Wheels- Weights vs. Width vs. Bling

[Jeff]

hey boys and girls. Thought hit me as I am trying to avoid study for the Accounting test I am gonna fail tomorrow. I want to put some better rubber on the Daytona before I run it for the first time at any event. However I am poor. The Sebring will be laid up for the winter and I look at its big bling and raise an eyebrow. It has the same Sumitomos that were on Hunter's car last year. In a 225/45/17in...lots of width compared to my OEM 205s. They are a 17X7 CHROME wheel though. They are VERY, VERY heavy. Are the width, lower sidewall, and bling look worth taking on almost double the weight of the wheel?

[white_2kgt]

If you are serious about OTing (and only then will wheel weight make a difference) then you will get another set of wheels/tires for the track. So get whatever you want now to run on the street and for your HPDE1/2 days, then when the time comes you can get a set of lightweight wheels and R compounds.

[Jeff]

"OTing" explain. These tires are pretty damn grippy even with the heavy wheels and the HEAVY car. I can go a TON faster around "this one corner" going to my house with the summer wheels on then the winter.

[white_2kgt]

"OTing" explain. These tires are pretty damn grippy even with the heavy wheels and the HEAVY car. I can go a TON faster around "this one corner" going to my house with the summer wheels on then the winter.

OTing, Open Tracking, as in going to the track and driving fast. If you really think you need lightweight wheels for the street, oh boy, we need to get back to basics.

[Evan]

If you are serious about OTing (and only then will wheel weight make a difference)

Wheel weight doesnt make a damn bit of difference for HPDE. Its not a race.
Use what you have. Personally I think people spend way too much money on wheels that is much better served in other ways.

[Jeff]

The moving mass dosn't affect performance enough to worry about it though?

[Maengelito]

the moving mass might make a difference when you're racing, but the unsprung weight of a bling wheel compared to a regular wheel is only a couple of pounds. then add the brakes, suspension and all those other bits that are unsprung and we're talkin about the difference between 500 lbs and 503 lbs. just be sure you get lightweight lugnuts, y0

[Evan]

The moving mass dosn't affect performance enough to worry about it though?

no, your car's performance is not the focus of HPDE, especially when you are in HPDE 1 and 2. You are learning, focusing on the driver. Sure there will be a small acceleration difference between a 20 lb wheel and a 15 lb wheel, but you will be much faster if you take the $600 or so it takes to buy the 15lb wheels and put it into more events.

for hpde you want a car that stops well, is safe, and handles decent.

[white_2kgt]

The moving mass dosn't affect performance enough to worry about it though?

no, your car's performance is not the focus of HPDE, especially when you are in HPDE 1 and 2. You are learning

So get whatever you want now to run on the street and for your HPDE1/2 days

Is there an echo in here :?: :lol:

[Jeff]

OHH SHUT UP :lol: I know that the focus of HPDE is not the car, don't preach. I'm asking so I will know. I'm not even sure the offset of the wheel will allow it to fit, I will find out this weekend. I know that the bling wheels WILL NOT turn on the sebring...no burnout possible. However even the 2.5L V6 sebring (wow thats a tiny V6) will turn the stockers into a mighty smoke screen. I would imagine that is likely due to the traction rating and less the weight, but I'm sure the weight is a factor. This is not important but it illistrates how much better the grip is on the 17s.

OEM 16in. - 16X6, 215/55/16 Michelin X-radial 4/32 tread on 3 and 10/32 on one. Traction A, 570 treadwear (or something like that)

17in - 17X7, 225/45/17 Z-W Sumitomo HRT-ZII. BLing new. Traction AA, treadwear 220

All of that is best as I can remember...might be off on treawear.

[.RJ]

Although it doesnt really matter, i'd be hesitant to put a really heavy whee/tire combo on the car for track use. Look for something smaller and lighter, IMO.

[Mike]

Although it doesnt really matter, i'd be hesitant to put a really heavy whee/tire combo on the car for track use. Look for something smaller and lighter, IMO.

agreed. you can get a lightweight setup for just as much as a heavy one...

brand new ats comp lites to my door for $300? rotas to your door for $400?

you're not going to beat those prices...

[Jeff]

nope, can't beat that with a stick. those are for 15in right? I dunno if I wanna do that with the 11in brakes. I know 15 will fit but it is tight. RJ told me a long time ago that there are no good 16in tires...sooooo...and the 17s are free for now

[Mike]

i have 11" brakes and run 15" wheels.

[Jeff]

the area around the brakes dosn't effect their cooling at all?

[ScottyB]

the area around the brakes dosn't effect their cooling at all?

not really. at the speeds where brakes really fade, there is more than enough air movement for good pads to hold up. and if you run ducting, you're going to have to work pretty damn hard to fade those things.

what would really hurt you would be running hub caps or a very poorly ventilated wheel, neither of which i think you have to worry about.

[WRXRacer111]

not really. at the speeds where brakes really fade, there is more than enough air movement for good pads to hold up. and if you run ducting, you're going to have to work pretty damn hard to fade those things.

Whaaaaaaat? If the brakes are fading, there's not enough air movement in the area to keep them cool... You can still fade GOOD pads regardless of the wheel if you've got a heavy car with power and small brakes.

[ScottyB]

not really. at the speeds where brakes really fade, there is more than enough air movement for good pads to hold up. and if you run ducting, you're going to have to work pretty damn hard to fade those things.

Whaaaaaaat? If the brakes are fading, there's not enough air movement in the area to keep them cool... You can still fade GOOD pads regardless of the wheel if you've got a heavy car with power and small brakes.

hahaha i totally contradicted myself, oops. what i meant was that at track speeds there is plenty of air movement in an open/airy wheel.....but yeah if your pads suck and you don't have much heat capacity in the brakes for the weight of the car, start draggin your feet :lol:

[.RJ]

A heavy wheel is also going to make the brakes work harder

[Mike]

i was thinking that, but in the grand scheme of things that is very minimal. i'd have to see some hard facts (backed up by data) to think otherwise.