Effective Weight Saved by Lighter Wheels & Tires
03-28-2010, 04:46 PM
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2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
Effective Weight Saved by Lighter Wheels & Tires
A 1 lb weight reduction in the wheel/tire combo will net you a total of about 1.7lbs saved (.7lb rotational). The absolute maximum total savings would be 2.0 lbs, if all weight saved was ideally at the tire OD. A critical assumption is there is no change in the tire OD.
So if you drop 10 lbs per corner, the net total weight savings is 4 x 17 = 68 lbs. For a 3700 lb car and driver, that's only a 1.8% change.
The main benefit of reducing wheel/tire or any unsprung weight is handling and comfort, by increasing the tires ability to keep good contact with the road. Total unsprung weight might be 80 lbs per corner, and 10 lbs would be a 13% change ... very significant.
I provide related calculations in another thread in the Tire and Wheel Forum:
Effect of Wheel & Tire Mass on Acceleration
Best to discuss this over there.
.
So if you drop 10 lbs per corner, the net total weight savings is 4 x 17 = 68 lbs. For a 3700 lb car and driver, that's only a 1.8% change.
The main benefit of reducing wheel/tire or any unsprung weight is handling and comfort, by increasing the tires ability to keep good contact with the road. Total unsprung weight might be 80 lbs per corner, and 10 lbs would be a 13% change ... very significant.
I provide related calculations in another thread in the Tire and Wheel Forum:
Effect of Wheel & Tire Mass on Acceleration
Best to discuss this over there.
.
