Do Light Weight Rims Really Make A Difference?

[Travisr138]

Do Light Wieght Rims Really Make A Diff?

 

[96whgsx]

In weight, most likely, depending on the weight. In acceleration, it depends. I haven't owned a car where I changed the rims on.

 

[pr0]

The difference is very noticeable. Back when I had my overweight Motegi's I could feel the power loss compared to now with my Mazda 3 wheels.

 

[scirio]

YES. my car is NA at the moment and I can def tell the difference. I have some behemoth motegi 18" wheels. fuggin monsters weigh a ton and i can definitely tell, without a doubt that I cant accelerate as well on inclines. Like on the freeway near my work i just opened throttle a bit and immediately go faster now, you push the gas and nothing, engine just revs more. but they were almost free and thats the only reason i keep the damn things.

 

[LambdaJoker]

but on higher powered cars the lightwieght rims might affect the car in loss of traction as oppossed to heavier rims, I THINK. somebody correct me if im wrong.

 

[pokkii]

but on higher powered cars the lightwieght rims might affect the car in loss of traction as oppossed to heavier rims, I THINK. somebody correct me if im wrong.

I think that would come down to how the car is built. If removing weight from the rims reduces traction by alot, that doesn't seem right.
The Evo 8 (I think the MR edition) uses light weight rims and that is a powerful car.
General rule: Any weight redution, for the most part, will help. But watch for weight distro (Are DSMs anywhere close to 50/50?).

 

[LeJeune123]

Check out this thread on Miata.net about unsprung weight. Tire and wheel wieght does make a huge difference and not only in accel and decel, but in how fast your suspension corrects for bumps and corners.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=40082

 

[soultron]

From experience, low wieght wheels are good. I switched to alloys from steelies, and more than anything my braking improved. That's worth it when you think about it.

 

[mitsugsx95]

but on higher powered cars the lightwieght rims might affect the car in loss of traction as oppossed to heavier rims, I THINK. somebody correct me if im wrong.

Get better tires.

Yes, i can say from personal experience, that they do make a difference. Acceleration and braking are improved,by reaping the benefits of not trying to spin 22+ lbs of wheel (not to mention tire). Anyone with lightweight wheels that changes from summer to winter wheels should be able to feel a difference.

But watch for weight distro (Are DSMs anywhere close to 50/50?).

I dont think they are anywhere near that. Thats more in the realm of an rx7.

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/eclipsetech/cornerweights.htm

that might help a bit. (not sure how to calculate weight dist. from corner weights .

 

[leet]

The less unsprung weight, the better.