Question about effect of wheel weight on dyno
Question about effect of wheel weight on dyno This may be a stupid question but I don't know the answer so take it easy. I'm getting a dyno tune done and had been wondering about my wheels. I've got 18's on the car and they are heavier than the stock wheels. I was wondering if they would affect my dyno #'s at all. I know that higher unsprung weight will slow the car down some but didn't know if it actually affected the amount of power getting to the ground.
Last edited by LS1DER; Nov 3, 2007 at 06:51 AM.
Wheel weight has a VERY significant effect on dyno #'s. The effect on track times is slightly less, as the added weight adds a tiny bit to traction (although the net result is still negative).
The increased weight and increased diameter of the wheels both add to them having greater inertia (resistance to rotation).
The greater the inertia, the more torque required to rotate the wheels.
The greater the inertia, the more torque required to rotate the wheels.
So does that mean heavier wheels cause lower hp results on the dyno? I did mine with 18/19 wheels.
Depends on the dyno. If you have a dyno with no load cell, yes, heavier wheels make a difference as the power numbers are calculated using known roller weight. If you're using a load-cell dyno, wheels make very little difference as torque is measured using a strain-gauge. On our Mustang dyno (load-cell dyno, a kick-*** unit if I may say so myself!), you won't see the difference from one set of wheels to another, but you will see the power drop from a quality 93 octane fuel to some no-name brand. We've tested, tried, and proven this many times over. Anyway, don't worry about the wheels...the test running temps will vary your numbers far more than a few extra pounds in the wheels. Just go out and have fun with the test!!
The only way a heavier wheel will not hurt you is if you slow down the pull time which you can do with a loaded dyno. If you are accelerating a heavier wheel you are spending torque in places other than the inertia dyno drum or load cell.
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I wasn't concerned to much with the numbers being lower but it just had me curious of whether it made a difference or not and I did have fun. The link below are my results and video.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamometer-results-comparisons/809111-my-first-dyno-pull-today-chart-video-inside.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamometer-results-comparisons/809111-my-first-dyno-pull-today-chart-video-inside.html
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