20" Wheel weight = Slower Car?

[kn7671]

This isn't really a wheel and tire question, but overall, do the people installing 20" wheels on their car feel like their car is slower?

I've noticed that there are not too many affordable and lightweight forged 20" wheels available, and most of the pictures I see people posting are of cast 20" wheels, and the great majority of these wheel/tire packages weigh more than the factory wheel.

I'm on the fence about spending a bunch of money for 20" wheels that might hurt overall performance, and sure some others are too, so please give your feedback and experience on wheel/tire weight vs overall vehicle performance.

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[2015 Silver GT]

Absolutely if you're adding more upsprung weight will you feel a difference. On my 2011 I gained close to 2/10's going from 19's to a 17x4.5 skinny up front and a 15x10 in the rear.

 

[jasonstang]

Depends on what 20 inch wheels. The 19's on my CS are ridiculously heavy. I am pretty sure going to a 20 inch light weight is gonna help a ton.
Besides 20 inch will give less sidewall flex meaning faster steering.

 

[5ABI VT]

check the curb weight of a mustang lately?

 

[Higgs Boson]

If you hold all variables equal, an aftermarket 20 will be slower than an aftermarket 15 or 17.

A stock 20 will be slower than a stock 18.

An aftermarket 20 may be close to a stock 18.

etc.

 

[50hhh]

What ill never understand is why ford felt the need to use PP wheels that are heavier than thors hammer?

 

[Higgs Boson]

check the curb weight of a mustang lately?

rotating weight and unsprung weight has 4 times the effect of sprung weight. losing 10 lbs per wheel is 40 lbs of unsprung weight which is like losing 160 lbs of vehicle weight/sprung weight.

flywheel, crank pulley, driveshaft, halfshafts, wheels, tires, brakes, etc all have the most effect on performance.

then weight outside the axles (front and rear of car).

then weight in the middle. sucky part is the middle is the easiest and cheapest to lose (like a rear seat delete). has very little impact.

 

[Higgs Boson]

What ill never understand is why ford felt the need to use PP wheels that are heavier than thors hammer?

$$

 

[jasonstang]

$$

Exactly.
I remember my RX-8 R3 had BBS forged 19 inch wheels, they are super light but they cost $3000 a piece from dealer.

 

[Rob00GT]

No one has yet mentioned that if you order your Mustang with 20" wheels you get additional chassis bracing to compensate for it.

 

[dcasandman]

I've been debating the same question with myself. I think 19s look fine, 20s fill the gap a little better, but if you can save 3-5lbs per wheel it'll be worth a decent amount of acceleration. I know or have been told way more tire options with 20s, but lowered on 19s look just fine to me. I don't know the weight of the C/S package wheels, but they feel really heavy. I'm betting they weigh more than after market 20s, so that puts me back at square one. Go for better performance, or better looks and tire availability?

 

[ridenfish39]

My TSW Bathurst saved 12 lbs a wheel vs the PP wheels, they are heavier than Thor's hammer LOL

 

[Moddiction]

I can't wait to get some lightweight wheels once these tires get worn. Dropping 8-10 lbs a wheel should make a very noticeable difference!

 

[MELLOWYELLOW06]

Paul [MENTION=11685]Need4SpeedMotors[/MENTION] has a vast selection of wheels in 20s that weigh in the 20lb range. He homed me up with MRR Fs01 20x10 and 20x11 and they weigh in the mid 20's!

 

[Need4SpeedMotors]

This isn't really a wheel and tire question, but overall, do the people installing 20" wheels on their car feel like their car is slower?

I've noticed that there are not too many affordable and lightweight forged 20" wheels available, and most of the pictures I see people posting are of cast 20" wheels, and the great majority of these wheel/tire packages weigh more than the factory wheel.

I'm on the fence about spending a bunch of money for 20" wheels that might hurt overall performance, and sure some others are too, so please give your feedback and experience on wheel/tire weight vs overall vehicle performance.

Allow me to answer this question for you sir.

your first paragraph is correct, however one thing we need to keep in mind is ultimatly design, and budget some members However one thing I can inform you is that pricing for flow formed, flow forge, flow form, spun forged, rotory forged wheels has actually decreased for the better. Options are being more available wider selections more manufacturers are bringing them in as a standard wheel construction. Now take this and say compare it to 3 years ago where maybe 3 or 4 companies carried this construction type of wheel.

Now your second paragraph, your concern is valued truly but rest assured you can allocate a proper investment for a set of wheels and tires that will actually benefit the vehicle. For example the factory PP wheels 19x9.5 weigh 33.8 lbs without a tire. You can gain diameter and width 20x11 for instance and have it weigh in the mid to tad higher 20s.

Let me know if i can help you out in anyway, questions, details and all.

Paul [MENTION=11685]Need4SpeedMotors[/MENTION] has a vast selection of wheels in 20s that weigh in the 20lb range. He homed me up with MRR Fs01 20x10 and 20x11 and they weigh in the mid 20's!

Thanks brotha.

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