unsprung weight

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Apr 23, 2006 | 10:47 PM

illinest

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 632

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From: Harrisburg, PA 86 Vert w/ 89 wheels

unsprung weight

i have the 88-89 wheels, as you can see in my avatar. They seem pretty heavy to me, but I've never had another opportunity to pick up corvette wheels before. How much weight could I lose by switching to lighter wheels? Really curious about this.

Apr 23, 2006 | 10:54 PM

jpee

Race Director

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 13,298

Likes: 14

From: Somers NY

I went to racing wheels (Weld Pro Star) 15x3.5 in front for drag racing & saved 50 lb... less in the rear I used 15x10 but had to use 28" tires to hook up,,,

I think Weld are the mose inexpensive light weight wheels you can get.. IF you like that look.. you can see mine in my sig.. well the fronts only.

Apr 23, 2006 | 11:19 PM

vader86

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 62,145

Likes: 1,730

From: Athens AL

C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021

C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019

Most of the aftermarket 5-spokes are heavier than the OE 5-spokes.

Apr 24, 2006 | 11:41 AM

Slalom4me

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 9,036

Likes: 13

From: Edmonton AB

Unless someone posts in the meantime, I will be back with weights
of the OEM '89 wheels, OEM '03 Z/06 wheels (9.5" & 11" Speedline),
Goodyear GS-C, F1 and Hoosier tires.

These threads might be of interest

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1544609448

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1543702573

.

Apr 24, 2006 | 06:49 PM

Slalom4me

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 9,036

Likes: 13

From: Edmonton AB

Wheel and tire weights

1989 wheel, cap and 275/40 x 17 GY GS-C tire: 51 lbs

2003 Z/06 wheel, cap and 265/? x 17 GY F1 SC tire : 44 lbs
2003 Z/06 wheel, cap and 295/? x 18 GY F1 SC tire : 49 lbs

Z/06 Wheels & caps only:
- 17 x 9.5 = 19 lbs
- 18 x 11 = 20 lbs

Hoosier 305/30 x 18 = 24 lbs (44 lbs mounted on Z/06 18 x 11)

Sorry, I have the individual '89 wheel, cap and tire weights somewhere
but not where I can look them up just now. I'm not going to guess,
but you can look at the weight of the 17" Z/06 (w/ slightly smaller tire)
and compare against the 17" '89 OEM and see that there is a 7 lb
difference. Multiply this by four and you are looking at a significant
difference. The difference is a bit less when comparing with the same
tire but it is still substantial.

(Note that the aftermarket Z/06 wheels said to be heavier than the
OEM Speedlines.)

Check the link I posted above for an idea of the effect on accelleration
and braking arising from a change of this magnitude.

Is this a worthwhile change? It depends.

I had multiple reasons for changing (C5 brakes, 18" track tires & performance).
I bought two sets of Z/06 take-offs, so I was able to transfer my GS-C
tires to the four 17" fronts and immediately drive the car following the
wheel change. I feel that ride and acceleration improved with the
lighter wheels.

.

Apr 24, 2006 | 10:23 PM

NitrousSam

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 2,951

Likes: 3

From: Mount Vernon OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by vader86

Most of the aftermarket 5-spokes are heavier than the OE 5-spokes.

Not sure if you are talking specifically about A-molds or not but there are a tremendous amount of 5 spoke wheels that are substantially lighter than GM units. Weld Prostars, Weld AlumaStar, Bogart Challenge Star, Monoque, Billet Specialties...I could go on and on. I have worked on extensive weight reduction threads and I try to stay on top of all weight reduction options relating to Corvettes and race cars.

Apr 24, 2006 | 10:50 PM

illinest

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 632

Likes: 0

From: Harrisburg, PA 86 Vert w/ 89 wheels

thanks guys, and in particular to slalom4me for going out of his way to track down actual numbers.

The impetus for the question was finding one of the weight/hp threads on this forum and in lifting my friends' aftermarket Evo wheel.
What I didn't think about was the fact that his wheel was not fitted with a tire, whereas my spare wheel is.
I'm a dummy.

Apr 24, 2006 | 11:04 PM

jpee

Race Director

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 13,298

Likes: 14

From: Somers NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slalom4me

Unless someone posts in the meantime, I will be back with weights
.

I find this thread very interesting as I drag race & removing weight is just as good as making more HP & its probably cheaper in a lot of cases...

I've used Weld Pro Star Wheels & they are about as light as you can get.. & are sharp looking (IMHO)

I have a pair of after market A mold 17x11 on the rear.... my neighbor also wants a set.. 17x11 I think I bought mine (5 yr ago) from AAA but they don't have them now..

I need 17x11 with the 56mm backspace.. it HAS to be more than the factory Grand Sport wheels because the Grand Sport wheels stick out too far on a regular C4

I'd appreciate any tips on where I can get a set of these...

thanks in advance... I'm sure someone will know.. (I hope)