Lighter wheels for better acceleration

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

I've been really digging the SVE R350 wheels for the fact that I could reduce 35 lbs of rotational weight, and they look good, too. So, as a mechanical engineer should, I performed some calculations to see how switching to the lighter wheels would improve acceleration.

In general, removing 1 lbs of wheel weight is equivalent to removing about 2 lbs of unsprung weight when it comes to acceleration.

Based on my calcs., simply switching to the SVE R350 wheels (24.4 lbs ea., vs 33 lbs ea for PP1 wheels) would reduce time to speed by the following in a stock Gen 3 A10 Mustang GT PP1:

0-60: 0.05 seconds
0-100: 0.11 seconds
0-120: 0.14 seconds (essentially the 1/4 mile)
30-120: ~0.11 seconds

That's equivalent to adding about 10 hp. Not to mention similarly improved braking (assuming adequate traction), and more responsive handling thanks to less inertia. Very tempting! Although, I do really like the look of the PP1 wheels.

On a somewhat related note: who makes the lightweight direct replacement brake rotors for the PP1? I did a search but couldn't find them. Keep in mind that because the rotors' weight is closer to the center hub, saving 1 lb of brake rotor doesn't have as much affect as saving 1 lbs in a wheel. The affect on acceleration may be equal to around 1.4 lbs saved per 1 lbs reduced, give or take.

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[Helios]

Will help if it don't make you go backward with traction. Traction is always the key

 

[Kermitz]

Steeda makes lightweight 2 piece brake rotors.

https://www.steeda.com/steeda-s550-performance-pack-brake-set-2015-2019-555-6034

 

[dn1984]

keep in mind that in most cases unless you are spending BIG money, saving weight with brake rotors is just removing material and compromising the structural integrity of the rotor. not worth the small weight savings

 

[dn1984]

Steeda makes lightweight 2 piece brake rotors.

https://www.steeda.com/steeda-s550-performance-pack-brake-set-2015-2019-555-6034

i just checked those out, actually pretty cheap for a two piece

 

[Kermitz]

i just checked those out, actually pretty cheap for a two piece

I've been running them for a year now with no issues.
They definitely made an improvement in acceleration, turning and braking.

 

[BLUE DEVIL]

I have Steeda rotors, however these look interesting!!
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/pfc-v3-rotors.141806/#post-2905479

When you did your calculations did you try to allow for not knowing where the rotational mass gains are distributed in the rim, i.e. hub, spokes, barrel?

 

[accel]

I've been really digging the SVE R350 wheels for the fact that I could reduce 35 lbs of rotational weight, and they look good, too. So, as a mechanical engineer should, I performed some calculations to see how switching to the lighter wheels would improve acceleration.

In general, removing 1 lbs of wheel weight is equivalent to removing about 2 lbs of unsprung weight when it comes to acceleration.

Based on my calcs., simply switching to the SVE R350 wheels (24.4 lbs ea., vs 33 lbs ea for PP1 wheels) would reduce time to speed by the following in a stock Gen 3 A10 Mustang GT PP1:

0-60: 0.05 seconds
0-100: 0.11 seconds
0-120: 0.14 seconds (essentially the 1/4 mile)
30-120: ~0.11 seconds

That's equivalent to adding about 10 hp. Not to mention similarly improved braking (assuming adequate traction), and more responsive handling thanks to less inertia. Very tempting! Although, I do really like the look of the PP1 wheels.

On a somewhat related note: who makes the lightweight direct replacement brake rotors for the PP1? I did a search but couldn't find them. Keep in mind that because the rotors' weight is closer to the center hub, saving 1 lb of brake rotor doesn't have as much affect as saving 1 lbs in a wheel. The affect on acceleration may be equal to around 1.4 lbs saved per 1 lbs reduced, give or take.

There's an article in some car magazine where they measure gt350 performance with metal and carbon fiber wheels. Difference is substantial. Search forum, there's link posted somewhere.

 

[Biggus Dickus]

Your'e just the guy I want to talk to. I am switching out my stock PP2 wheels (~35# F, 36# R), for 19x10 F (~22#) and 19 x11 R (~23#) NES FG-08s, but also changing from stock 305/30/ 19 PSC2s (26#) to 295/35/19 MPSS F (29#) and 305/35/19 R (31#). What kind of performance advantages do you think I may gain? Thanks for your expertise.

 

[Bikeman315]

Here’s one of those articles.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a...ts-of-the-shelby-gt350rs-carbon-fiber-wheels/

 

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

Your'e just the guy I want to talk to. I am switching out my stock PP2 wheels (~35# F, 36# R), for 19x10 F (~22#) and 19 x11 R (~23#) NES FG-08s, but also changing from stock 305/30/ 19 PSC2s (26#) to 295/35/19 MPSS F (29#) and 305/35/19 R (31#). What kind of performance advantages do you think I may gain? Thanks for your expertise.

It will be nearly identical to what I calculated for switching my car to the SVE R350 wheels. You're saving more weight on the wheels, but adding weight back w/ the tires. The tires have more inertia since all their weight is distributed further away from the hub, so they have a larger affect on rotational mass energy than even the wheels.

That said, based on my calcs., I'd expect the following approximate improvements in acceleration for your situation:

0-60: 0.05 seconds quicker
0-100: 0.11 seconds quicker

That assumes traction is similar between the two setups.

 

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

I have Steeda rotors, however these look interesting!!
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/pfc-v3-rotors.141806/#post-2905479

When you did your calculations did you try to allow for not knowing where the rotational mass gains are distributed in the rim, i.e. hub, spokes, barrel?

I just made a basic assumption for the weight improvement of 1 lbs removed = 2 lbs saved for acceleration for a wheel. I didn't do a rotational inertia analysis to determine exactly the weight distribution differences between the two rim styles.

 

[BLUE DEVIL]

I know the aftermarket rim manufacturers like to tought lighter, which is OK, but it would interesting to find/know percentages of where the weight savings are physically in the wheel.

 

[GUSTOPP2]

i just checked those out, actually pretty cheap for a two piece

Those are great! I have them in my cart as we speak. Baer also makes direct replacement. A BIT lighter than Steeda but I don't think seem as good. Plus I prefer slotted to drilled rotors

 

[ZX3ST]

Here’s one of those articles.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a...ts-of-the-shelby-gt350rs-carbon-fiber-wheels/

And in typical auto journalist fashion they completely miss most of the "why". MotorTrend is guilty of this too. The R model runs on 30 series tires and so therefore enjoys a roughly 4% gearing advantage over its non-R brother.

The biggest performance advantage for lighter wheels (and more specifically carbon fiber) is direction changes and carbon's superior resistance to deflection compared to aluminum in hard corners.

Is there a difference? Yes. Is it as much as people would like to believe? I don't think so. Maybe at the drag strip where every 0.01sec counts. We're not comparing 50lb wheels to 10lb wheels.

Overall handling and ride quality? Sure.

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