Wheel/weight Dilemma
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 555
From: Western NYS
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Wheel/weight Dilemma
I've been shopping wheels for my C6 and really like the look of these, but am concerned about the additional weight.
http://www.factoryreproductions.com/...?idcategory=72
Looks to be about 3lbs more per wheel. How much will I notice the difference with the added weight? If it's not something I'll notice then I might move forward with getting them, but if it's any noticable difference, then I'd pass.
Thanks all
http://www.factoryreproductions.com/...?idcategory=72
Looks to be about 3lbs more per wheel. How much will I notice the difference with the added weight? If it's not something I'll notice then I might move forward with getting them, but if it's any noticable difference, then I'd pass.
Thanks all
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Assuming you're planning on using street tires for normal driving, you'll never notice the difference. If you're racing the car, get the lightest wheel you can afford and don't worry about how they look.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Added unsprung weight is never good, not only for handling, acceleration/braking and ride, but increased wheel bearing wear (the least of my concerns, since it's minor), especially with more aggressive offset. Whether you'll feel it or not depends what you're going to use the car for, and how 'sensitive' you are. Your only option is going with non-runflat tires, and hopefully offset that gain. By the way, what's important is the wheel/tire combo weight difference, not just the wheels. If those wheels are larger in diameter (you didn't say), and width the same, tires will be automatically lighter. And non-RFTs even more. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 555
From: Western NYS
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
As much as I'd like to take the car to the track, I don't see that happening much in the next few years, so It's pretty much going to be a street car. I'm not thrilled about the idea of adding unsprung weight for the reasons you stated, but I'm just wondering how much I'm really going to notice on the street.
The wheels are the same size as the stock C6 wheels
I'm not running on runflats currently.
Car is a Z51
In the end, it's a sports car, so if I'm going to make it noticeably worse performance wise, I would pass. Just not sure what the threshold would be before I hit that point. The fact of the matter is that I don't want to spend a fortune on wheels, but I do want something different that I like on there. I'm considering powdercoating, but am concerned about how I would go about that process of having to put the car up on jack stands. Finding affordable wheels that I like that I can just swap on seems to be the least painful option at this point.
The wheels are the same size as the stock C6 wheels
I'm not running on runflats currently.
Car is a Z51
In the end, it's a sports car, so if I'm going to make it noticeably worse performance wise, I would pass. Just not sure what the threshold would be before I hit that point. The fact of the matter is that I don't want to spend a fortune on wheels, but I do want something different that I like on there. I'm considering powdercoating, but am concerned about how I would go about that process of having to put the car up on jack stands. Finding affordable wheels that I like that I can just swap on seems to be the least painful option at this point.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 19
From: Cumming, GA
As much as I'd like to take the car to the track, I don't see that happening much in the next few years, so It's pretty much going to be a street car. I'm not thrilled about the idea of adding unsprung weight for the reasons you stated, but I'm just wondering how much I'm really going to notice on the street.
The wheels are the same size as the stock C6 wheels
I'm not running on runflats currently.
Car is a Z51
In the end, it's a sports car, so if I'm going to make it noticeably worse performance wise, I would pass. Just not sure what the threshold would be before I hit that point. The fact of the matter is that I don't want to spend a fortune on wheels, but I do want something different that I like on there. I'm considering powdercoating, but am concerned about how I would go about that process of having to put the car up on jack stands. Finding affordable wheels that I like that I can just swap on seems to be the least painful option at this point.
The wheels are the same size as the stock C6 wheels
I'm not running on runflats currently.
Car is a Z51
In the end, it's a sports car, so if I'm going to make it noticeably worse performance wise, I would pass. Just not sure what the threshold would be before I hit that point. The fact of the matter is that I don't want to spend a fortune on wheels, but I do want something different that I like on there. I'm considering powdercoating, but am concerned about how I would go about that process of having to put the car up on jack stands. Finding affordable wheels that I like that I can just swap on seems to be the least painful option at this point.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Just to give you an idea, I put 20" SRT wheels on a Grand Cherokee Overland HEMI (before getting an actual SRT), which were exactly 15 lbs heavier each (but with identical perimeter/diameter) than the stock 20s (265/50 vs 295/45), and the difference was astounding. And I'm not talking about ride, which was obviously stiffer. But the way it drove. Lethargic acceleration. And felt like I was hauling a trailer when braking. Ride wasn't that badly affected (from 50 to 45 aspect ratio), but potholes felt like there was no suspension. The whole suspension tuning and handling went to crap.
