Exactly HOW noticeable......

[evoic]

If someone took 17" (better for launch) wheels that weighed 28lbs without tires.....

And replaced them with 18" (worse for launch) wheels that weighed 18lbs without tires......

Exactly HOW noticeable would the difference be?

Are you going to take advantage of the loss of 10lbs of unsprung weight at each corner more on a strip or while doing a track run?

I'm clearly no expert on the matter, but I'd love to hear from those that are somewhat knowledgeable in this area.

Thanks!
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[xtort44]

I'd say not very noticeable at a drag strip. On a track you'd most likely notice it more with handling. I'm clearly no expert on this matter either :) Just my 2 cents. Ask the b5 s4 guys. They think they know everything ;)

[Alipor]

Well if the conditions were equal, ie same launch, the lighter wheels would be better in both situations, less rolling mass to move off the line in any situation.

[nadroj81]

Originally posted by Alipor
Well if the conditions were equal, ie same launch, the lighter wheels would be better in both situations, less rolling mass to move off the line in any situation.

2nd, In addtion, we were talking about where the weight is. For example the BBS LMs have most of thier weight close to the center of the hub which requires less rotational mass. So even though it may be a pound or two more than a similar size wheel the effort of the drivetrain/hub to move that wheel is less than if the weight is distributed closer to the lip of the wheel. There is some information on the BBS website.

However, generally speaking lighter wheels are better. Kosei is the lightest wheel i have found :-) Just need to get my mod priorities in order.

[nadroj81]

just to be fair, Alipor point this out to me...

[4-tified]

Originally posted by evoic
If someone took 17" (better for launch) wheels that weighed 28lbs without tires.....

And replaced them with 18" (worse for launch) wheels that weighed 18lbs without tires......

Exactly HOW noticeable would the difference be?

Are you going to take advantage of the loss of 10lbs of unsprung weight at each corner more on a strip or while doing a track run?

I'm clearly no expert on the matter, but I'd love to hear from those that are somewhat knowledgeable in this area.

Thanks!
.
.

The only reason why a typical 17" wheel would make for a better launch over the typical 18" wheel is precisely because of the weight, as long as overall diameter stays the same.
If either 17" or 18" wheel had the same overall diameter with tires installed, the relative gearing stays the same. It is then the weight that makes the difference.

Reducing unsprung weight by lowering wheel, tire, rotor weight will help with acceleration, braking, as well as transitional handling. The less weight the easier it is to change it's state.

The other drag strip/acceleration issure related to wheel/tire size comes from people running lower overall diameter wheels/tires, which are typically lower weight as well. Going with smaller diameter wheels/tires increases acceleration off the line due to effective overall gearing ratio changes due to the smaller diameter. Along with gear ratios in the trans and differntial, tire/wheel diameter also alter the overall gear ratio.

[Alipor]

Originally posted by nadroj81
just to be fair, Alipor point this out to me... LMAO, Thanks...