Just so you know what those 22s and rubberband tires are doing for you....

[LSxJunkie]

Top Gear Australia had a regular HSV Clubsport R8 (Pretty much a G8 GXP, and the source of your Zeta platforms) and an HSV Clubsport by Walkinshaw Performance with a TVS, 22s, and big brakes.

The regular Clubbie went around their test track in 1:13.60, 2/10ths slower than an M3 which is quite an accomplishment for a big heavy sedan.

The Supercharged Walkinshaw Clubbie went around in 1:15.19 on the 22s. This car makes approx 630 at the crank.

They put the stock 20s back on the Walkinshaw car and that time dropped to 1:12.0.

3.19 seconds is HUGE on a short track like that.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/T...and_683369.htm

The whole review is 11 minutes, but definitely worth the watch. The part relevant to this post is around 7:30.


I just wanted to show you a real world example of what you're doing to your SSs by throwing 22s on them. It really is a case of form way over function. I'm sure a lot of you know and accept that. This is for those who don't, or even believe that bigger wheels and tires will make your car perform better.

[COR Forged]

Nice post.

[Doc]

Great post! A lot of people don't understand what unsprung weight is or what it does to performance. They put these huge chrome-plated boat anchors on their cars because they think it looks "badass" and don't realize they've essentially just subtracted horsepower from their car. Not to mention the damaging effect that weight has on the shocks and suspension bushings.

I'm going with 3-piece forged for my wheels. They're going to cost but it will reduce the unsprung weight by about 6 lbs per wheel. I was even thinking of going down from a 20 to a 19 which would knock another few pounds off but I'll have to wait and see what the clearance issues will be with the Brembos. No way would I go larger than 20 though.

[mojosc]

I worked for OEM manufacuturers early in my career and the wheels are developed a minimum of a full year ahead of production with a target wieght. They are made and tested and tested and tested again. If the wheel passes the tests, it's all about pulling wieght out until the target is achived. The best wheels to put on the car are the ones developed for the car. Aftermarket wheels are ALWAYS going to be heavier, even if they are the same size. The lightest wheels that can be made are one-piece forged. No cast or multi-piece of the same size can compair, as far as wieght goes.

[mickss]

There is also another down side to plus sizing wheels (wheels larger than OE) is you will wear out your brake pads faster than normal.

I`ve been told that to plus size your wheels by 2 inches is acceptable anything over that will greatly speed up your brake pad wear.

[COR Forged]

Mojosc not necessarily. We at COR (now AXIOM aswell) have done many lab tests to ensure a lighter stronger 3 piece that will help and replace OEM wheels. I know exactly what your stating is very true when it comes to OEM, and many one piece wheels. But we have done some rigorous testing even in our one piece forged series to be able to satisfy our customers, and provide them with a strong and lightweight wheel

[SS 376]

Originally Posted by LSxJunkie

Top Gear Australia had a regular HSV Clubsport R8 (Pretty much a G8 GXP, and the source of your Zeta platforms) and an HSV Clubsport by Walkinshaw Performance with a TVS, 22s, and big brakes.

The regular Clubbie went around their test track in 1:13.60, 2/10ths slower than an M3 which is quite an accomplishment for a big heavy sedan.

The Supercharged Walkinshaw Clubbie went around in 1:15.19 on the 22s. This car makes approx 630 at the crank.

They put the stock 20s back on the Walkinshaw car and that time dropped to 1:12.0.

3.19 seconds is HUGE on a short track like that.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/T...and_683369.htm

The whole review is 11 minutes, but definitely worth the watch. The part relevant to this post is around 7:30.


I just wanted to show you a real world example of what you're doing to your SSs by throwing 22s on them. It really is a case of form way over function. I'm sure a lot of you know and accept that. This is for those who don't, or even believe that bigger wheels and tires will make your car perform better.

Good post but most guys here are very old-school and want to go smaller on wheels and tires, not bigger. And I doubt anyone putting on 22"s is thinking about taking the Camaro to the Glen or Mid-Ohio or something.

And jeez, what are those E90 M3 guys getting when they shell out $60-70k? The G8GXP is just as fast for half the price. And about as good looking.

[mojosc]

COR - Yes a strong light wieght multi piece wheel can be made but only in comparison to cast aftermarket wheel. Since I'm a wheel engineer I can only use techncal data to prove my point. Attached is a picture of 2 - 20x8.5 wheels. The designs are somewhat similar. The wheel on the left, forged multipiece (3pc) 29lbs. The wheel on the right, one piece forged (same as SS wheels) only 22.5lbs. My goal is to produce and LS7 designed wheel that can handle an 1800lbs rotary test load and weigh a pound an inch. Stay tunned....

[GTAHVIT]

Hmmm that will be interesting....

[COR Forged]

That's sweet Mojosc. Question............ are you shaving off any aluminum from your wheels? Our 3 piece wheels (20") weigh about 24-25 lbs while our one piece forged weigh anywhere from 21 to 22lbs. Looking forward to seeing a finished product of what you have brewing in the lab. Good luck

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Can-Am

Good post but most guys here are very old-school and want to go smaller on wheels and tires, not bigger. And I doubt anyone putting on 22"s is thinking about taking the Camaro to the Glen or Mid-Ohio or something.

And jeez, what are those E90 M3 guys getting when they shell out $60-70k? The G8GXP is just as fast for half the price. And about as good looking.

It's not just lap times on a road course; it's also about straight-line acceleration. Your engine has to spin up that rotating mass. A smaller wheel will spin up faster. A big heavy wheel will take more power to get in motion and also take more effort to stop it. Slower acceleration, longer stopping times and distances. Why would you want to spend thousands of dollars to do that to your performance car? Makes no sense to me old-school or otherwise.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by mojosc

COR - Yes a strong light wieght multi piece wheel can be made but only in comparison to cast aftermarket wheel. Since I'm a wheel engineer I can only use techncal data to prove my point. Attached is a picture of 2 - 20x8.5 wheels. The designs are somewhat similar. The wheel on the left, forged multipiece (3pc) 29lbs. The wheel on the right, one piece forged (same as SS wheels) only 22.5lbs. My goal is to produce and LS7 designed wheel that can handle an 1800lbs rotary test load and weigh a pound an inch. Stay tunned....

Is the one on the left chromed? Chromed as in triple-plated? That would explain much of the extra weight. Find two examples where both are either chromed, or not chromed. I'd be interested to know the real difference weight-wise.

And if you can come up with a 20 lb 20" wheel that actually looks good and fits the Camaro... you'll definitely be onto something.

[Indpowr]

Not everyone is into racing. They just want the look. So, even though it is great to be educated there will still be a market for 22's.

[SoloSK71]

Take a look at what Mazda did with the one piece magnesium wheels they did. Amazing weight savings there.

- SK