Am I Crazy?

[SneakyFast]

I have been looking at wheels for some time now and the set that I am leaning toward is pretty heavy.

http://www.motegiracing.com/wheels/details.asp?parent=92&wheelid=93&name=US7%20Hyper%20Black&pic=2527&style=2527&desc=1-piece%20painted%20alloy,%20inner%20lip

These things weigh 29.8 lbs each (I'm looking at the 18"x7.5"). I figure this will add 40 lbs to the car over the existing stockers. So my questions are as follows...

1. Is adding weight at the wheels any different then say adding weight to anyplace else in the car?
2. Does it change the ride and handling characteristics of the vehicle?
3. How much (if any) quickness will I loose?

The Leggy is by no means a race car for me. Stage 1 will probably be the only "performance mod" I ever do to it (if I even get that far). I commute 80 mi. round trip every day with it so it's primarily a commuter. I do however frequently drive on curvy and twisty roads. Anybody have any experience or opinions?

[JonLGT]

It makes a difference, just think of it as rotating mass.

Imagine if your feet weighed 20 more lbs than they do, then imagine your body weighing 20 more lbs than it does now. Hopefully that logic makes some sence.

[rao]

It does make a difference, but get the wheels you like, you will not notice any difference.

[chenc544]

1. Yes. Wheels are unsprung and rotational weight. It's a double whammy.
2. Yes.
3. Probably minor, but might be enough for the butt dyno to notice.

30 lbs per wheel is really heavy. I will look for something else.

[smokedoutv6]

get them and go stage 1 at the same time and you wont notice at all.

i put the rims on (18x8s, 26lbs each, w/out tire obviously) a couple weeks after going stage 1 and I didnt really notice anything. even though now stage 1 is boring and i'l be going stage 2 hopefully in a couple weeks :icon_chee

[JonLGT]

get them and go stage 1 at the same time and you wont notice at all.

i put the rims on (18x8s, 26lbs each, w/out tire obviously) a couple weeks after going stage 1 and I didnt really notice anything. even though now stage 1 is boring and i'l be going stage 2 hopefully in a couple weeks :icon_chee

take off those wheels for stage 1.5 :lol:.

[dr_sharp]

I wouldn't do it.

0.02

[SneakyFast]

Ok... So I just did a little bit of research on "unsprung weight". It seems that too much unsprung weight can slow the response of your suspension and unsettle your car under heavy breaking or heavy acceleration.

My question now is how much is too much. Like I said earlier, this is in no way a performance modification. If it adds a few seconds to an auto-x time, I couldn't care less. I do however have a fair amount of blind curves in my commute and I need to be able to stop quickly sometimes and with confidence. And of course I don't want my GT to handle like a Buick.

If 30 lbs. too heavy, what is the heaviest wheel that one would consider OK.

Xenonk, I would love to hear your take (oh wheel master). All of your opinions are appreciated. Thank you!

[axis008]

mr_luv is selling his set: http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69002

[chenc544]

The stock wheels are ~20 lbs, there are quiet a few reasonably priced 18" at that weight or lighter. Personally I stuck with 17" and got a set of wheels that weight 15 lbs each.

[dr_sharp]

Ok... So I just did a little bit of research on "unsprung weight". It seems that too much unsprung weight can slow the response of your suspension and unsettle your car under heavy breaking or heavy acceleration.
FYI: Adding weight to wheels adds weight to the "other" side of the spring. It has a different effect than say, loosing spare tire weight or heavy exhaust weight. How it affects it, I do not know... its been too long since that class :)

[whobaru]

Here's a scenario if anyone is expert enough to know the answer *cough* (xenonk)

If when diving into a corner under hard braking takes weight off the rear tires causing the rear brakes to lose effectiveness, would a heavier tire help with this? I like to find the positive in things.

[DiscoWagon]

The purpose of modding is to improve.

[GT_Airborne]

your crazy dude

[chenc544]

If when diving into a corner under hard braking takes weight off the rear tires causing the rear brakes to lose effectiveness, would a heavier tire help with this? I like to find the positive in things.

If you mean putting in heavier tires in the back than the front then the answer is sort of yes. What you are doing there is basically moving the weight distribution rearward. But there are better ways of achieving that, such as moving the battery to the trunk.

[SneakyFast]

The purpose of modding is to improve.

Yes. The purpose of this mod is to improve the look of my car. :rolleyes: Thanks for your input.

