Lighter lugs?

Apr 17, 2010 | 06:33 PM

guysandiego

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From: Jacksonville, Florida

2006 E55 AMG --old cars -- E39 M5, 2.7tt Audi S4, E36 M3 **Ducati 996, 748

Lighter lugs?

There should be some out there somewhere -- I figure with people spending so much money to get 2 piece rotors because they save weight -- why not get some lighter lugs too??

Any ideas?

Apr 17, 2010 | 11:37 PM

RenntechE55

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From: Tempe, Az

CLS55 AMG 030

I dont think it would make enough of a difference on are big pigs. Now on a challenge Sradale it does cause its a very light car to start with.

Apr 17, 2010 | 11:39 PM

pimpjuice

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From: Pensacola, FL

2003 E55 AMG

my buddy in japan makes titanium lugnuts to drop rotational. i dont know what the safety of using actual bolts would be ? i can ask him....he is here until monday then he flies back to japan.

Apr 17, 2010 | 11:48 PM

mikeevo

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From: Texas

2005 Silver E55

Titanium is always better than steel but cost 3 x or more. agree with others. cheapest just to loose 5-10 lbs unless you can knock off 30-50lb or more its not going to make any difference. if you want a faster 1/4 mile , then practice your launch if you hit 1.8 1.7 60 fts your home free on street tires. then here we are adding crap to our cars which generally slow them down. stereo, bigger rims/tires, full size spare, moocher friends who want to ride along and see you race but you lose by 1/2 car cause they had to have the full meal deal with a shake.

Apr 18, 2010 | 02:13 AM

e1000

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From: OC

a quarter mile at a time

Well, titanium (and aluminum) is lighter, but it's got a shorter stress life than class 10.9 steel. Plus it's nearly impossible to find a ball seat titanium wheel bolt with the correct dimensions without them being custom made (think +$1k for a set of bolts). On top of that, lug bolts are close to the center hub, making the weight difference negligible as far as how much difference it makes. A pound close to the center of the wheel isn't as important as a pound on the outside of a wheel. It would be much easier, practical and advantageous to get lighter wheels, tires, and brake rotors.

Apr 18, 2010 | 02:29 AM

pimpjuice

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From: Pensacola, FL

2003 E55 AMG

agreed...the all the ones my buddy makes are custom....he can make the rotors as well....but still pricey!!!! Trust me I went down this road with him already....lol....my other friend has a twin turbo viper he is building. He is running the titanium lugnuts...I cant rememebr how much they figured it out to drop on rotational mass...but it was a significant amount....then again his car was pullin 9s with a supercharger....bored and TT....oh man...he is squeezin every weight drop off to get her even more nasty!

Apr 18, 2010 | 02:38 AM

e1000

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From: OC

a quarter mile at a time

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpjuice

yeah. I stil wouldn't put a titanium wheel bolt on a street car. A class 10.9 steel is very strong in a very wide variety of ways and will keep it's strength over a very long time. Even only the highest grades of stainless steel are close to matching this type of strength rating. Titanium alloys are just not as good in some metrics, and I would be wary of them due to pot holes and all kinds of other stuff daily drivers go through. Lug NUTS are a different story, they are only fasteners and won't have to put up with the same shear forces a bolt would. Aluminum is just too weak, I would absolutely not run an aluminum lug bolt, ever.