I have heard that most after market rims are a bit heavier then stock, besides the real expensive brands.

Regardless, is this a true statement that it will actually effect my cars performance actually make it slower?


Say i get these ruff racing wheels, will it effect anything over stock rims?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TODAY.m238.lVI

or these off brand ones:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TODAY.m238.lVI


Thanks in advance

 

Heavier rims = more weight = slower car. But who are you racing? Enjoy the look. Besides, it's only a few pounds per wheel.

 

Perhaps you did not notice, but when you come to a section on the forum (like Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension) there is a thing called a sticky IOW a thread w/a pin in front of it in the list of threads. It's right at the head of the thread list. Read those stickies that pertain to what you are asking. You will find answers. It's all there. Everything. That knowledge will give you the strength to act correctly when making buying decisions.

 

It will also lower your sexual libido and IQ ...

 

And all your children will only be born with 1 eye and 4 toes on each foot, buyer beware!

 

unless you race who cares

 

I wouldn't have complete disregard for what heavier rims do... it affects more then just the acceleration of the car. Unsprung weight affects the suspension, handling and braking. Heavier wheels, even iwth the same tire will increase your stopping distance, slwo your accelleration times, wear out your shocks faster and maske the car a bit bouncier. Increase the diameter and all of these factors increase. You will also place asdditional strain on your entire driveline.
Get lighter wheels and braking, and acelleration will increase, though handling will still be rougher. Shrink the diameter nand you will get a softer ride, though you will also have more tire roll.

 

aftermarket rims in the rear can make or break your acceleration. lighter is better.

 

Hey, if you want those wheels then buy them regardless of what people on hear say.

 

Okay, thanks for the replies.

If those will be to heavy what is a nice looking rim that will be lighter as well.

I would just like to put out there i am going to be racing/drifting this. I know stock there not good at either, but stiffing up the suspension and greddy turbo kit will make up for the lack of low-end and do what im looking to do in an rx-8.

I like the fact people look at an rx8 and go there not that fast, i want them to be surprised. I love peoples reaction

When i used to race quads, i had the slowest stock quad out of my class. A z400, i put 7 grand into it about 3k into the motor, and i was beating all the 450cc's and they would look and be like dam!

Thats what im looking to do.

Now that we got that out of the way

Without sacrificing looks, still being an 18" rim with a fatter tire. what is a good LIGHTWEIGHT RACING wheel?

Thanks in advance

 

Well, the best bang for the buck wheels here on the forum are the Enkei RFP1's.

https://www.rx8club.com/auto-rnd-91/killer-special-enkei-rpf1-18x9-5-45-a-98939/

They aren't the prettiest wheel, but the are very ligh, strong, and a good bargain.

 

Guys remember even if the wheels are 50lb more (highly doubtful). That is only 1.6% of the 8's weight.

But depending on what tires you put on, that will definately change handling performance.

 

ADR is not an "off" brand. Ruff is.

 

I just put some chrome 19's on and noticed immedietly(sp?) . But uhwell I use my alloys if I go to the track. One thing I noticed too though is my rear left tire smells like burnt rubber....this normal for new tires?

 

You need to read the sticky before giving advice:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/effects-wheel-size-weight-performance-51865/

 

yes bigger wheels do slow u down honestly I had 20's and having a stage 3 clutch and aluminum flywheel it just wouldn't pick up like it shoud but when putting light weight wheels u can feel that the car can do what it need to do

 

1lb unsprung = 10lb

So lets asume your new rims are 5lb heavier each. 20lb unsprung = 200lb

So your new rims feel the same as if you had a passenger in the car. NOT WORTH IT!!!!

Go for some ultra light weight rims!!!

 

Thanks, very helpful, i was looking at these rims that were 2lbs more then stock each. So maybe i'll keep looking. See if i can come across something a little lighter.

 

maybe you have already looked, but check out http://www.tirerack.com. most of their lightweight wheels have the weights listed with them. also something else you might need to know, is the OEM wheels are 22lbs i beleive.

 

good man! see my signature.

i believe style is one thing. but nothing to sacrifice any performance lower than stock is any mod worth doing. and any mod where a oz./a lb. is dropped, its a good mod. unless that mod is going into chassis stiffening, make ur choices wisely and make sure ur choice exceeds or equal oem quality at best.

and honestly...the stock rims don't look the greatest. and what was mazda thinking when they slapped on 18s for the GT pkg? but they aren't that bad...

and those wheels u are looking at, take another look and reconsider. imo, those knock-off brands are worth less than if u sell ur stocks to another vehicle that can fit the size...so think about that.

there are other brands... 5zigen, black racing, buddy club just to name a few that have super cheap prices and actually have a performance gain from its light weight. and if baller statis describes u, then SSRs, BBS, HRE are whats gonna be on ur list.

 

people have the right to have an opinion. i am in no way trying to attack anyone here. but given its a rx8 and its a sports car, the modding route should go in that direction.

if u like sporting chrome wheels on ur ride, then thats u. nothing i can do about that. but being better educated seems to be the ticket here.

so let me ask u, whats ur first impression if u see a SUV with light weight racing wheels?

it would be a lil off, right? hey, as long as everyone here is giving the most helpful and honest opinion then we're good.

 

just saw his reply, and that was what i would've recommended. there's a really good guy on here that'll match or beat tirerack's price. do a search on it.it should be in the group buy somewhere.

the specs i'm interested in a 17x9.5 is around 15lbs! and even 18x8 will be in similar territory. enkei has one of the best reputations but often overlooked, even though they are a awesome manufacturer that supply to a few oem's.

if you want some looks... go with the 2 piece rpf1 rc...? iirc. tho they are same weight as stock at 22lbs for 18x9 iirc.

 

Enkie Rpf1 are the best bang for the buck for ultra strength durability without costing you an arm and a leg.
5zigen FN01R’s are also a great choice and quite a bit cheaper and was highly recommended by my previous 240sx fellow members.

 

If you don't think a few lbs does, then you're not thinking correctly, or are speaking wo/experience. Camber also has nothing to do with this.

We're talking about rotational mass, not just the few extra lbs weight on the whole car. Mass further out from the wheel center as in 19", 20" and also with heavy or heavier than stock wheels..... OR wider wheels of any diameter but esp 18", 19", 20" bring extra mass to the rim and it all needs to be accelerated and braked therefore loading the engine down and robbing performance.

Losing personal weight is a good idea, but won't help THAT much