so i'm lookin into bigger wheels for my 300zx, and some people are telling me to try t find the lightest i can, because unsprung weight is a killer, but others are telling me that with 400rwhp that i plan on having it will be such a minimal difference, i'm better off just getting the wheels i like better over the ones that'll perform better.

i'd love to get the ssr competitions that are like 17lbs each, but they're $500 each...and that's simply not happening. my next choice would be the Kazera KZ-A's that cost like $200 each...much closer to my price range lol...but they weigh a whopping 23.8 lbs rear and 23.4 lbs front...

so my question for you all is how much do the stock 16 inch wheels weigh? and how much of a difference is there between 17lbs and 23? will 23 still be lighter than stock/ will it make a difference speed wise worth mentioning? or should i stick with the ones i like better, that are also cheaper...and not worry too much about the added 6lbs per wheel?

thanks

 

16-17lbs. stock N/A wheel. I don't exactly know how much a few pounds will affect power but the heavier you get the more torque will be required to accelerate off the line. The Kazera's are nice and look just like the Nismo wheels. SSR is an excellent choice as well if you have the cash but I read on TT.net that they are closing down for a while.

 

I've heard that there are very few wheels (that fit) that are lighter than the stock cast wheels. Putting heavier wheels on has little impact on your power. The big impact is in handling characteristics as far as adding unsprung weight goes. On any car, your suspension and steering are highly engineered and finely tuned "systems" from the factory. Making arbitrary changes to these systems usually has a negative effect. Most people are into looking cool and sitting pretty so the heavier wheels will have no effect. I put 18" wheels on my car that weigh around 24 pounds and look nice (to me). When I go to a track where handling is important, I put the stock wheels back on. there's my ($.02) 2 cents.

 

Anyone know how much the 17 x 8.5 and 18 x 9.5 BBS RC's weigh?

 

http://www.wheelspecs.com/specs/wheelmodels/74

 

thanks a lot guys...but i always was under the impression that bigger wheels with less sidewall is better for handling? and i've heard that a lot, that you want less tire fat hangin over the sides of the wheels for better handling, but i may be wrong...thats just what i've heard. and i think i'm gonna go with the kazeras because of the money thing, and like i've been told and like to believe...with about 400 at my wheels in a few months, a few extra lbs wont kill me

 

less sidewall does give you better handling, because it is sturdier than big flabs of rubber
you can tell when your tire is flat how strong the sidewalls are. one of my tires has a nail in it, and i checked it once and the pressure was down to just under 20 psi, but i couldnt tell otherwise because of the stronger sidewalls. this also means that you need to be checking your psi more often.

i like those kz-a's i was thinking about either getting those or hyper 5zr's. what size of tires are you planning on getting?

 

There is a 6 lbs difference between 17lb wheels and 23lb wheels, I didn't mean to get all technical on you though.

 

I really like the Blitz type 03 wheels, but they weigh 26.8 lbs for 18x9. They are forged and look great but would add about 40 lbs. total on my car. Worth it?

 

i like those too

 

Are you thinking about getting rid of your bbs??? those things are sweet

 

Nope.......