Heavy wheels

[Toyobaru808]

Theres so much wheels out there that I'd like to throw on but then i read the specs on them and immediately get turned off. Im pretty new to the car modding scene (i come from the land of 2 wheels) so heres my question.

If i dont autox or do trackday (hawaii has no track) does it matter if I get a heavy wheel? I do go on spirited rides every once in a while but nothing close to autox or trackdays. If your wondering I'm talking about 5 or 6 pounds heavier than stock.

What are the downfalls running a heavier wheel + tire combo and will i feel those negative drawback for daily drives and spirited runs?

[caliboy15]

you'll suffer the mpg with hevier wheels.

[Toyobaru808]

Will I feel a drop in performance for what I'll be
doing with the FR-S?

[Vracer111]

Originally Posted by Toyobaru808

Will I feel a drop in performance for what I'll be
doing with the FR-S?

A 25%-30% increase in mass over the stock wheels...yeah you will notice that! The ride quality, braking, and acceleration will all be affected negatively. The suspension will also wear out quicker as well and as mentioned your fuel economy will go down some. The best you can do is a find a design that concentrates the added mass on the hub and not rim area to have the least negative impact possible.

Any wheels in particular you are looking at? I'm sure there are some similar styles that could be found which are around stock weight or less...

[Toyobaru808]

Heres my choices in order

1. TSW Nurburgring 18x8+45 (these over OZs bc they come in bronze)
2. OZ Ultraleggeras 18x8+48
3. Rota Torque 18x8+48

And these will be wrapped around dunlop direzza dz101s or hankook ventus v12 evok110 @ 225/40r18

[Snoopyalien24]

Motegi Trak Lites 2 are 14lbs - 15lbs if you want something EXTREMELY light

or use the ones stated above

or some Enkei RPF1's

[Vracer111]

Originally Posted by Toyobaru808

Heres my choices in order

1. TSW Nurburgring 18x8+45 (these over OZs bc they come in bronze)
2. OZ Ultraleggeras 18x8+48
3. Rota Torque 18x8+48

And these will be wrapped around dunlop direzza dz101s or hankook ventus v12 evok110 @ 225/40r18

OZ Ultraleggera's come in Gold and are ~2lbs lighter than stock....TSW are about the same weight too. Rota Torques are about ~ 1/2 heavier than stock.

Tires are 3lbs heavier than stock, so you are only looking at a 1lb gain from stock...unless you go with the Rota Torques then it's about a 3lb gain. I wouldn't sweat choices 1 and 2 at all if it's just a daily driver!

Regarding tires though, I was not impressed with Direzza DZ-101's at all...in fact it is the most horrible tire I've ever had on a vehicle - way too much sidewall play and unresponsiveness coupled with not a lot of grip wet or dry. May be different with a much lower sidewall in 18's, but I'd still be leery of those tires...

I'd also recommend checking out the Kumho Ecsta Sport LE... it's a newly released tire from Kumho that is phenominal in the wet and most excellent in the dry, great for tropical and hot climates. I bought a set for my Tacoma (205/55-16 mounted on 16x7.5 Kosei K-1's) and man is it stable cutting through standing water at highway speeds and has great responsiveness and dry grip. I definitely want to get a set for the daily driver wheels once it's time to replace the Michelin HP's...

[86less]

+1 on the dunlops. Had them on my evo and they were horrible when wet. They also run narrower than other same spec tires. The ride is good though if thats what you want.(soft sidewalls)

[Panman]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

OZ Ultraleggera's come in Gold and are ~2lbs lighter than stock....TSW are about the same weight too. Rota Torques are about ~ 1/2 heavier than stock.

Tires are 3lbs heavier than stock, so you are only looking at a 1lb gain from stock...unless you go with the Rota Torques then it's about a 3lb gain. I wouldn't sweat choices 1 and 2 at all if it's just a daily driver!

Regarding tires though, I was not impressed with Direzza DZ-101's at all...in fact it is the most horrible tire I've ever had on a vehicle - way too much sidewall play and unresponsiveness coupled with not a lot of grip wet or dry. May be different with a much lower sidewall in 18's, but I'd still be leery of those tires...

I'd also recommend checking out the Kumho Ecsta Sport LE... it's a newly released tire from Kumho that is phenominal in the wet and most excellent in the dry, great for tropical and hot climates. I bought a set for my Tacoma (205/55-16 mounted on 16x7.5 Kosei K-1's) and man is it stable cutting through standing water at highway speeds and has great responsiveness and dry grip. I definitely want to get a set for the daily driver wheels once it's time to replace the Michelin HP's...

What was said - all of those except the Rotas are light for size wheels, and the TSWs have the advantage of being forged so (nominally) stronger than cast - I've bent Ultraleggeras in the past.

You are doing the right things with diameter and widths from a handling perspective - my advice would be to keep the stock wheels and drive on those for a while beofre putting on your shiny new rims so you can appreciate the difference.

I'd go for the TSWs, or the Motegis mentioned - and given that I've driven a fair bit in lovely Hawaii over the years would go for something that offers good wet weather grip from the tire (or as I spell it tyre) perspective. The roads aren't bad compared to where I'm from so something with a stiff sidewall would be okay on 18".

Stock is ~40.5 Pounds so if tire+wheel is within a pound or two of that either way you'll be golden.

[Apex Chase]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

A 25%-30% increase in mass over the stock wheels...yeah you will notice that! The ride quality, braking, and acceleration will all be affected negatively. The suspension will also wear out quicker as well and as mentioned your fuel economy will go down some. The best you can do is a find a design that concentrates the added mass on the hub and not rim area to have the least negative impact possible.

Any wheels in particular you are looking at? I'm sure there are some similar styles that could be found which are around stock weight or less...

And going with something with a larger diameter will have a similar effect.

[Draco-REX]

The TSWs and OZs listed are near or just below stock wheel weight (20.1lbs). The rotas.. probably not.

Heavier wheels will increase braking distance, reduce acceleration, make it harder for your suspension to work, and can effect mileage depending on terrain. Going light is the right way to do it.

[Bg8780]

So just to be clear, the stock wheels and tires weigh in at 20.1lbs? I will be making my choice of wheels based souly on weight.

[ahausheer]

FYI- check out racing cars. They can afford any rim they want but they pretty much go with the smallest ones. Its not so much the actual weight of the rim as it is how much of that weight is away from the center of the hub. It makes a difference. light is better, and keeping the weight closer to the center of rotation is key

[ImAwesome]

Originally Posted by Bg8780

So just to be clear, the stock wheels and tires weigh in at 20.1lbs? I will be making my choice of wheels based souly on weight.

41.5 total

[Bg8780]

Ok thanks! Does anyone know what the stock rim weight seperately is and how much the tire weighs. I've always liked BBS so I'll start looking there for a lightweight wheel. Even though they are pricey.

Good point ahausheer, I will keep that in mind when searching for my new wheels. Thanks guys.

[schtebie]

The stock wheels should be roughly 20 lbs.

[Draco-REX]

Stock wheels are 20.1lbs, the stock tires are 20lbs.

[yoshiharadesign]

I think to keep things in perspective, also check the weight of the tire. Tire weight variances easily tags on 3-5lbs even when its the same size sometimes. So, shopping for wheels and tires do get a bit complex but if you go with a less expensive wheel at a slightly higher weight and find lower weighted tires, you can most definitely end up still with a light weight package at a lower cost to you. Unfortunately, tires are not scrutinized for their weight. So trying really hard for a lighter wheel could all be negated by a heavy tire...