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Wheel weight, major difference?

74K views 61 replies 27 participants last post by  Big Jim  
#1 ·
So I am aware, to a degree, that a light wheel is usually the best options. Now what about for everyday use? I do plan on tracking my car once and a while, but 99% of time it's to and from work. Maybe some 1/4 mile stuff also. Any case, would it be a noticeable difference between the optional forged wheels, the stock wheels, and the Ford Racing 19" RS wheels.

I have not been able to get exact weights on the stock and forged RS wheels, other than the forged are about 2 lbs lighter. So I'm thinking 20 pounds or so, the stock at 22lbs, and the Ford Racing is listed at 27lbs (according to web site).

So would it really make that BIG a difference? I really like the look of the Ford Racing white wheel. And remember, this will be a DD for the most part.
 
#4 ·
Everyday driving will definitely see a benifit from lighter wheels. In addition to having everything that benifits the car on the race track, the engine won't have to work as hard to turn those massive boat anchors. So in turn it will be more efficient and get even better gas mileage. If the stock cast wheels were down sized and Forged, that would be a weight savings of nearly 10 pounds per corner. Factor in that it is rotational mass, that 40 pounds turns into nearly a full grown persons weight being shaved off the car.
 
#5 ·
You won't notice a difference. While a lighter wheel offers many advantages, you would need to be a very experienced driver running consistent laps within a few tenths (most likely hundredths) of each other.

I'm going with the forged because they are stronger. They will stand up to the abuse of pounding the curbs on the track. they also look easier to clean.
 
#6 ·
While 2lbs at each corner wont' make much difference for handling, but the biggest gain will be in braking and acceleration. 2lbs makes a difference, not a huge one, but measurable. 5lbs at each corner would be massive. Remember this is rotating weight, not just unsprung, or even static weight.
 
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#13 · (Edited)
I think I will stick with my Ford Racing white RS wheels then if the weight is the same 27lbs. I only track on occasion and only drive 10 miles round-trip to work. I live in Las Vegas with very smooth roads and not potholes.
I'm sure they'll look sweet on the NB. Just FYI, brake dust will show up really easy. They might be a pain to keep clean.

Edit: I see you added the picture. I was right lol they do look awesome.
 
#11 ·
I understand completely the difference considering it's unsprung, rotational weight. The reality is, the OP won't notice the difference. Not even if he tried both back to back on the same day on his commute to work. Not even if he tried both back to back at the track. The PSC2's would be a very noticeable difference.

If you read my entire post, I ordered the forged. I've got a few laps under my belt. ;-)

The forged wheels will be stronger and are a great value for the price. You won't notice a difference in performance for the wheels alone. Sorry.
 
#14 ·
No offense, but the data says otherwise. 4 seconds off of a 1:30 lap time is a noticeable difference.

The tests have been great fun to do and have produced
some interesting results. I know all about the physics
of reducing unsprung weight but I have to admit I was surprised by how much
difference the Pro Race wheels made, especially on the handling circuit.
“They really did transform the car and if I didn’t know would quite happily
believe you if you told me that someone had removed 50kg from the car! I would
strongly recommend fitting lightweight wheels for anyone who wants to improve
their car, as they clearly have performance benefits in all areas.
 
#12 ·
My personal experience with this is with my current '14 FoST. I am running Cooper snows on steelies in the winter and the combination feels twice as heavy as the OEM wheels with stock tires. Aside from the obvious differences in traction between Goodyear F1 summers and the snows, I really can't tell a difference in performance of the suspension. FWIW, I'm not comparing apples to apples because they are different sizes, 17" steelies vice 18", narrower tire, and taller sidewall. Just sayin', around town no difference to me and I drive the sh1t out of my car at times.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Its not something you can really feel in the seat of the pants.

But it IS measurable.

An extreme example is the GT350R vs non-R wheels.

Do the Shelby GT350R?s Carbon-Fiber Wheels Help Performance? ? Feature ? Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog

The GT350R is an extreme example because the wheels are about 15lbs per corner lighter.

There is also this article which goes over wheel weight as well.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0gyQbgYjXzfNkJNWTRBVGRhNzA/view?usp=sharing

In the 2nd case, the wheels were 7lbs lighter per wheel. That is much larger than the 2lbs for the RS Forged rims. But you can see there are gains to be had, just nothing you will feel directly. The strongest effects will be on acceleration and braking.
 
