lighter the wheels faster the car runs?
12-09-2008, 03:51 PM
#1
2002 maxima se
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lighter the wheels faster the car runs?
does a car runs faster on 17 inch wheels comparing to 18,19,20s? is the 17" wheels are the good size for track racing? I heard you also save on gas by not going with bigger wheels...what size you recommend for track and street?
Last edited by OC guy; 12-09-2008 at 03:56 PM.
12-09-2008, 04:10 PM
#3
True for the most part. It has more to do with the inertia of the rim. If the larger rims is light enough there will be no difference. For instance iicr the oem 17" on a 5.5gen is 25lbs to have the same amount of inertia in an 18", the rim would have to be 22lbs or less and just under 20lbs for a 19". Really with whatever size you are looking for try to get the lightest wheel $$$ will allow. Its easy to find a light cheap 15"-16" rim... My buddy wieghed his GTPs stock 15" in at 15lbs. Now if you want a 18" rims that weighs that much your gonna have to open that wallet, alot more.
12-09-2008, 04:22 PM
#4
wat? boy oh boy you have a lot of information reading to do. ill give you a couple tips:
- less rotational mass = better acceleration (less energy to spin).
- more rubber on the road gives you better grip. but also gives you more rolling resistance. (this is where rubber compound and tire design come in)
- semi-forged/forged is stronger than cast, less chance of bending or cracking, also tend to be lighter, but more expensive
- 17" is fairly ideal for the maxima in terms of "tracking" wheels. but 16" also works with it being lighter
- width of the wheel also matters when determining weight, wider wheels mean more weight
- tire size and tire type also play a crucial role (All-Seasons, Summer, R-compounds, etc)
search buddy. it's all over this forum and the internet. google, my350z.com, zilvia.net, tirerack.com (lots of useful information there).
- less rotational mass = better acceleration (less energy to spin).
- more rubber on the road gives you better grip. but also gives you more rolling resistance. (this is where rubber compound and tire design come in)
- semi-forged/forged is stronger than cast, less chance of bending or cracking, also tend to be lighter, but more expensive
- 17" is fairly ideal for the maxima in terms of "tracking" wheels. but 16" also works with it being lighter
- width of the wheel also matters when determining weight, wider wheels mean more weight
- tire size and tire type also play a crucial role (All-Seasons, Summer, R-compounds, etc)
search buddy. it's all over this forum and the internet. google, my350z.com, zilvia.net, tirerack.com (lots of useful information there).
12-10-2008, 10:23 AM
#5
now that Mr****s95SE's has spoken we can close the thread. and as he said this info is all around the place if you only searched...
12-11-2008, 12:02 AM
#6
now that Mr****s95SE's has spoken we can close the thread. and as he said this info is all around the place if you only searched...
12-11-2008, 04:23 AM
#8
Yes Mr****s has spoken! LoL
Best brands that have forged wheels...
Rays, Work, SSR, G-Games, Gramlights, Volk...ect the list goes on. Best bet is 17" wheels, since they're usually lighter and cheaper than anything with a larger diameter.
Don't forget width and keep those tires down!
Best brands that have forged wheels...
Rays, Work, SSR, G-Games, Gramlights, Volk...ect the list goes on. Best bet is 17" wheels, since they're usually lighter and cheaper than anything with a larger diameter.
Don't forget width and keep those tires down!
12-11-2008, 06:05 AM
#9
for your non-forged pleasure, and also lower costs, check out the Kosei K1 and K1-TS, and also the Enkei RPF01 and NT03. These wheels are your lightweight and fairly strong cast wheels.
12-11-2008, 10:41 AM
#10
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Since nobody made mention of this, wheel/tire selection can also affect gearing. I believe stock diameter on 5th gens is 25.7" or so, so if you change that diameter, it will be like changing the final drive in the transmission (or rear diff if you had a RWD car). I run some 245-45-18s daily driving, and those come out to over 26" total, so I actually have a little higher gearing total than a stock car would. At the track I have 24.5" M/T slicks, and they make a noticeable difference in gearing for the opposite direction.
For the most part, not counting shift times if you're having to shift extra from lower gearing, a smaller total diameter will equate to faster accelleration. This is not the case for most turbo cars, which perform better with more load (lower gearing), or if you have to shift to say 5th for a 6 speed or 4th for a 5 speed at the 1/4 mile track, or run out of gear in 3rd when autocrossing.
Just as one more note, diameter changes will throw your spedometer off.
I hope I explained it pretty well, but make sure while choosing your wheel/tire setup, you choose a total diameter close to stock if you want your speedo to be accurate and the car to perform more like stock. Most drag racers go with smaller diameter for quicker times.
edit: also remember that if you get tires with taller sidewalls, they will weigh more (in most cases) as well. They will also be more likely to flex and cause bad turnin for autoxing depending on tire brand.
For the most part, not counting shift times if you're having to shift extra from lower gearing, a smaller total diameter will equate to faster accelleration. This is not the case for most turbo cars, which perform better with more load (lower gearing), or if you have to shift to say 5th for a 6 speed or 4th for a 5 speed at the 1/4 mile track, or run out of gear in 3rd when autocrossing.
Just as one more note, diameter changes will throw your spedometer off.
I hope I explained it pretty well, but make sure while choosing your wheel/tire setup, you choose a total diameter close to stock if you want your speedo to be accurate and the car to perform more like stock. Most drag racers go with smaller diameter for quicker times.
edit: also remember that if you get tires with taller sidewalls, they will weigh more (in most cases) as well. They will also be more likely to flex and cause bad turnin for autoxing depending on tire brand.
Last edited by sparks03max; 12-11-2008 at 10:43 AM.
12-11-2008, 10:48 AM
#11
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