So, you're thinking about buying wheels...

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Didn't realize i had to be so technical.
The 19'S weigh a acouple pounds less then 20 each. i'LL ASSUME. Just stating from personal exp.

You don't, he just likes to hear himself talk //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

assuming the car is an auto and launched the same way then the driver makes NO diff at all. Unless one weighs 500#'s more then the other //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Hey now, that extra few calories a day over a period of 6 months could add up! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

And admittedly, I wasn't taking automatic transmission into account.

There are also conditions like the track. If the tires are still in the same shape as the previous shape.

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

You don't, he just likes to hear himself talk //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif

...because I can HEAR myself talk on a forum? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

First part about the performance loss is not accurate. Biggest diff would be in tires that are MUCH taller and kill the final gear ratio.
I had a 9 sec street/drag car with heavy steel rims, then I switched to MUCH lighter aluminum drag rims and knocked off around 20#'s per rim. Gain in performance....next to nothing. Maybe .03 in the quarter and .5mph.

General rule of thumb is each 100#'s = .10/1mph in the 1/4, but cars that make a lot of torque aren't affected as much. When my old GN ran 13's @ 100mph I could add a 200# passenger and run the same exact times...

I find it extremely hard to believe you knocked off anywhere close to around 20lbs per corner.

Infact, I am calling bullshit.

What was the existing weight of the weight of your steel wheels? Who made/manufactures the Aluminum wheels (I am assuming they are forged)?

It is unusual to see anyone drop any excess of 10lbs per corner in JUST wheels unless they go from a cast chrome wheel than drop down several inches and go with something forged.

 

[donpisto 5,000+ posts]

Read first post and good info. But one thing I'd like to say is that the difference is not always that noticeable or drastic. When I had 20's on my car I did notice a loss in acceleration. However, I've raced an '08 G35 (IIRC 20-30 HP more than my '06), while me having some minor mods giving me at most 15 HP, and I was able to keep up with the other vehicle. He was an auto so it wasn't anything due to the driver mis-shifting.

After having 20's, although nice, I now prefer a lighter and smaller wheel. Big isn't always best.

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Hey now, that extra few calories a day over a period of 6 months could add up! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif
And admittedly, I wasn't taking automatic transmission into account.

There are also conditions like the track. If the tires are still in the same shape as the previous shape.

But now you're adding in kinds of variables to try and support your original statement. I was under the assumption that NOTHING had changed except the weight of the rims.

When I did my "test" I made 3 baseline runs with the heavy rims, then swapped and made 3 more runs. Then swapped back to the heavy ones and made 2 more passes.

I street/drag raced for 25+ years, so I know a little about how to properly test a change made to the car //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

But now you're adding in kinds of variables to try and support your original statement. I was under the assumption that NOTHING had changed except the weight of the rims.
When I did my "test" I made 3 baseline runs with the heavy rims, then swapped and made 3 more runs. Then swapped back to the heavy ones and made 2 more passes.

I street/drag raced for 25+ years, so I know a little about how to properly test a change made to the car //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

You'll also notice that I mentioned several times that there are a BUNCH of variables I wasn't going to go into. Now, when you assume... you make an *** out of you and me.

Please provide more info about these tests. Specific information about the wheels used. Did you maintain the same tire? Same tire size?

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

I find it extremely hard to believe you knocked off anywhere close to around 20lbs per corner.
Infact, I am calling bullshit.

What was the existing weight of the weight of your steel wheels? Who made/manufactures the Aluminum wheels (I am assuming they are forged)?

It is unusual to see anyone drop any excess of 10lbs per corner in JUST wheels unless they go from a cast chrome wheel than drop down several inches and go with something forged.

steels where corvette rally's: 7" up front and custom made 10" in the back. Then I ran Weld Draglites with 3.5's up front and 8's in the back. Actually was a bigger diff up front in weightloss...

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

You'll also notice that I mentioned several times that there are a BUNCH of variables I wasn't going to go into. Now, when you assume... you make an *** out of you and me.
Please provide more info about these tests.

what kind of info you looking for?

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

Read first post and good info. But one thing I'd like to say is that the difference is not always that noticeable or drastic. When I had 20's on my car I did notice a loss in acceleration. However, I've raced an '08 G35 (IIRC 20-30 HP more than my '06), while me having some minor mods giving me at most 15 HP, and I was able to keep up with the other vehicle. He was an auto so it wasn't anything due to the driver mis-shifting.
After having 20's, although nice, I now prefer a lighter and smaller wheel. Big isn't always best.

Not all cars are effected in the same way, I agree.

The difference in my maxima was slight, at best.

The largest change came in the form of my brake performance. At highway speeds, I had to leave considerably more room to slow to a stop if something happened.

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

steels where corvette rally's: 7" up front and custom made 10" in the back. Then I ran Weld Draglites with 3.5's up front and 8's in the back. Actually was a bigger diff up front in weightloss...

You're comparing a 7" wide wheel to a 3.5" wheel.

You made it seem like you had JUST switched the wheels.

This would mean your tires were changed as well.

 

[natisfynest 10+ year member]

i think your theory is flawed by the simple fact that you used 20's as your comparison now if you was to say 24's then it may be come a issue but 20's compared to say stock 16's or 17's isnt that drastic that you would lose anything IMO you would gain do to 99% of the time if you make that switch you are going with a low profile tire which is more performance than say your 225/45/16

i say change your arguement to 24" and you make more sence

 

[donpisto 5,000+ posts]

Finished reading. As someone mentioned before it's all personal preference. If you prefer visuals over performance, then go with the larger wheels (just as long as they fit). If you are more into performance, stray from larger wheels. If you are worried about saving gas, realize you'll lose some gas mileage. Simple as that.

Also, one thing that I'm sure you'll be explaining is that with larger wheels, the suspension characteristics will change, new alignment will be needed and possibly the purchase of camber arms/kits to correct the camber, toe, steer, etc.

Very informative post. Guy's, let's not get into a nitpicking frenzy so as to conserve good information and from having people go through numerous pages of bickering.

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

i think your theory is flawed by the simple fact that you used 20's as your comparison now if you was to say 24's then it may be come a issue but 20's compared to say stock 16's or 17's isnt that drastic that you would lose anything IMO you would gain do to 99% of the time if you make that switch you are going with a low profile tire which is more performance than say your 225/45/16
i say change your arguement to 24" and you make more sence

Did you read ANY of the info?

Because it doesn't rely on the wheel size. It relies on adding mass to the rotation, not the overall dimensions of the wheels.

 

[donpisto 5,000+ posts]

Not all cars are effected in the same way, I agree.
The difference in my maxima was slight, at best.

The largest change came in the form of my brake performance. At highway speeds, I had to leave considerably more room to slow to a stop if something happened.

Stopping distance was affected for me as well. Even with my crappy tires on my stock 17's it seemed very close if not, a tad better.