Drag Racing Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1/4 Reduction from skinnies

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 2, 2009 | 11:40 AM
  #1  
FRCBobby's Avatar
Thread Starter
FormerVendor
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Exclamation 1/4 Reduction from skinnies

Hey guys, just wanted to ask some of you hardcore racers if you know of a formula or guide to go by to give anide of how much 1/4 time I will pickup by changing my front wheels over to skinnies.

My wheels now weight 57lbs EACH as they are 18's with runflats. With these on the front I have ran 10.68@ 131

Thanks
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2009 | 05:36 PM
  #2  
99TransAmLS16Spd's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Morris, IL
Default

From everything I've everything I've ever read, every lb of rotational mass is equal to 2-8lbs of static weight, with 4lbs being a pretty close number for wheels.
So if you swapped to a skinny combo that was 30lbs per tire/rim, it would be like cutting about 200lbs from your car while in motion.
And you'll have removed 50lbs + from the front of the car making for better weight transfer.

I would think, based on your current ets, you would pick up a tenth. Like anything, it's hard to say - it could be more.

Keep in mind that skinny rims and tires come in a large variety - my MTs on 15x3.5" rims are still fairly heavy, I would guess in the 30lb range, while I have had my hands on a set of Weld Magnums with tire, and could have picked the thing up with my pinky.
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2009 | 08:25 PM
  #3  
FRCBobby's Avatar
Thread Starter
FormerVendor
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Default

The skinny package would be right at 28lbs. So it would be losing 29LB off each side. So a total rotational weight loss of 58LB's
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2009 | 09:01 PM
  #4  
358chevycamaro's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: Ashland, Ky
Default

Take that thing to the KyHorsepower shootout this Sunday Bobby and run a pass or two with the 18's and the run flats and then throw on a set of skinnies!!

And FWIW if you are planning on purchasing set of skinnies for nothing but strictly track use (which I am assuming you are) go with a true drag tire up front. My Moroso Drag Special's weighed in at 10.5 lbs lighter per tire than a cheap 165 metric radial tire like you typically see on skinnies. Good luck man!
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2009 | 08:16 AM
  #5  
FRCBobby's Avatar
Thread Starter
FormerVendor
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Default

Yeah I am gonna throw the tires on GTO spares for this Shootout, then pick up a set of the new Racestar wheels before the Spring Shootout. I plan on getting the M&H 26x4.5x17's
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2009 | 10:07 AM
  #6  
mrdragster1970's Avatar
6 & 8 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 0
From: Illinois, RT 66 dragway area
Default


.

Between the weight, smoother rolling resistance and thinner tire cutting through the air, it definitely helps.
It's not one of those huge things, but one of the bunch of little things we do that add up.
I've let guys borrow my little skinny tires and alum wheel, and take off their old skinny steel wheel and VW tire.
Was it noticeable, yes. Was it worth hundreds of dollars, maybe not by itself.
Like I said, when you start doing all the little things, they add up.

Good luck.

.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 11:33 AM
  #7  
Villain281H's Avatar
7 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,834
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, Florida # of drag strips runs: ?!?!?
Default

as there might have been a thread on this before. If not, if you do, create a thread with weights before and after, and if possible, run them both back-to-back at the track to find out the differences.

I'm planning a wheel swap on my Nova shortly and that's what I'm planning (weights on both set-ups down to the lug nuts, then making passes on both combos back-to-back).

Derek
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2009 | 11:47 AM
  #8  
FRCBobby's Avatar
Thread Starter
FormerVendor
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Default

I have the tires on the way and will be running it this weekend. I will try to make back to back passes with both setups, just depends on how far I make it in the street class.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:12 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE