Stock wheel weights

[aaronrun]

I searched but couldn't find on stats on the stock wheel weights. I'm most interested in the 15" swirlee weight.

[aaronrun]

Bump

[5whiskey]

I'm reviving it from the dead so no one can PUTSB me...

I'm very interested in this topic... I don't have a ton of money hanging around to buy lightweight wheels, but on the other hand I realize something as forgotten as wheels can really hurt car performance. I would love to get the cheapest light rim possible.

Does anyone know how much the stock rims weigh? I know Ford switched up the stock rims in 2000 I think. My 99.5 had 5 spoke rims and my 2000 has 6 spoke swirled rims. Anyone know which of these are lighter? I don't care about looks as much as I do performance. Any chance of going to the local pic-n-pull and scoring something that'll fit up and be much lighter (ie, stock rims from another ride that'll fit and be a bit lighter)? Don't even care if it's off of a Z, as long as it looks presentable and is lighter than what I have (unless what I have is light to begin with).

[AZN_ZX2]

IIRC around 17-20 lbs each

[5whiskey]

Anyone know what a nice, stock, lightweight, liable to be hanging around in a junkyard option is? Didn't Honda HXs have an ultra-lightweight stock rim? Something like 13 lbs, or so I've heard.

[capitalcrew]

Miata wheels would be your best bet for cheap performance. Style sucks though.

http://www.miata.net/faq/wheel_weights.html

[ZX2guy19]

Isn't this the guy that scammed everyone out of 1,000's of dollars?

[capitalcrew]

Isn't this the guy that scammed everyone out of 1,000's of dollars?

I've been pondering that since I saw the topic.

[capitalcrew]

Of course its irrelevant considering its from may of 08.. but still.

[5whiskey]

Isn't this the guy that scammed everyone out of 1,000's of dollars?

talking bout the OP?

Also, thanks cap. Off to the P&P tomorrow to look for an old crashed miata.

[capitalcrew]

Yup and good luck man.

[5whiskey]

once more and I'll be done...

Opinion of others... would 14x5.5s be too small to fit over the rotor? I know it's more difficult to find good rubber for 14s, which may add (or detract) from the cost.

Also, how big of a difference would 5 lbs per wheel actually be? It looks like it would make a much bigger difference than 20 lbs gutted from the interior, as you're taking rotational weight out of it. Will it be a noticable performance gain to lose 5 lbs per wheel?

[ZX2 Sleeper]

Seriously, I never noticed a difference from my heavy 17inch rims, to my swirlies, to my rota slipstreems. Your not going to feel the difference like you would adding a performance cat back on or a nice intake. Tires is what makes the car faster, traction is good! :)

[TSmiley98]

Seriously, I never noticed a difference from my heavy 17inch rims, to my swirlies, to my rota slipstreems. Your not going to feel the difference like you would adding a performance cat back on or a nice intake. Tires is what makes the car faster, traction is good! :)

did you run a timed race with each of these different wheels? I am sure you would notice some difference on a drag strip. we are not talking seconds but rather tenths

[capitalcrew]

Each pound of rotational weight is supposed to be equal to 1hp isn't it.? roughly anyways.

[TSmiley98]

to an extent, you cant remove 10 lbs and gain 10 hp, but it does reduce parasitic drag, and improove acceleration. Rotational weight reduction improves performance alot better than removing non rotating weight

[capitalcrew]

Indeed. Hence the fidanza flyhwheel being such a good mod.

[5whiskey]

I've found a pair of 14" miata rims for $100. Has tires, but they won't last much longer. I can probably sell my z rims, with good tires, and offset the cost of the miata rims plus new tires. Maybe get out of the deal for $200 with light wheels and brand new tires, plus the wheels are at least 5lbs lighter (per wheel). Any thoughts?

[TSmiley98]

buy em if you are looking for light wheels cheap

[zxtwou2]

once more and I'll be done...

Opinion of others... would 14x5.5s be too small to fit over the rotor? I know it's more difficult to find good rubber for 14s, which may add (or detract) from the cost.

Also, how big of a difference would 5 lbs per wheel actually be? It looks like it would make a much bigger difference than 20 lbs gutted from the interior, as you're taking rotational weight out of it. Will it be a noticable performance gain to lose 5 lbs per wheel?

the 14x5.5 is an awful skinny wheel. traction trumps any gains in shed rotational weight IMO (at least for me, where i am carving corners constantly). i would say a 15x7 or 15x7.5 would be amazing. best of both worlds, light and you can put a 215 tire on it. if you wanted everything perfect, you could go through Diamond Wheels and have custom wheels made with the offset, diameter, width, etc that you want..and they are used by a LOT of racers in various types of racing.

5lbs per wheel will make a good difference, if the diameter is the same. for instance, a 15lb 17" wheel will be more parasitic than a 15lb 15" wheel...because the further the weight is from the center of rotation, the more it takes to turn it, therefore, will suck away more power. it might be noticable, it might not. for someone with a weight reduced car like mine (2220 lbs) would notice a difference more than someone with a stock weight car (2478 lbs).