wheels over performance?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '06
I get the whole concept that lighter wheels are a performance mod. But, how many are tracking their cars with a $4K - $6K set of I-Forged, HRE's, or....?
It makes sense if you do serious track time, but to make that argument for a street car is a little much...JMHO
Nick
It makes sense if you do serious track time, but to make that argument for a street car is a little much...JMHO
Nick
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
I get the whole concept that lighter wheels are a performance mod. But, how many are tracking their cars with a $4K - $6K set of I-Forged, HRE's, or....?
It makes sense if you do serious track time, but to make that argument for a street car is a little much...JMHO
Nick
It makes sense if you do serious track time, but to make that argument for a street car is a little much...JMHO
Nick
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 45
From: Las Vegas Nevada
car and driver
My Corvette is the first of about 15 vehicles I have owned to wear aftermarket rims. Since the car is highly modded (590rwhp), I wanted it to have the look to match and also wanted it to have better traction (as it can get hairy on stock tires). So, I went with a mini-tub and CCW505a's with a 19x13" rear. This is substantial effort and/or money.
It looks great and is great for car shows (it can be the difference between getting a trophy or not), but makes a definite noticeable difference in all-round performance. This is on a high HP car. I imagine it would absolutely kill performance on a near stock car.
Here's the weight differences:
Rear:
Stock: 9.5x18 GM Rim - 275/40R18 F1 Supercar tire (non runflat) - 43.4lbs
CCW 505a: 13x19 505a rim – 345/30R19 Pilot Sport tire – 61.2lbs
Front:
Stock: 8.5x17GM rim – 245/45R17 F1 Supercar tire (non runflat)– 40.2LBS
CCW 505a: 10x19 505a rim – 275/30R19 Pilot Sport Tire - 50.2LBS
That's a total weight gain of: 55.6lbs of rotating mass on the car. This is HUGE! In fact, I daily drive on the stock rims, as it just simply rides better, handles better, and has better top end pull. For me, $4k is a lot to have sitting there just for car shows and the odd photo. I wouldn't do it again.
So, I'd say if bling is your thing or winning car shows, then spend the $4k. Otherwise put the money into performance mods. You will enjoy the investment WAY more. The power puts a smile on my face every day. The rims don't......
It looks great and is great for car shows (it can be the difference between getting a trophy or not), but makes a definite noticeable difference in all-round performance. This is on a high HP car. I imagine it would absolutely kill performance on a near stock car.
Here's the weight differences:
Rear:
Stock: 9.5x18 GM Rim - 275/40R18 F1 Supercar tire (non runflat) - 43.4lbs
CCW 505a: 13x19 505a rim – 345/30R19 Pilot Sport tire – 61.2lbs
Front:
Stock: 8.5x17GM rim – 245/45R17 F1 Supercar tire (non runflat)– 40.2LBS
CCW 505a: 10x19 505a rim – 275/30R19 Pilot Sport Tire - 50.2LBS
That's a total weight gain of: 55.6lbs of rotating mass on the car. This is HUGE! In fact, I daily drive on the stock rims, as it just simply rides better, handles better, and has better top end pull. For me, $4k is a lot to have sitting there just for car shows and the odd photo. I wouldn't do it again.
So, I'd say if bling is your thing or winning car shows, then spend the $4k. Otherwise put the money into performance mods. You will enjoy the investment WAY more. The power puts a smile on my face every day. The rims don't......
and the results are exactly in line with the quote. Seems like lots of dinero for bling and worse performance.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I get the whole concept that lighter wheels are a performance mod. But, how many are tracking their cars with a $4K - $6K set of I-Forged, HRE's, or....?
It makes sense if you do serious track time, but to make that argument for a street car is a little much...JMHO
Nick
It makes sense if you do serious track time, but to make that argument for a street car is a little much...JMHO
Nick
I track the chit out of my car.
three sets of CCW classics - two sets of Classic tracks and one set one classic streets
CCW Classic or CCW C10 for the track
Yup could have bought a bigger motor vs wheels. Tires and brake pads eat my budget.
Plus can easily find a stock motored Z06, with suspension, wheels and the right tires that will out run almost any highly modded engine.
Last edited by AU N EGL; Apr 20, 2010 at 06:10 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
ding DING DING WINNNNAAAAaaaahh
Ppl tend to choose BLING wheels which look very very cool, but are not performance based wheels.
