alloy v. steel wheel weight.

[Montreal V8]

  Hi all. I've just done a very scientific study on the above subject. Using my bathroom scales (And we all know they never lie!) I got the following results :--
   Standard steel wheels, with hubcaps and lug bolts  ---  26lbs.
   Alloy wheels, with center caps and lug bolts  ---  14lbs.
  No idea if they will make any noticeable handling difference, but I think the alloys look great on my Tobacco car. 
  Yes, yes,  -- I know many people won't agree, but it is a personal opinion.
   Cheers, Dale.
     

[mdsalemi]

Dale--I think the pressed alloy wheels (as opposed to the Bundts) are even a bit lighter in raw form.

Racers spend untold $$$ in reducing unsprung weight.  Doing it with wheels is a good start.  You saved 48# of unsprung weight with your numbers.  Not too shabby!

Now that you've done the science, you can do a little research on unsprung weight--just google and surf and see what you can find!!!

[zoegrlh]

At Joe Alexander's last summer (PUB 2011) we did do just that.  Joe had examples of all three wheels (steel, pressed alloy, and Bundts), and as Michael said, the pressed alloys were the lightest.  I switched out my steel wheels for Bundts some years ago and have noticed a difference with the handling of the car.  Mind you I am also running Vredestein 185/14 HR 90H tires, which are the closest tires in specs to the original Phoenix tires, and Bilstein shocks at all four corners.  I wanted the feel of the ride as it was originally meant.  I think you are wise to switch to alloy.
Bob
Board Member

[Montreal V8]

Hi, Michael and Bob. Thanks for the comments. As I'm fortunate enought to live in the gloriously green Pacific Northwest, which is currently enjoying mostly rainy, changeable weather, I haven't had the car out yet. Meanwhile, I just keep going out to the garage and gaze lovingly at the car with its' shiny "new" wheels. Coincidentally Bob, I'm running the same tires as you have. Cheers, Dale.