Larger diameter wheels vs. torque
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 46
From: Vienna VA
Larger diameter wheels vs. torque
I am considering buying bigger wheels for my 97. I am curious about what 19” rear wheels might do to rear wheel torque? I do take my car to the drags every now and again. Can I expect slightly slower quarter mile times?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,134
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From: NM
Are you looking to change the overall diam of the wheel/tire combo? Usualy when you go to a larger wheel you use a sorter sidewall on the tire and keep the overall diam the same. Then there is no change.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 47,647
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From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Here's an interesting thought. Larger diameter wheels will most likely be heavier than your stock wheels which add alot of unsprung weight to your vette. On the other hand, you'll probably install non-runflat tires which will counter the wheel weight. The final weight of your wheels and weight may affect your 1/4 mile times slightly. As far as larger diameter wheels, it shouldn't matter since your tire's sidewalls will compensate for the larger wheel diameter.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 46
From: Vienna VA
I didn't think of that. Would anyone know the aspect ratio that I need to put on to have the same height as my stock wheels/tires. I would like to put on 305's or 315's in the back. I would also like to keep the same height in the front (probably going with 275's there).
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
In addition to the added weight of the larger wheel, that 19" wheel takes longer to rotate around, i.e. larger wheels will slow your car down.
So larger wheels may look
But . .
the added weight, more rotational time, and added HP to go the same speed. What I see is slower car. Or am I missing something here??
Good luck
So larger wheels may look
But . . the added weight, more rotational time, and added HP to go the same speed. What I see is slower car. Or am I missing something here??
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 2
From: New Jersey
testpros this thread isn't the same subject, but it's does have info on tire sizes and how to figure out overall diameters, scroll through the thread. The info is all over the place 
:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=995795
A larger overall diameter of the tire or increase in weight will slow the car down as already stated.
:http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=995795
A larger overall diameter of the tire or increase in weight will slow the car down as already stated.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 46
From: Vienna VA
Hum, wonder why the C6 is using larger wheels?
The whole reason why I'm interested in this issue is because I want C6 wheels but I don't want to buy reproduction wheels (because of all the cracking problems I've heard about on this forum). I don't want the added weight, but would probably break even due to the fact that repros are heavier.
Thanks for the link Mighty-Mouse.
The whole reason why I'm interested in this issue is because I want C6 wheels but I don't want to buy reproduction wheels (because of all the cracking problems I've heard about on this forum). I don't want the added weight, but would probably break even due to the fact that repros are heavier.
Thanks for the link Mighty-Mouse.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Originally Posted by testpros
Hum, wonder why the C6 is using larger wheels?
The whole reason why I'm interested in this issue is because I want C6 wheels but I don't want to buy reproduction wheels (because of all the cracking problems I've heard about on this forum). I don't want the added weight, but would probably break even due to the fact that repros are heavier.
Thanks for the link Mighty-Mouse.
The whole reason why I'm interested in this issue is because I want C6 wheels but I don't want to buy reproduction wheels (because of all the cracking problems I've heard about on this forum). I don't want the added weight, but would probably break even due to the fact that repros are heavier.
Thanks for the link Mighty-Mouse.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
In addition to the added weight of the larger wheel, that 19" wheel takes longer to rotate around, i.e. larger wheels will slow your car down.
So larger wheels may look But . .
the added weight, more rotational time, and added HP to go the same speed. What I see is slower car. Or am I missing something here??
Good luck
So larger wheels may look
But . . the added weight, more rotational time, and added HP to go the same speed. What I see is slower car. Or am I missing something here??
Good luck
Roger that.