lightweight wheels vs. 1/4 mile times

[JantzenOKC]

I've been thinking about buying some lightweight 18" wheels and tires. Looking at either the TSW nurburgring about 18lbs each or maybe forgestar f-14's. I love the Welds but probably a little out of my price range. Right now I'm running the factory 20" wheels which are 30+lbs.

How much could I expect to take off my 1/4mile times from this change only. I don't spin at the track now so this would be just the unsprung weight reduction, not better traction. I remember when I replaced my PZeros with general gmax's(6-7lbs lighter) I could definitely feel the difference, the car just felt lighter and more nimble. I'm thinking this will make quite a difference.

[sasquash1984]

A tength or so maybe, I remebr running stock 20's in the back then tsw nurginbuging now 18's helped on the 60ft some as well. The biggest is changing the fronts to a skinny I just recently got of my 20's in front down to a 17x5 dropped a tength and half but they are welds not cheap $1363 for front set my rear set coming in 2 weeks $1700 XD. But it should help over all rotating mass decrease helps the most

[62nalide]

I would look into race stars if your in a budget.
Skinnies are important IMO

[nightmaro10]

I also dropped a tenth and a half. Maybe a little more from switching to skinnies. I'm running the race star darkstars up front.

[VADER SS L99]

I would imagine every pound of wheel/tire weight you save is like 3lbs of static weight. Rough estimate and not exact science but it does add up. From my figures stock wheels and tires weigh about 260lbs total. TSW Interlogos/Nurburgrigs with MT 305/45R18 rear, 225/60R18 Continental Pure contact Eco Plus front weigh about 190lbs for a 70lb weight savings. 70lbs of wheel/tire weight savings is pretty big. I would imagine 70lbs of wheel/tire weight to be worth at least .2tenths and 2mph in the 1/4 mile.

[bct10985]

I cant seem to find any info on it online but ive heard from two different racers that 1lb spinning weight is equal to about 7lbs static weight. I know when i switched to my welds it felt a lot faster.

[Pro Stock John]

Yeah +3, skinnies are a very good mod.

Stock 20" fronts are like over 60 lbs and wide. 17x4.5 Race Stars for example shod with a set of M/T drag radials would be like 40 lbs and have much less rolling resistance.

Race Star fronts I sold to a forum member, I'm a dealer for them:

[JantzenOKC]

Well it seems the concensus is a skinny for the strip.. I didn't realize the contact patch made that big of a difference, I was just thinking weight. I was wanting something I could use for the street and the strip. Do any of you guys drive on the street with 4.5" fronts?

ProStockJohn that race star and mt tire look bad@ss.. i could see running something like that. I just don't want to have to put my heavy stockers back on for the street(where I spend most my time).

[nightmaro10]

I run my 17x4.5 on the street to and from the track. I don't really run them around town, mostly because I don't wanna put a whole lot of wear on the tires. I went with the bias ply M&H and word is that they wear very easily. They are also slightly lighter than a radial tire, which was another reason for my choice. Can you run them around town? I know plenty of guys in my area that never take them off of their cars. Should you? That's up to you. I know from personal experience that skinnies won't handle or corner as well as other wider tire and wheels set ups. My only real input here would be to go with a radial up front if you plan to street them. Here's a pic of my track setup.

[Pro Stock John]

I run a radial on mine and leave them on from now to Thanksgiving.

I will add matching rears when the 17's come out.

[JantzenOKC]

So you run a 17x7? What tire are you running on the front John?

[JD_Alaska]

Really like the looks of those Pro Stock John

[Pro Stock John]

I'm running a 215 regular radial up front, idea came from Mike N aka Bad70Supreme.

[Pro Stock John]

BHillaakabergwhatever has 215s on 17x7s up front, here is a frontal shot: