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08-13-2018, 07:54 PM | #1 |
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Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?
Anyone have real world honest results in E.T. reduction when replacing standard type centerline wheels with really light wheels?
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08-14-2018, 11:00 AM | #2 |
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Re: Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?
I have done extensive back to back testing with lighter wheels, lighter drive shafts, gun drilled axles, alum spools and any other low weight rotating part that I can find and have had zero improvement. As my car is very low HP, I would think that if any car would improve it would be mine. If I was starting over with a new car, I would still buy all of these lightweight parts but if you are on a budget, don't waste your money.
Jim Caughlin SS/FS 6019 |
08-14-2018, 11:40 AM | #3 |
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Re: Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?
I tend to agree with Jim. Remember that most of the super-trick, gun-drilled, unobtanium stuff was designed for Pro Stock (and maybe Comp), where getting the entire car to a crazy light weight was the challenge. I honestly think that today, it's mostly for the coolness factor.
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08-14-2018, 12:53 PM | #4 | |
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Re: Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?
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08-14-2018, 01:18 PM | #5 | |
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Re: Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?
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I wouldn't spend it on slightly lighter than light wheels. I still agree with Jim, for the results save the money if you are on a budget. |
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08-14-2018, 01:34 PM | #6 |
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Re: Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?
You would be surprised at how many revs a tire actually turns from the time it leaves the starting line until it goes a 1/4 mile. Actually About 150 to maybe 175 times depending on if you have smaller or larger diameter tires. The same with engine maybe 1200 actual revolutions on an engine turning 7200 rpm in a 10.5 second run
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08-16-2018, 05:37 PM | #7 |
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Re: Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?
Because we can't test in a "vacuum", our test results are subject to interpretation based on any differences in track surface, track temps, wind direction changes, and any other number of variables. I do believe that if you apply all of the things that are supposed to be better, then it will be better. You just may or may not see the results immediately.
It's the same in my electrical business, I can guarantee that you will use less electricity by switching to a more efficient electric motor or LED lights, but you might not see a difference in your electric bill due to differences in running time of all of the components are different each month. Dan
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08-14-2018, 03:04 PM | #8 | |
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Re: Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?
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I think we're saying the same thing, just differently. As another poster suggested, if I'm choosing between gun-drilled, 40-spline axles, an aluminum spool and a lightened ring and pinion, I would probably save the money and put it in the engine. Reducing unsprung mass does allow quicker acceleration of the component in question, but the question becomes "At what price for what gain?" |
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08-14-2018, 06:30 PM | #9 |
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Re: Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?
I`d have to agree with Jim on this as well. I`ve done back to back runs with steel wheels and Centerlines with the same size tire and saw no noticeable improvement on a V/SA Buick Skyhawk or Skylark.
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08-14-2018, 11:42 AM | #10 |
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Re: Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?
Back in the stone age (Mid 1970's)Jim Morgan changed from a wide "Cook" steel wheel on his SS/GA 428 Mustang to a light weight wheel (don't remember the brand) of the same size and he was consistently about .09 quicker in the 1/4 mile. The Cook wheels were quite heavy if anyone remembers them. Both were 14 inches wide. I went with him quite a lot back in the day and was doing his heads back then for him and Dickie Estivez who ran the Al Joniac 1968 light wt. that has been restored to original condition and his brother in law ran a 1969 Convertible. They all 3 picked up after changing from the heavy Cook brand wheels to the lighter wheels.
Last edited by X-TECH MAN; 08-14-2018 at 03:41 PM. |
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