Wheels Affect Speed or Acceleration?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Los Angeles
2002 c230k
Yes, as Mach430 said, weight makes a difference. Even more important is the diameter of the overall tire/wheel package. The gearing of the car is designed around a ratio related to the radius of the tire/wheel. Remember the tire/wheel converts rotaional force to linear force to drive the car. The size of the tire/wheel changes the relative torque require to turn it. A bigger combo will be harder to turn but more distance will be covered per turn, smaller is easier but less distance is traveled. The larger combo aslo puts more strain on the drivetrain components under acceleration. Stick with the designed size for reliability.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
I think that Mach was talking about the rims only. Any good plus sizing will allow for keeping the overall diameter the same.
If I read his comments right, a larger wheel puts more mass further out from the center, which requires more force to get it turning. It's also not supported by the suspension (unsprung), so that has more effect on acceleration than say, an extra couple of pounds in the passenger area.
Width also has a similar effect on acceleration - more contact patch, more friction, but that has the benefit to handling, so you'd have to weigh the two against each other for a happy medium.
If I read his comments right, a larger wheel puts more mass further out from the center, which requires more force to get it turning. It's also not supported by the suspension (unsprung), so that has more effect on acceleration than say, an extra couple of pounds in the passenger area.
Width also has a similar effect on acceleration - more contact patch, more friction, but that has the benefit to handling, so you'd have to weigh the two against each other for a happy medium.
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Sport Compact Car Magazine did a test last year on how the rim size affect the track time.
They did a test with 14" 15" 16" 17" wheels and they turn out that 16" wheels has better performace with 15" very close and far better than 14". 17" are the worst.
their reasoning is that Plus Sizing increase the contact area and improve handling and therefore increase peformance on twisties. bigger heavier wheels might hurt straight line performance.
Well for drag racing u might want to use like 14" 15" drag racials on track u might wanna use slightly bigger rim size that will fit your brake!
They did a test with 14" 15" 16" 17" wheels and they turn out that 16" wheels has better performace with 15" very close and far better than 14". 17" are the worst.
their reasoning is that Plus Sizing increase the contact area and improve handling and therefore increase peformance on twisties. bigger heavier wheels might hurt straight line performance.
Well for drag racing u might want to use like 14" 15" drag racials on track u might wanna use slightly bigger rim size that will fit your brake!
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Southern CA
Originally posted by tommy
I think that Mach was talking about the rims only. Any good plus sizing will allow for keeping the overall diameter the same.
If I read his comments right, a larger wheel puts more mass further out from the center, which requires more force to get it turning. It's also not supported by the suspension (unsprung), so that has more effect on acceleration than say, an extra couple of pounds in the passenger area.
Width also has a similar effect on acceleration - more contact patch, more friction, but that has the benefit to handling, so you'd have to weigh the two against each other for a happy medium.
I think that Mach was talking about the rims only. Any good plus sizing will allow for keeping the overall diameter the same.
If I read his comments right, a larger wheel puts more mass further out from the center, which requires more force to get it turning. It's also not supported by the suspension (unsprung), so that has more effect on acceleration than say, an extra couple of pounds in the passenger area.
Width also has a similar effect on acceleration - more contact patch, more friction, but that has the benefit to handling, so you'd have to weigh the two against each other for a happy medium.
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Mach....
I am just wondering...i might be getting a Brabus V on my car...
My mechanic told me i might need fender modification..is that true??
I had already lowered my car with HnR....the brabus are 18'...what tyre size do you recommand? and what offsets?? i need some help here...don't wanna depend too much on him ( you know.....he know things that i don't...and can make huge bucks out of me..although he is a nice guy)
I am just wondering...i might be getting a Brabus V on my car...
My mechanic told me i might need fender modification..is that true??
I had already lowered my car with HnR....the brabus are 18'...what tyre size do you recommand? and what offsets?? i need some help here...don't wanna depend too much on him ( you know.....he know things that i don't...and can make huge bucks out of me..although he is a nice guy)
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From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Originally posted by gab
on track u might wanna use slightly bigger rim size that will fit your brake!
on track u might wanna use slightly bigger rim size that will fit your brake!
Cheers, BT.
