Which weighs more? Tire or Rim??????

[hisandherturbo]

First off, if this is in the wrong place SORRY, tried to put it in the correct place, but being a "Rookie" I couldn't. I have been into DSM's since I ordered my 97 at the end of 96. Been on dsmtuners a lot, but just now got around to getting an account, while I am stuck here in good ol Iraq......... Now, on to my question.......
I am looking to start to lighten my load, but in a bit of a dilemma. I have been trying to figure out what size rim I want to go with, and I am looking to get the lightest OVERALL weight I can......... Keep in mind I will keep the overall height the same, so basicly if I had all 3 possibilities in front of me, a 16" setup, 17" setup and an 18" setup, ALL WITH THE EXACT SAME OVERALL HEIGHT, AND TIRE WIDTH, using the same type and style rim, same brand and style tire, which setup would weigh the least????????? hence which weighs more, the tire or the rim.......
TY
Joe

 

[DSMSpyder99]

tires usually wegiht around 22-26lbs most lightweight rims around 11-18lbs. If you want the LIGHTEST possible get some 16x7 with a 225/50/16. SSR Competitions are the lightest rims i have seen they comin in around 11lbs each and are forged

 

[hisandherturbo]

First off, ty for the reply, and the heads up on what rim to get is awesome, will definatly look into them. That sounds like an easy answer, and logical answer, but, it still doesn't totaly answer my question. Also in that thinking (which is very very true) that would say that 1" of rim (talking overall height) would weigh less, so that would mean that the 18" setup would weigh the least. 235/45/17 is my current size right now, which is exactly the same (or as close as you can get mathmaticly) "overall height" to factory of 215/50/17. so to go to 16"s would put me on around 235/50/16 or 18"s around 235/40/18. My first and quickest assumption is that the 18" setup would weigh the least given only the fact that rims can be lighter then tires......... but.......... most of the tire weight is obviously in the tread........... side walls I wouldn't assume have that much weight to them.....so still stumped, or possibly am I beating a dead horse into the ground and the weight difference would only be measured in grams.........
ty in advance to everyone

 

[cdct99]

Go for the 16's. The real difference here is not the overall weight of the wheel, but where that weight is positioned. It's a torque issue, i.e. foot pounds. In other words 5 lbs one foot from the point of rotation is the same as 1lb 5 feet out in terms of the torque required to rotate it (5 ft lbs). Switching from 18's to 16's moves a good deal of weight on the outer band of the rim in closer, and only adds tire sidewall in its place. The outer tread is the heaviest part of the tire, and that is unchanged either way.

 

[hisandherturbo]

WOW, now that's what I am talking about.......... something solid, confused the bagesus out of me, but I think I got it, please correct me if not. I think you are saying a smaller (over all size) wheel is better? due to the rotating mass (well, weight). If that is the case I will just stick with the size I use now, for no other reasons other then looks and to keep my speedo the same. TY though

 

[RotaryRyan]

I have roja lt5's. they are 17's and eigh 9lbs.

heres a pic

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