Power robbing wheels?

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Nov 2, 2007 | 11:20 AM

99blancoSS

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From: ST Helens, OR

Power robbing wheels?

If you swapped your wheels for different ones but added 10#'s per wheel to the rear, would that rob you of power and how much? It's a semi direct parasitic loss on the crank isnt it? I remember adding bigger wheels to v6 Firebird I had once. It seemed to take longer to accelerate but rolled and cornered nicely.

Nov 2, 2007 | 12:55 PM

xBROKEx

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From: Pflugerville

its not really that it robs power, more like it just adds more unsprung weight . It could rob some acceleration if they are also a diff overall diameter which effectivly would change your final gear ratio

Nov 2, 2007 | 02:31 PM

Weezzer

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From: South Alabama

It will increase inertia, it will take a little more power to accelerate at the same rate as before you put the heavier wheels on, it will also take a little bit longer to stop for the same reason-increased inertia. Like a freight train vs a car.

Basically what is at rest wants to stay at rest (statics), and what is moving wishes to keep moving (dynamics). The static coefficent of friction will always be higher than the kinetic coefficent of friction with all other parameters being equal.

However, considering its only going to be 20 lbs you're probably not going to notice it at all.

Nov 2, 2007 | 02:50 PM

John02Hawk

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From: Rogers, Ark.

My supercharged front wheel drive grand prix ran 0.3 slower on the 18" wheels vs. the stock 16" wheels.. They also weighed 8 pounds more per wheel than the stockers did..

Nov 2, 2007 | 02:56 PM

Marc '99T/A

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I remember that after I put my TT2's on, the car definately felt slower. I went with 17 x 9.5" up front & 17 x 11" in the back. I didn't weigh them, but I know they were heaver than the stockers.

Nov 2, 2007 | 02:57 PM

3rdgentug

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From: memphis, tennessee

adding rotating weight to a car will slow it down

Nov 2, 2007 | 05:12 PM

ramairroughneck

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From: Atoka,OK

I wouldnt worry about the extra weight for a couple reasons. You are going to gain a lot of traction off the line. Also the extra inertia will help keep your speed up between shifts.