[dr_sharp]

You know what they say about those who sacrifice performance for looks...

I don't know but it can't be good.

[Hanger]

WOW, i didn't even know it's possible to have 29 lbs weights on a 18" wheel :eek:

and it's not even chrome!


all i know is it'll make my car hella slow lol

[mr_luv]

Your not crazy at all...

[unclemat]

29 lbs? :eek: Steelies?

[SneakyFast]

Your not crazy at all...
:lol::lol::lol:

Of course YOU don't think I'm crazy. Well, since you found my thread... What are your impressions of the ride difference with the heavy wheels. I'm still thinking about them but the 30 lbs. is kind of scaring me off. That is really freaking heavy for a wheel. I wish they didn't look so good!

[mr_luv]

Well in all honesty, I got them for looks, I liked them still do like them. Hows the ride comfortable aside of my springs and shocks need replacing they ride as smooth stockers. I dont autocross race any of that stuff. I drive to work and home or go out on the weekends. I make sprints every so often I dont have a problem stopping or making turns. Some people here wont buy lugnuts if they arent .001 grams and casted in titanium or carry the choice JDM brand of the moment to each his/her own do you if thats what you do. Dont get me wrong I love JDM & quality shit im just not as critical when it comes to making a buy I mean I am just going to A-B I keep the car clean and running good, I wont put or buy cheap rice crap on it I like things that others dont. Yes they are alot of nice wheels out there for the same cost and lots more and probley less but I dont care if its that ultra rare 5 pound wheel that the top poster deems the shit. I want to pass these on to someone on here that may like them too thats why they are priced to move. I like what I like so I got them it was these or the work Super Dupertos I saved a couple hundered bucks on these over the works the look almost identical they arent JDM hottness but they drive me to work and back the same way everyday they are on and i wont have a baby if they got curbed or bent . I havent had any problems with them at all. Some ppl got there LGT's to chase down EVO's or STi's around race tracks and autocross courses to have the most JDM car out there or what ever reason under the sun they had when they bought it I got mines becasue it was the best car for the money when I was shopping around I like to mod like the rest of the guys on here but when it comes down to it I have to live with it my name is on the title not lgt.com forum members, everyone ask opinons i did and still do all the time but when it comes down to it i will weigh the options look at the wallet and most importantly will I be happy or not? And lastly why am I selling my own personal reasons not to mention my work carp that went down. Now this is nothing against my brothers here everyone has there thing reason saying is becasue some of the comments made by some of the guys above. My thing happens to be looks and lights (Retros if your not in the loop) Hey if you decide to buy cool if you dont no hard feelings at all. :)

[CRAZY KEN]

...a touchy subject!

It boils down to are you a performance enthusiast or car show enthusiast. Are you looking for performance benefits or looks or both.

looks is good and cheap!

performance is better for acceleration and handling and is more expensive!!

If you want both: Looks and Performance is best and most expensive!!!

Money is an issue!...how much do you want to spend?

Materials can also be an issue...Do I live in a potholes from hell area or smooth like glass area. Steelies will bend easily, but can be repaired to a certain extent. While forged aluminum is like a M1A1 Tank...it can take a beating and keep on ticking.

Whatever you decide consider the possiblities!


CRAZY KEN

Rolling on Prodrvie 18" GC-06 British Black with 235/40 Hankook RS-2...hollaaa!!!

[StPaddysWagon]

On my prior wagon (98 VW Passat) I rolled on 15, 16, 17 and 18s. I made a big jump when changing out 16s for 18s. These 18s weighed something like 50+ lbs per wheel/tire at each corner! Very very heavy. Drastic differences immediately recognized were the extra stress on the brakes, gas mileage and even my clutch footwork had to be revamped. After owning the car for several years at this point, I stalled it out once after just putting on the 18s!!!

So huge heavy wheels will cost you. The explicit cost of the wheel and tire. Then te implicit costs of brakes wearing quicker, decreased fuel mileage and undue stress on your suspension components.

If you are commuting that much each way I would be hip and look for some 15s! Or instead of spending 2K on wheels, get a beater for the price and rock that back and forth to work..... or smack your boss and say you want to work from home.

Good luck. I know it is nice to have a sweet looking ride.

Your preference, your choice 'cause it is your car, your money.

[chenc544]

If you are commuting that much each way I would be hip and look for some 15s!

I agree, except you need 17" and up to clear the front brakes on a LGT.