Soo all the high dollar performance mods go down the drain with heavy wheels and tires
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
You guys crack me up 
with all your un sprung weight hurting performance yada yada yada. Knock off 5 lbs a wheel to get 1/10th at the track.
For a 99% street driven car IT MAKES NO DIFF!
Do you also run around with your front sway bar disconnected, a 1/4 tank of race gas and you windshield fluid reservoir drained and with 40 psi in your fronts and 22 psi in you DRs on the rear?
Get what looks good.
If you want to track it get another set for the track.
with all your un sprung weight hurting performance yada yada yada. Knock off 5 lbs a wheel to get 1/10th at the track.For a 99% street driven car IT MAKES NO DIFF!
Do you also run around with your front sway bar disconnected, a 1/4 tank of race gas and you windshield fluid reservoir drained and with 40 psi in your fronts and 22 psi in you DRs on the rear?
Get what looks good.
If you want to track it get another set for the track.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 659
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento ca
wow didnt expect this much information! its awsome thanks guys!
keep it coming!
i think its about what your doing with the car, and for me its all street driving maybe a track one day but your right not gonna ride with a 1/4 tank of gas unless im tracking...
i guess a mod is what fits you best i really appriciate your guys opinions!
keep it coming!
i think its about what your doing with the car, and for me its all street driving maybe a track one day but your right not gonna ride with a 1/4 tank of gas unless im tracking...
i guess a mod is what fits you best i really appriciate your guys opinions!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
You guys crack me up with all your un sprung weight hurting performance yada yada yada. Knock off 5 lbs a wheel to get 1/10th at the track.
For a 99% street driven car IT MAKES NO DIFF!
Do you also run around with your front sway bar disconnected, a 1/4 tank of race gas and you windshield fluid reservoir drained and with 40 psi in your fronts and 22 psi in you DRs on the rear?
Get what looks good.
If you want to track it get another set for the track.
with all your un sprung weight hurting performance yada yada yada. Knock off 5 lbs a wheel to get 1/10th at the track.For a 99% street driven car IT MAKES NO DIFF!
Do you also run around with your front sway bar disconnected, a 1/4 tank of race gas and you windshield fluid reservoir drained and with 40 psi in your fronts and 22 psi in you DRs on the rear?
Get what looks good.
If you want to track it get another set for the track.
but for 100% strip or road racing, the difference is huge.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
Likes: 1,470
From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
I get the whole concept that lighter wheels are a performance mod. But, how many are tracking their cars with a $4K - $6K set of I-Forged, HRE's, or....?
It makes sense if you do serious track time, but to make that argument for a street car is a little much...JMHO
Nick
It makes sense if you do serious track time, but to make that argument for a street car is a little much...JMHO
Nick
You can say the same for superchargers, yet so many street driven cars get them. I don't understand them, especially the polished and pretty Magnuson's.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 2
From: Wildomar CA
You guys crack me up with all your un sprung weight hurting performance yada yada yada. Knock off 5 lbs a wheel to get 1/10th at the track.
For a 99% street driven car IT MAKES NO DIFF!
Do you also run around with your front sway bar disconnected, a 1/4 tank of race gas and you windshield fluid reservoir drained and with 40 psi in your fronts and 22 psi in you DRs on the rear?
Get what looks good.
If you want to track it get another set for the track.
with all your un sprung weight hurting performance yada yada yada. Knock off 5 lbs a wheel to get 1/10th at the track.For a 99% street driven car IT MAKES NO DIFF!
Do you also run around with your front sway bar disconnected, a 1/4 tank of race gas and you windshield fluid reservoir drained and with 40 psi in your fronts and 22 psi in you DRs on the rear?
Get what looks good.
If you want to track it get another set for the track.
This is why I have stock Z06 rims for my track tires.
I doubt I'm going to be outrun on the street because my tires weighed 5 lbs more. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Where's your confusion coming from? Polished Maggie's are just about the prettiest thing you can do for your engine compartment, and the extra 125 HP is fun, too. Unless you're a hard core racer, just your budget, and your personal taste will determine which mods are best for you. Sometimes, you find you've made the wrong choice, and you make corrections and move on. There's no ONE RIGHT WAY for everybody.
