GM wants to offer Carbon Fiber Wheels on Corvettes
11-16-2017, 01:37 PM
#21
Melting Slicks
Maybe if they combined it with Warranty coverage for other performance mods (CAI, ported bits and peices, headers, etc) that would logically also be on a car with carbon fiber wheels ?
Just spitballin here. GM.. pfft
Just spitballin here. GM.. pfft
11-16-2017, 02:44 PM
#24
Le Mans Master
It would be very interesting to find out how much horsepower is used in the acceleration of the flywheels on each corner of the car.
35# reduction of rotating mass on each corner has to equate to some noticeable increase in acceleration. Not to mention the overall reduction in vehicle weight and the reduction in unsprung weight. If you changed to CF wheels it may require changing shocks.
Braking would also be improved by the lighter wheels.
It would seem to me that the improvement in the overall dynamics of the car could be so substantial that the cost would seem like a bargain.
35# reduction of rotating mass on each corner has to equate to some noticeable increase in acceleration. Not to mention the overall reduction in vehicle weight and the reduction in unsprung weight. If you changed to CF wheels it may require changing shocks.
Braking would also be improved by the lighter wheels.
It would seem to me that the improvement in the overall dynamics of the car could be so substantial that the cost would seem like a bargain.
And why are our only options POS heavy cast wheels that bend over every pebble on the road or $8k carbon fiber wheels (and who knows how durable they are).
Seriously- just good forged wheels.
Last edited by village idiot; 11-16-2017 at 02:46 PM.
11-16-2017, 02:55 PM
#25
Heel & Toe
Define "big". I think the biggest buyer will be manufacturers of high end exotics. How big of market is there in the privateer world for $12k wheels. How many cars will they go on that the driver will actually need or use the performance advantage? I bet 75% of high performance car owners don't know how to properly drive one at better than 8/10ths, so the advantage is nil.
Last edited by Powdergod; 11-16-2017 at 02:55 PM.
11-16-2017, 02:57 PM
#26
Heel & Toe
Unless they have negative weight, you're not going to lose 35lbs a corner.
And why are our only options POS heavy cast wheels that bend over every pebble on the road or $8k carbon fiber wheels (and who knows how durable they are).
Seriously- just good forged wheels.
And why are our only options POS heavy cast wheels that bend over every pebble on the road or $8k carbon fiber wheels (and who knows how durable they are).
Seriously- just good forged wheels.
11-16-2017, 02:57 PM
#27
Le Mans Master
Define "big". I think the biggest buyer will be manufacturers of high end exotics. How big of market is there in the privateer world for $12k wheels. How many cars will they go on that the driver will actually need or use the performance advantage? I bet 75% of high performance car owners don't know how to properly drive one at better than 8/10ths, so the advantage is nil.
11-19-2017, 08:32 PM
#28
Corvette Enthusiast
Member Since: Oct 2005
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Two things:
1. The mid-engine will probably have carbon fiber wheels (assuming they can get them to stop melting from the heat generated by the carbon ceramic brakes).
2. Buddy of mine has a GT350R, wheels on that car are $4k-5k a pop, he was in a minor incident and two wheels got scuffed, insurance is replacing both at a cost of $9k to them.
1. The mid-engine will probably have carbon fiber wheels (assuming they can get them to stop melting from the heat generated by the carbon ceramic brakes).
2. Buddy of mine has a GT350R, wheels on that car are $4k-5k a pop, he was in a minor incident and two wheels got scuffed, insurance is replacing both at a cost of $9k to them.
11-19-2017, 09:20 PM
#30
Race Director
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I've got a feeling that most Vette drivers, from what I've seen, could afford to lose 30 or more pounds themselves. This would be cheaper and make a bigger difference in all aspects of their longer lives. 
The following 2 users liked this post by Avanti:
GregNYC (11-19-2017),
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11-19-2017, 09:28 PM
#31
Advanced
I'll keep my eyes on this. The money is not prohibitive compared to the benefits I think I'd see. But I won't be an early adopter.....
Last edited by GregNYC; 11-19-2017 at 09:28 PM.
11-20-2017, 08:44 PM
#32
For the carbon fiber fans.
Article From Road & Track: http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...maro-cadillac/
Article From Road & Track: http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...maro-cadillac/
12-02-2017, 05:57 AM
#34
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Nov 2000
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still waiting :-0
For the carbon fiber fans.
Article From Road & Track: http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...maro-cadillac/
Article From Road & Track: http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...maro-cadillac/
Wish they did this, as handling and performance, fuel economy etc. all benefit from a lighter wheel/tire combo.....
12-02-2017, 06:48 AM
#35
Burning Brakes
On the reviews those wheels made a world of difference comparing the Shelby GT350R compared to the GT350. It was like driving a much better performance car. But that technology is to expensive at this time, hopefully in the future they lower those prices to make them more accessible to performance fans. I would hate to have to pay for a replacement $$$
12-02-2017, 12:38 PM
#37
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
Why? CF can be painted any color you want including the newer simulated chrome painting process. There was a discussion about this on these forums within the last 6 weeks.
If there's a demand for them, chrome colored CF wheels will be available.
I ride CF bikes and am familiar with what happens when CF fails. I think I'll be on the side watching this one.
Also, I would never, never ever buy knock offs sold on ebay. There has been serious problems with CF bike frame look-alikes sold cheap on ebay that don't have the structural integrity of the original manufacturer's design. CF has it's own unique set of issues that we don't see in other materials used in cars.
If there's a demand for them, chrome colored CF wheels will be available.
I ride CF bikes and am familiar with what happens when CF fails. I think I'll be on the side watching this one.
Also, I would never, never ever buy knock offs sold on ebay. There has been serious problems with CF bike frame look-alikes sold cheap on ebay that don't have the structural integrity of the original manufacturer's design. CF has it's own unique set of issues that we don't see in other materials used in cars.
12-02-2017, 12:46 PM
#38
Team Owner
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Plus would like something better looking also.
12-02-2017, 09:17 PM
#39
Drifting
I took 70 lbs of un-sprung weight out of one of my vehicles by going to smaller diameter much lighter wheels/tires and cut my 1/4 mi times. Also vehicle drove/handled much better and got equal mileage even though wheels were over 10% less tall.
On my 15' Z71 A8, I kept the factory wheels but got non-run-flat Michelin Pilot SS, which dropped my un-sprung weight by about 16 lbs overall.
However, I doubt very many people will pay $3,000. to $4,000. for a wheel when they really are only beneficial at the track.
12-02-2017, 09:42 PM
#40
Advanced
What’s the difference of weight between run flat vs non runflats tires ? How much unsprung mass can be reduced ? The wheels would be nice to have if it was an option or the price was built into the car. But would the 19s and 20s on the car be the right size for people who care about reducing un sprung mass such as track guys. Wouldn’t they be running race inspired smaller wheels with track tires ? If more tire options where available for 19s and 20s would a track guy chose the 19s and 20s. I’m use to seeing 18s on track cars. Wasn’t sure if it was for money saving on tires or an advantage elsewhere.
