Heavier wheels yet wider + or - acceleration

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Feb 25, 2005 | 11:15 PM

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Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Hernando MS

Heavier wheels yet wider + or - acceleration

I am swapping to a wider wheel set up in the rear. My previous set of wheels weighed in at 23lbs 10.5" wide and my new set weighs in at 27 lbs 12" wide. The 335 tires I am putting on weighs 1 pound heavier than the old 295's. I have a total of 5 lbs more tire wheel weight but much more rubber on the ground. How will this effect accleration I have 500 RWHP.

Feb 26, 2005 | 12:12 AM

99SilverC5Coupe

Drifting

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From: Wentzville, MO.

With 500rwhp I'd imagine traction is more of an issue than weight of wheels and tires...

Feb 26, 2005 | 12:16 AM

vetterlatethannever

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99SilverC5Coupe

With 500rwhp I'd imagine traction is more of an issue than weight of wheels and tires...

but it's just guessing with me......

Feb 26, 2005 | 04:41 AM

cmeflyby

Burning Brakes

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From: Alhambra Calismognazifornia, in the country everyone comes just to complain but won't go back home!

all that HP isn't gonna do you one damn bit of good if you can't hook up, and unless you switch to DOT-R's that means going wider. i guess if it's a track car and the weight issue is that critical you might opt for a smaller diameter wheel along with the width increase (i'm assuming you're talking about stock diameter wheels in your question) to keep the weight down...

Feb 26, 2005 | 09:06 AM

6Speeder

Safety Car

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From: Albuquerque NM

Depends on how sticky the tires are. If they give you a better launch or allow more power to the ground earlier, then they will help. You can figure the rotating weight you added to be like losing 10 hp.

FWIW I went from a set of Dunlop 335's on 11" wheels to a set of 315 BFG G force TA/KD's and got more traction = better launches, more power to the ground. Yes, I know the 335's were too wide for the wheels.

Feb 26, 2005 | 09:15 AM

shurite44

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2004

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From: Shiloh Ohio

hard to say

It is not easy to predict that. Depends on if you were spinning before, how much you were spinning. The weight will of course slow your launch some. With that said it could be slower, faster, or the same.

Feb 26, 2005 | 12:05 PM

Allthrottleandsomebottle

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From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.

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My power is near the same NA with an A4.
IMHEO you will not notice it.
Its a catch 22 depending on your use of the car.
I drag race, road race & auto X. The larger tires have helped in all three and the streetability of the power.
Increasing unsprung weight is never a good thing by the book for acceleration, but the real world results are what matter. If you add over 10 lbs of total weight, add another 10-25 rwhp.....have a nice day.
My combo weights below for 10s:
The HRE rims on my 97:
HRE 18 x 9.5 545 w/ brushed aluminum & clear coated center +58mm, 22lbs
HRE 18 x 12 545 w/ brushed aluminum & clear coated center +74mm, 27lbs

Here are the tire/rim weights I run on my cars now, all combos include oem 1997-2000 wheel sensors.......

HRE 18" x 12 545 w/ 345/30/18 BFG DRS 57lbs
HRE 18 x 9.5 545 w/ 275/35/18 BFG KDWs 52lbs
HRE 18" x 12 545 w/ 345/35/18 EXPEDIA S-O1 9/32 tread 64lbs