If you extrapolate from that experience, 3 lbs (1/5th of my difference) shouldn't be hardly noticeable on the street. I don't know what Vette you have, but if it's a base, have you considered the gumby wheels? They look great. But best of all, they're FORGED, so should be considerably lighter than other stock wheels. Good luck.
If you extrapolate from that experience, 3 lbs (1/5th of my difference) shouldn't be hardly noticeable on the street. I don't know what Vette you have, but if it's a base, have you considered the gumby wheels? They look great. But best of all, they're FORGED, so should be considerably lighter than other stock wheels. Good luck.
Last edited by JCtx; Jan 29, 2013 at 02:03 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
As much as I'd like to take the car to the track, I don't see that happening much in the next few years, so It's pretty much going to be a street car. I'm not thrilled about the idea of adding unsprung weight for the reasons you stated, but I'm just wondering how much I'm really going to notice on the street.
The wheels are the same size as the stock C6 wheels
I'm not running on runflats currently.
Car is a Z51
In the end, it's a sports car, so if I'm going to make it noticeably worse performance wise, I would pass. Just not sure what the threshold would be before I hit that point. The fact of the matter is that I don't want to spend a fortune on wheels, but I do want something different that I like on there. I'm considering powdercoating, but am concerned about how I would go about that process of having to put the car up on jack stands. Finding affordable wheels that I like that I can just swap on seems to be the least painful option at this point.
The wheels are the same size as the stock C6 wheels
I'm not running on runflats currently.
Car is a Z51
In the end, it's a sports car, so if I'm going to make it noticeably worse performance wise, I would pass. Just not sure what the threshold would be before I hit that point. The fact of the matter is that I don't want to spend a fortune on wheels, but I do want something different that I like on there. I'm considering powdercoating, but am concerned about how I would go about that process of having to put the car up on jack stands. Finding affordable wheels that I like that I can just swap on seems to be the least painful option at this point.
Since you changed from RF to non-RF did you notice a difference in weight? Or was the handling, etc. improved/reduced by the tire type?
The weight of a new tire vs. one with ~2-3/32 remaining is ballpark around 5 pounds. So do you notice any problems when you put on new tires?
The tire itself is far more responsible for how the car handles than the weight of the wheel.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 555
From: Western NYS
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
I wish I could answer that for you! I purchased the car with new tires on it which weren't the run flats 
I'm concerned about these wheels because I found them in a different location and they were listed at about 5-6lbs more per wheel. Not sure who to trust! I really might have to figure out a way to have the stock ones powdercoated...
Thank you to everyone who has helped so far with this!
I'm concerned about these wheels because I found them in a different location and they were listed at about 5-6lbs more per wheel. Not sure who to trust! I really might have to figure out a way to have the stock ones powdercoated...
Thank you to everyone who has helped so far with this!
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 10
From: Sacramento California
I want to get new rims but refuse to add weight to the car in doing so since I like going to the drag strip once in a while. And I have yet to find an affordable alternative to the stock ones that are also lighter. Good luck in your search and keep us posted!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 104
From: Texas
I have been looking around at aftermarket wheels too.
Here is the problem:
They weigh allot and sellers that dont list the weight know it.
Example the new Cray Hawks weight 31 lbs 19x rear I was told from Discount tire.
They all seem to be made in china too....
Just expect to gain 20 to 25lbs with replicas over stock.
Best ones I have found are TSW I think they are assembled in China but TSW has strict guidelines and they are forged. Can get a set around 1250 approximately and Weight is actually lower then stock too.
The high priced 4k + forged wheels just seem to be too high priced and will certainly give you buyers remorse after a couple months.
just my .02 cents...
Here is the problem:
They weigh allot and sellers that dont list the weight know it.
