Wheels: High Rigidity vs Light Weight

[Flash]

This is too good of a read to pass up. I was even shocked. I asked Kent @ AME Wheels/ Endless USA to email me the PDF file for the article. I guess a buddy of his translated it all to English. So I exported the PDF to JPEG so I could share it with you all. Thank you Kent (even though you don't go on DSM forums)!!!

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[CPHunter]

now sell me your ray's

 

[unlmtdndeavor]

Grant...the JDM DSMer. Good read.

 

[RipperXX]

Good read, I guess this means if I want 14lb wheels I should be stealing my friends FD3S wheels Muahahahaha....


Also IMO yet another reason to not go over 17" wheels is the jump in weight. You can still have fairly light wheels that are plenty strong if you stick to 16-17".

 

[crimsondragon]

So if you were to be doing specifically drag racing, you should go for super light wheels for the acceleration. Just don't brake too hard when you cross the 1/4 mile. If you're doing autox, stick with rigid wheels.

 

[mitsocruiser]

Thats just one more reason while I'm in the process of getting 16 back on my car and getting rid of the heavy a#$ 18 I got now thanks for the article

 

[Flash]

I think the point wasn't to showcase that you should go back to an OEM wheel or even stay at a 17" wheel max (the test was conducted on 18" wheels). The test was meant to prove that although most people understand the merit of seeking a lightweight performance wheel, most tend to think that as long as a wheel is rigid or strong enough not to crack or bend, it should be fine. What they point out in this article is that when producing a true, race worthy wheel, reputable manufacturers take into account the degree of rigidity depending on the specifications of the particular racecar. The weight factor is taken into consideration only after the rigidy factor.
I can recall many threads on this forum that held an emphasis on wheel weight. One article that I remember was someone concerned with the weight of Evo wheels. And this article shows there is more to it than just weight. But weight is not eliminated from the equation. It shows that a balanced wheel both rigid and light will be superior to just a light wheel that lacks rigidity or a very rigid wheel that is heavy. That's why the reputable manufacturers strive to find the balance.
A balanced wheel is superior to everything else.

 

[RipperXX]

The reason I mentioned 16-17" and others have since is you can get "real" super lightweight wheels (IMO) and not compromise the rigidity of it.

So you get to keep your cake and eat it too.

 

[TSITuner4Lyfe69]

Thats nothing my SSR Competition Wheels Weigh 10lbs a Piece

 

[RipperXX]

Thats insane, specs on them?

 

[mavisky]

Wow their super lightweight wheels are only about a pound lighter for the 18x9's than my 17x9's are with nearly the exact same offset. Of course my wheels cost $165 a piece with free shipping though

Mustang rims FTW

 

[Slippi84]

Thats nothing my SSR Competition Wheels Weigh 10lbs a Piece

You steal those wheels too??

 

[mavisky]

Thats nothing my SSR Competition Wheels Weigh 10lbs a Piece

Interesting since their 15x7's weight 9.3lbs and their next heaviest wheels are 16x7 at 11.0 pounds. They flat don't make a 10lb wheel.