smoother, the turning lighter and the tramlining much improved, the SA 70 is a much lighter wheel and which ever way you go get as close to stock off set as possible and as light a wheel as you can, good rubber is a must also

Not to much to add mate, other than i know light weight wheels are supposed to be better. One of the reasons i fitted the sa70's previously. I didnt really notice any difference between them and the 17" Volks that came with it.

I also fitted the weds light weight wheel nuts and could not believe how light they actually were.

This is an interesting video showing the manufacturing process of Rays Wheels.

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Does anyone know how much approximately the volk wheels weigh compared to stock?

That's a very interesting video. You don't realise actually how much work goes into making sure the wheels are made right and properly balanced!

Does anyone know how much approximately the volk wheels weigh compared to stock?

Depends on the model and size, forged wheels such as the TE37 or CE28N in 18" are around 7-8kg each which is considerably lighter than the stock wheels.

Can't see the video at work but will check it when I get home.

Tooquicktostop, yes that's the sort of thing you are meant to notice. Apparently the analogy is its like running without ankle weights when you lighten the wheels

I am debating lightweight wheel nuts. As apparently they do indeed weigh nothing. Just wondering if its worth the £80-100 cost.

Alloy or titanium wheel nuts will not make very much difference, they are so close to the centre of the wheel their effect is marginal. A lighter tyre however, is a totally different matter. The further toward the periphery of a rotating part weight is removed the more profound its effect on its inertia.

Chris who makes good lightweight tyres?

Would it be correct to assume Pirelli P-zero's, Eagle F1s and Toyo r's or whatever they are called are light tyres?

On one extreme you have ultra heavy *rap like remoulds, on the other you have circuit race slicks. For road usage a specialist tyre like a P-Zero Corsa or Pilot Sport Cup is a lot lighter than a conventional tyre. Usually el cheapo stuff is heavy though.

On one extreme you have ultra heavy *rap like remoulds, on the other you have circuit race slicks. For road usage a specialist tyre like a P-Zero Corsa or Pilot Sport Cup is a lot lighter than a conventional tyre. Usually el cheapo stuff is heavy though.

Thanks very much Chris. Luckily I already have P-zero's on the rear so just need to get them changed on the front

I am talking of P-Zero *CORSAS*, which are a specialist tyre, although the normal P-Zero is still a quality product. Likewise a Pilot Sport *CUP* is a very very different animal to a normal pilot Sport tyre.

Depends on the model and size, forged wheels such as the TE37 or CE28N in 18" are around 7-8kg each which is considerably lighter than the stock wheels.

I have 18" volk GT-U's wrapped in bridgestone potenza RE050a rubber.

Im hoping it should be a nice lightweight combo?

http://www.wheelweights.net/ should help

for example...

18*10

Nice video Nic , never knew quite how complicated the whole process is.

I am talking of P-Zero *CORSAS*, which are a specialist tyre, although the normal P-Zero is still a quality product. Likewise a Pilot Sport *CUP* is a very very different animal to a normal pilot Sport tyre.

Oops.

I am intrigued by all this. Since my car is a NA if I can fly around corners at speed I will be very happy. From what I understand lbs shed at the unsprung side of things is far more beneficial than stripping out the floor mats and things, pound for pound. So I decided to concentrate on that for the time being.

I am looking forward to trying on my new set of boots later this week

This is an interesting video showing the manufacturing process of Rays Wheels.

 

DlHYgCJ9_G4

V.good video - got my wheels today and had them fitted. Look superb - will take pics in daylight.

For those who already knew the above - have you noticed the performance gains from fitting lighter wheels ? Apparently the stock supra wheels are actually quite light - so it may be hard pushed to notice if you went from stock to volks but if you went from 19s to lightweight 18s you should have noticed a difference.

 

Anyone who can add to this?

It's got to do with inertia, and how lighter stuff can accelerate faster and change directions faster.

Coming from riding bikes, we can attest to the effects of lighter wheels

Carrrrbon Fibrrreee