John A Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Hello All I was wondering how much would everyone sacrifice wheel weight for width? Due to a very limited budget (I'm sure many of you can relate), I need to choose between a 17x7 wheel at 15-16 lbs and a 17x8 wheel at 17-18 lbs. Thoughts? -John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuperdave Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 I think the Honda Challenge rules stipulate wheel width of no more than 7" Dave R HPDE2 Red Civic VX hatch #192 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPiFF Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 H1 (hybrids): no limit All others: 7" max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John A Posted June 9, 2004 Author Share Posted June 9, 2004 This isn't necessarily for the HC. The point of the question is at what point will wheel weight need to be sacrificed for wheel width. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrie Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 I will sacrifice weight anytime. Unsprung weight are overrated IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeski38 Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Only with your "special" shocks Andrie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clock Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 what about rotating mass? There was a GRM article that studied a drag race between 2 cars, of the same model. One was stock. One had wheels that were 10lbs lighter each than stock. The conclusion was, that after a mile long straight, the car with the light wheels was ahead by 1.5 car lengths. Then they took 100lbs out of the stock one, and the one with the light wheels still won, but barely. The conclusion was that for accelaration alone, removing weight from the wheels was much more effective than removing it from anywhere else. I guess it could have been a flawed test, but it makes sense to me. Some crank pulley ad claimed that removing 10% of the crank pulleys mass added 1hp. whether or not it is a true figure, people and physics agree on the concept of rotating mass on the drivetrain eating HP. Wheels are on the drivetrain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John A Posted June 10, 2004 Author Share Posted June 10, 2004 I read that article as well. That is why I'm undecided between extra grip/rotating mass vs less grip/less rotating mass. I'm leaning towards extra grip however. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITAIntegraLS Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 That article was just for drag racing. Wider rim will put more rubber on the ground and you would be able to corner faster. and keep more momentum and you would need to race 1 mile just to gain 1.5 carlenghts goin stratight. I would go for wider wheel as i allready have on my race car. ANd where do you buy wheels that are 10lbs lighter than the one you allready have? Thats a lot of weight to lose on a rim. Rim that light is like 250-300 bucks each. 11-12lbs rim. So just get the 17x8 rim. 2lbs wont hurt much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmeris Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 Hello All I was wondering how much would everyone sacrifice wheel weight for width? Due to a very limited budget (I'm sure many of you can relate), I need to choose between a 17x7 wheel at 15-16 lbs and a 17x8 wheel at 17-18 lbs. Thoughts? -John If you're talking less than 2lbs. difference per wheel and gaining a wider footprint, then I'd go with a wider wheel. I think a wider wheel would be more beneficial at tracks like Sears Pt., and Buttonwillow. Whereas, a lighter wheel would probably help more at Willow Springs and T-hill. Don't you race a Sentra? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clock Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I usually run out of courage before grip anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msp282 Posted June 16, 2004 Share Posted June 16, 2004 I have a similar situation S2000 w/ 16x8 rears = ~35lbs with 245/45/16 hoosier S2000 w/ 18*10 rear = ~50lbs with 285/35/18 hoosier both fit under the fenders due to difference in offsets, but which is the better choice? It sure *seems* dumb to waste 15lbs per side of rotating mass, but it certainly should get around the turns better. I found a set of used 18's in the perfect offsets for $1k....but I am not sure I would use them..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vapor Posted July 9, 2004 Share Posted July 9, 2004 I have a similar situation S2000 w/ 16x8 rears = ~35lbs with 245/45/16 hoosier S2000 w/ 18*10 rear = ~50lbs with 285/35/18 hoosier both fit under the fenders due to difference in offsets, but which is the better choice? It sure *seems* dumb to waste 15lbs per side of rotating mass, but it certainly should get around the turns better. I found a set of used 18's in the perfect offsets for $1k....but I am not sure I would use them..... If you lighten the s2000, you shouldn't need to run a 285 tire in the rear. Some do so I guess it's just driver perference. Popular rear wheels are the ce28n's 17x9 in 63 offset where a 275 fits fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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