Example the new Cray Hawks weight 31 lbs 19x rear I was told from Discount tire.
They all seem to be made in china too....
Just expect to gain 20 to 25lbs with replicas over stock.
Best ones I have found are TSW I think they are assembled in China but TSW has strict guidelines and they are forged. Can get a set around 1250 approximately and Weight is actually lower then stock too.
The high priced 4k + forged wheels just seem to be too high priced and will certainly give you buyers remorse after a couple months.
just my .02 cents...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 104
From: Texas
TRUTH ^^^^ I got the z06 replicas and they weight a ton...now that I upgraded to a supercharger ...getting rid of them for something else...unsure still.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 10
From: Sacramento California
I have been looking around at aftermarket wheels too.
Here is the problem:
They weigh allot and sellers that dont list the weight know it.
Example the new Cray Hawks weight 31 lbs 19x rear I was told from Discount tire.
They all seem to be made in china too....
Just expect to gain 20 to 25lbs with replicas over stock.
Best ones I have found are TSW I think they are assembled in China but TSW has strict guidelines and they are forged. Can get a set around 1250 approximately and Weight is actually lower then stock too.
The high priced 4k + forged wheels just seem to be too high priced and will certainly give you buyers remorse after a couple months.
just my .02 cents...
Here is the problem:
They weigh allot and sellers that dont list the weight know it.
Example the new Cray Hawks weight 31 lbs 19x rear I was told from Discount tire.
They all seem to be made in china too....
Just expect to gain 20 to 25lbs with replicas over stock.
Best ones I have found are TSW I think they are assembled in China but TSW has strict guidelines and they are forged. Can get a set around 1250 approximately and Weight is actually lower then stock too.
The high priced 4k + forged wheels just seem to be too high priced and will certainly give you buyers remorse after a couple months.
just my .02 cents...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 19
From: Cumming, GA
Just to give you an idea, I put 20" SRT wheels on a Grand Cherokee Overland HEMI (before getting an actual SRT), which were exactly 15 lbs heavier each (but with identical perimeter/diameter) than the stock 20s (265/50 vs 295/45), and the difference was astounding. And I'm not talking about ride, which was obviously stiffer. But the way it drove. Lethargic acceleration. And felt like I was hauling a trailer when braking. Ride wasn't that badly affected (from 50 to 45 aspect ratio), but potholes felt like there was no suspension. The whole suspension tuning and handling went to crap.
If you extrapolate from that experience, 3 lbs (1/5th of my difference) shouldn't be hardly noticeable on the street. I don't know what Vette you have, but if it's a base, have you considered the gumby wheels? They look great. But best of all, they're FORGED, so should be considerably lighter than other stock wheels. Good luck.
If you extrapolate from that experience, 3 lbs (1/5th of my difference) shouldn't be hardly noticeable on the street. I don't know what Vette you have, but if it's a base, have you considered the gumby wheels? They look great. But best of all, they're FORGED, so should be considerably lighter than other stock wheels. Good luck.
15lbs a wheel.....
That definitely slows things down!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 58
Likes: 8
From: Littleton CO
My 2010 1LT coupe came with the optional chrome "forged" wheels. Are the standard non-chrome wheels also forged or are they a "cast" wheel? Since my wheels were a $1850 option, I wouldn't think all that went into the cost of the chromimg. - Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 440
Likes: 6
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
. And yes, that's what GM charges just for the chrome option.As far as I know, only the 'gumby' wheels have been forged on the Vette. All others are cast. The only ones I'm not sure about are the Z06/ZR1 19/20 cup wheels. But am almost positive are cast, since no word on being forged.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
TSW Interlagos 18x9 is 18.3lbs and the 19x10.5 is 23.9lbs.
http://www.tsw.com/alloy_wheels_interlagos.php
http://www.tsw.com/alloy_wheels_interlagos.php
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 10
From: Sacramento California
TSW Interlagos 18x9 is 18.3lbs and the 19x10.5 is 23.9lbs.
http://www.tsw.com/alloy_wheels_interlagos.php
http://www.tsw.com/alloy_wheels_interlagos.php