[JonLGT]

Motegi does make lighter wheels ya know.

http://www.motegiracing.com/wheels/details.asp?wheelid=90&name=TRAKLITE%202.0%20Teflon®%20Black&pic=2312&style=2312&desc=1-piece%20forged%20alloy,%20painted%20center,%20mach ined%20lip&section

Or you could go with a different company.

[Xenonk]

I have been looking at wheels for some time now and the set that I am leaning toward is pretty heavy.

http://www.motegiracing.com/wheels/details.asp?parent=92&wheelid=93&name=US7%20Hyper%20Black&pic=2527&style=2527&desc=1-piece%20painted%20alloy,%20inner%20lip

These things weigh 29.8 lbs each (I'm looking at the 18"x7.5"). I figure this will add 40 lbs to the car over the existing stockers. So my questions are as follows...

1. Is adding weight at the wheels any different then say adding weight to anyplace else in the car?
2. Does it change the ride and handling characteristics of the vehicle?
3. How much (if any) quickness will I loose?

The Leggy is by no means a race car for me. Stage 1 will probably be the only "performance mod" I ever do to it (if I even get that far). I commute 80 mi. round trip every day with it so it's primarily a commuter. I do however frequently drive on curvy and twisty roads. Anybody have any experience or opinions?

1. Yes, there's a difference between sprung weight and unsprung weight

2. You're asking your shocks to do more work than it's really needed. Think of it this way, it's easier to handle a 8 lbs bowling ball than a 16 lbs bowling ball.. Or better yet, it's easier to bench press 100 lbs than say 300 lbs.

3. That's hard to measure overall because that depends on how you plan on racing your car.. but for daily driving, you're not going to worry about the weight of the car, however, you will notice that the torque response is slightly "different", the transition of lateral movement is "different". The actual measurement isn't going to be something that's leaps and bounds. It's not like you'll end up losing 2 seconds doing 0-60 mph, but you'll notice how the car doesn't feel as responsive as it used to. Most people say it's a butt-dyno thing, but at some given point, there's possibly something that measureable, how significant that measurement depends on the driving situation you are in (racing or public driving).

Just get better tires.

[whobaru]

Well in all honesty, I got them for looks, I liked them still do like them. Hows the ride comfortable aside of my springs and shocks need replacing they ride as smooth stockers. I dont autocross race any of that stuff. I drive to work and home or go out on the weekends. I make sprints every so often I dont have a problem stopping or making turns. Some people here wont buy lugnuts if they arent .001 grams and casted in titanium or carry the choice JDM brand of the moment to each his/her own do you if thats what you do. Dont get me wrong I love JDM & quality shit im just not as critical when it comes to making a buy I mean I am just going to A-B I keep the car clean and running good, I wont put or buy cheap rice crap on it I like things that others dont. Yes they are alot of nice wheels out there for the same cost and lots more and probley less but I dont care if its that ultra rare 5 pound wheel that the top poster deems the shit. I want to pass these on to someone on here that may like them too thats why they are priced to move. I like what I like so I got them it was these or the work Super Dupertos I saved a couple hundered bucks on these over the works the look almost identical they arent JDM hottness but they drive me to work and back the same way everyday they are on and i wont have a baby if they got curbed or bent . I havent had any problems with them at all. Some ppl got there LGT's to chase down EVO's or STi's around race tracks and autocross courses to have the most JDM car out there or what ever reason under the sun they had when they bought it I got mines becasue it was the best car for the money when I was shopping around I like to mod like the rest of the guys on here but when it comes down to it I have to live with it my name is on the title not lgt.com forum members, everyone ask opinons i did and still do all the time but when it comes down to it i will weigh the options look at the wallet and most importantly will I be happy or not? And lastly why am I selling my own personal reasons not to mention my work carp that went down. Now this is nothing against my brothers here everyone has there thing reason saying is becasue some of the comments made by some of the guys above. My thing happens to be looks and lights (Retros if your not in the loop) Hey if you decide to buy cool if you dont no hard feelings at all. :)

Holy run-on sentence bat man!

[whobaru]

If you mean putting in heavier tires in the back than the front then the answer is sort of yes. What you are doing there is basically moving the weight distribution rearward. But there are better ways of achieving that, such as moving the battery to the trunk.

I didn't mean the back wheels would be heavier than the front. Same heavy wheels all the way around. My question has been answered anyway, but thanks!