i have 15" wheels which weight 22lbs each. I want to switch to 16" lightweight SSR integral A2 which weight 13lbs. how will this affect speed if the overall diameter (tyre + wheel) doesnt increase much? theoriticaly it will reduce the unsprung weight right?

Any type of experience is apritiated

 

overall diameter will not change unless you go with a bigger or smaller overall diameter tire

 

to maintain same diameter when switching to bigger wheels you must reduce tyre height. i want to know which setup is faster: 205/50/R15 (22lbs rim) or 225/45/R16 (13lbs rim)


Modified by beqa16v at 5:52 AM 11/6/2006

 

well 205/50/15 is not a stock diameter

225/45/16 is very close to stock and it is what i run

i guess if you are asking for acceleration purpose then you would be able to accelerate faster with the smaller 205/50/15

but if you wanted the lighter 16 with a smaller diameter then you could go 205/45/16......it would be about the same as the 205/50/15 which neither of are stock diameter

 

well you also can take the wieght factor of the rubber like the 205/50/15 falken 615 is heavier than the the 205/40/16 by about 3 pounds each wheel.

 

205/55/15 is stock for 4th gen, if you run a 205/50/16 you have the same.

205/50/16 = 205/55/15

Speedo will still be the same.

I have Potenza's on Slips.

 

205/50/16 is higher than 205/55/15. i'm runing 205/50/15 now. 13lbs wheel instead of 22lbs. so it will not be enough for faster acceleration? doesnt that unsprung weight factor matter?

 

guys what is the point of this retarded argument

1)use a tire size calculator and stop speculating over whats bigger and smaller....
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

2)of course lighter wheels = faster car...duh

 

You could mount up both and get the wheel spinning at a set rate, then time how long it takes for the wheel to slow down.

The faster wheel will be faster.

No matter what the lighter wheel will have a lighter un sprung weight.