Heavy Repro wheels effect performance
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Yardley PA
Heavy Repro wheels effect performance
Saw this on the C5 forum, but it's also relevant for us C4'ers. This article confirms everything I thought about heavier repro wheels. Looks like I'll be keeping my turbines 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=883700
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=883700
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 68
From: Hewitt NJ
This is why I stayed away from the repro wheels. When I called around they would either not quote me a weight or give me weights that were considerably heavier than stock. I went with stock '04 Z06 wheels and I love them.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Heavy wheels will kill performance, I know from experience.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by stick91
Saw this on the C5 forum, but it's also relevant for us C4'ers. This article confirms everything I thought about heavier repro wheels. Looks like I'll be keeping my turbines
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=883700
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=883700
And even if you weren't concerned with rotating mass, I would never add any unsprung weight to my car either. Heavier wheels diminish power AND handling! Besides, I kind of like maintaining stock appearance because it's just that much more fun when the real hotshoe ricers think they're just messing with another old fart in a stock Vette!
Last edited by Corvette Kid; Aug 15, 2004 at 03:52 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
What he fails to mention, is that he switched to Z06 wheels, which are 1" wider, and have less positive offset than Y2ks. Both of these things mean the wheel will have more material.
The only difference between OEM and repro castings, is the mounting surface. repros are typically solid there, while OEM removes excess material between lug holes. As far as rotational mass goes, all this weight is next to the hub, so it doesn't have a big effect on rotational inertia.
Even if there were two wheels of the same material and exact same casting, and one weighed more, it means the heavier one is a higher quality casting, and will be stronger.
The only difference between OEM and repro castings, is the mounting surface. repros are typically solid there, while OEM removes excess material between lug holes. As far as rotational mass goes, all this weight is next to the hub, so it doesn't have a big effect on rotational inertia.
Even if there were two wheels of the same material and exact same casting, and one weighed more, it means the heavier one is a higher quality casting, and will be stronger.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ONTARIO
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
What he fails to mention, is that he switched to Z06 wheels, which are 1" wider, and have less positive offset than Y2ks. Both of these things mean the wheel will have more material.
The only difference between OEM and repro castings, is the mounting surface. repros are typically solid there, while OEM removes excess material between lug holes. As far as rotational mass goes, all this weight is next to the hub, so it doesn't have a big effect on rotational inertia.
Even if there were two wheels of the same material and exact same casting, and one weighed more, it means the heavier one is a higher quality casting, and will be stronger.
The only difference between OEM and repro castings, is the mounting surface. repros are typically solid there, while OEM removes excess material between lug holes. As far as rotational mass goes, all this weight is next to the hub, so it doesn't have a big effect on rotational inertia.
Even if there were two wheels of the same material and exact same casting, and one weighed more, it means the heavier one is a higher quality casting, and will be stronger.
besides i have 478 rwhp to help offset the weight of my 19s
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 21,510
Likes: 0
From: On a Wisconsin Death Trip
FWIW - This past June I held a wheel off a current Formula 1 car, you could literally hold it with your extended index finger at arms length - it was that light. In fact, I spun it of my finger. 
No tire, of course.
Amazing.
It was off Mark Webber's Jag.
Jut my $.02.
No tire, of course.Amazing.
It was off Mark Webber's Jag.
Jut my $.02.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
