Effects of a lightened flywheel + bigger rims and l/p tires.

[tochigidream]

Ok everyone,
When you get larger wheels, they often have more unsprung weight than the smaller ones, especially since you normally get lower profile tires, which also weigh more.
The question I have is: would a lightened flywheel in addition to the heavier wheel/tire package compensate for the added wheel/tire weight? Also, if so, how beneficial would this be?

Please, knowledgeable answers only... no wild guesses!

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Jimbo]

It's a complex calculation. It's not merely unsprung weight, it's rotational inertia too.

The lighter flywheel will help with engine acceleration and in turn car acceleration and heavier wheels/tires hurt car acceleration.

-Jim

 

[ncdogdoc]

I would not pick a lightened flywheel to offset the heavier wheel/tire setup. The main reason being that a lightened flywheel can sometimes make clutch let out more difficult, and now you are trying to rotate something with much higher mass, and that mass at the periphery of rotation. I think overall you would more likely stall your car more often and not really improve acceleration times.

I would consider a different R&P as the best compensation for heavier wheels and tires, besides forced induction

 

[X-TNSIV]

I've got both the lightened fly and bigger wheels...and my car still feels MUCH SLOWER!!!

Allen

 

[DONYMO]

I would not pick a lightened flywheel to offset the heavier wheel/tire setup. The main reason being that a lightened flywheel can sometimes make clutch let out more difficult, and now you are trying to rotate something with much higher mass, and that mass at the periphery of rotation. I think overall you would more likely stall your car more often and not really improve acceleration times.

I would consider a different R&P as the best compensation for heavier wheels and tires, besides forced induction

That's an impressive explanation for a dog doctor!!!

 

[Brian2by2]

hmm...i went from stock 16/17 to 18/18 Racing Harts and the difference wasn't THAT noticeable. More with handling...the 18's were wider and gripped better, but the 16/17 turned sharper (more responsive).

The acceleration differences weren't that much, but I am looking forward to running my car with the 16/17's to see how much of a time difference we're looking at.

Buy some track tires so that when u want to race, u have lightweight rims (stock are best..15/16 or 16/17) and then run your bigger wheels daily and enjoy looking 'better'

Flywheel's rock!!