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#15 ·
According to my handy converter, the wheels in the test were 7lbs lighter, not 2lbs like the RS forged over stock. The RS weighs more than the ST so the difference will be less noticeable. There's at least one other test out there showing heavier wheels were faster. (Tire Rack I believe)

The physics is sound. Lighter is better. You won't notice. Sorry. I'll spot you the lighter wheels at Sebring. Let's see who's faster. ;-)
 
#18 ·
Because the wheels act like a flywheel. The lighter the flywheel, the less energy it can store. So the more is actually put on the ground.
 
#22 ·
I posted this last week in "How much of a difference will the forged wheels make?"

Reply from Ford Service on Twitter:
"Ford Service ‏@FordService 20h20 hours ago @-----Good afternoon, thanks for your patience. The black forged alloy wheel weighs 25.7lbs. ^HB"


Compare that to my Team Dynamics PRO FORGED 19x8.5/5x108/46mm w/63.4 hub bore. 18.7lbs! They're my ST's summer wheels. Hope they fit my RS.
 
#24 ·
I was just answering the OP's question. 2lb lighter wheel on a DD that's tracked occasionally won't be noticed. 7lb lighter wheels on your track car that are mounted with tires that are 2lbs lighter don't really apply to the OP's question. Of course who cares what the original question was anyways.....

I never said a 7lb lighter wheel wouldn't make a measurable difference on the track with a data logger. Pretty sure I posted it would. If I didn't, let me rephrase it. 7LB LIGHTER WHEELS WILL MAKE A MEASURABLE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR CAR ON THE TRACK (if you know how to drive well enough).

18" wheels are on my radar for my RS. Weight is one of the reasons why.
 
#25 ·
Any case, would it be a noticeable difference between the optional forged wheels, the stock wheels, and the Ford Racing 19" RS wheels.
Just in case you missed the original question.
 
#27 ·
Is this thread legit or troll? Saying I got the forged wheel cause its 2lb lighter is like saying I didnt get the blue cause its less coats of paint therefore its lighter. Not to mention you probly got the sunroof too. Just take dump before you go out on track its about the same weight difference.

Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk
 
#28 ·
@swiney since I'm not rotating mass in an unsprung area so me taking a dump is not about the same overall result. Also, they are talking about about 2 lbs per corner, not sure about yours but my dumps are not between 7-8 lbs.
 
#33 ·
I do know that OE wheels are usually made better, plus they have to handle the standards set by Fed's (I assume). I have seen aftermarket wheels split in half and dent easy over potholes and bumps.

My OP was just to make sure I was not really going to screw myself by getting the white RS wheels. If the same weight as the stock RS wheels then I will be happy.
 
#35 ·
My father was in charge of Ford's tire test lab at one point. They go through a ton of testing. He rattled off a litany of standards that they have to meet and while I don't remember what they were off the top of my head, I remember I had a hard time finding any sort of test standards for most aftermarket wheels, with the exception of some European test.

If you want a durable wheel I have no doubt the OEM Forged is your best option. If it's truly forged (not just rotary forged) and it's 25 lbs it has to be a beefy wheel. However, I've bent 2 of my OEM ST rims and 1 rim on my eBay winter set (Michigan roads are awesome). I think with cast OEM rims you're getting something that has been tested not to fail catastrophically, but they are not impervious to bending. Regardless, I don't remember the roads in Vegas being that bad. I don't think you have much to worry about.
 
#40 ·
Where can we get these team dynamics wheels? I intentionally didn't get the forged wheels because I figured for $1400 I can get a pretty light set to run in the summer. 2 pounds might not make a big difference but another 7 pounds on top of that I think will make a big difference.
 
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#41 ·
I personally don't like the forged wheel look. Will be trying for something lighter and personally more appealing. I would be willing to spend money for integrity since roads here are beat up by climate changes. We can go from -15 in winter to 95 in summer...reaks havoc on roadways here.
 
#47 · (Edited)
Big wheels are "stylish". *yawn* And heavy. I'm disappointed 19"s are the only offerings aside from the winter package. With a car of this size and weight 17"s would be more appropriate performance wise. If I go with (find?) an RS I may very well fit a similar 17" or possibly an 18" package onto it.

My 2004 WRX summer shoes: 17" x 8" OZ Alleggerita with Michelin Pilot Super Sport 225/45/17. The wheels are 15.5 pounds and the tires are 22. What's the use of 350/350 at the flywheel if heavy shoes unnecessarily diminish that?