Wheel width to Weight tradeoff

I was checking out tirerack and was looking at this set of wheels (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/DisplayWheel.jsp?wheelMake=WedsSport&wheelModel=TC005&wheelFinish=Light+Grey+Painted)
It comes in 17x7,7.5,8. 17x7 weighs in at 13.9lbs, the 17x7.5 weighs in at 15lbs and the 17x8 weighs 15.4lbs. I was wondering do you think that it is worth losing an inch of footprint per wheel to loose a total of 6 lbs of rotating mass???

I would like to hear some opinions and justifacation of them. thanks. ;)

I was wondering do you think that it is worth losing an inch of footprint per wheel to loose a total of 6 lbs of rotating mass???

Not a chance. Considering that rotating mass is much much more than just the wheels, I'd be suprised to see more than a 4-6% reduction. I think that extra inch will substantially help your traction, but the extra 6 lbs wont have too much effect on performance.

Which wheels were they? It just says session expired.

Which wheels were they? It just says session expired.

Sorry, it still works on mine. my browser must save the page.

The wheels I was looking at are the WedSport TC005.

Wider rims allow for wider tires, which provide more grip. With 8" you can run 245s and up. The extra bit of rubber helps on the street and on a course. Better and wider tires are the first logical upgrade if you're doing track time. I would guess it would also provide traction on the strip, but I really don't know or have any experience there. Maybe there's some friction tradeoff I'm not aware of :dunno:.

You're essentially gaining six pounds. It's easy to rip six pounds off the car, or lose them yourself. BTW that's not a fat joke, I have no idea what you look like. I'd rock the 8"'s personally.

Good looking rims BTW.

You're essentially gaining six pounds. It's easy to rip six pounds off the car, or lose them yourself. BTW that's not a fat joke, I have no idea what you look like. I'd rock the 8"'s personally. Good looking rims BTW.

My only thought behind it was since it was Rotating Mass instead of static mass that it might make more of a difference. Plus I have AWD so I don't have to have the biggest tire possible. I'm still not sure what my decision will be, I have some time to think about it(broke at the moment:banghead:). More opinions would be appreciated.

P.S. Does anyone remember what the stock 5-spoke wheels(like the ones in my sig) weigh in at???


EDIT----->I think I have the link in my first post fixed, so if anyone wants to check the wheels out you now can. :thumbsup:

My only thought behind it was since it was Rotating Mass instead of static mass that it might make more of a difference.

I didn't look at the weights, I figured that was with the conversion :(. Rotating mass is 3-4 times static. So, 20#s. I'd still rather drop that weight from the car. IMO, AWD or not, wider is better.

for weights/general info:
http://www.wheelweights.net/
http://www.wheelspecs.com/main/index.php
http://www.miata.net/garage/garagetires.html

for sizing:
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

IMO, AWD or not, wider is better.
I'm with him. You can ditch those 20lbs by taking the spare tire out.

I'm with him. You can ditch those 20lbs by taking the spare tire out.

But if I have the lighter wheels and take the tire out, I now have gotten rid of 40lbs. But as much tire spinning as Kevin experienced I think I will probably go with the 17X8. Im not that worried about saving weight, as much as I was eliminating rotating mass. But this isn't going to be a dedicated track car so 20 lbs really isnt going to matter. Plus I could always add alcohol injection and turn up the boost.;)

That site lists the 2g GSX rim as 25 lbs. But when I weighed mine they were 23.5 lbs. :confused:

That site lists the 2g GSX rim as 25 lbs. But when I weighed mine they were 23.5 lbs. :confused:

So I should be able to shave around 8-10 Lbs. a wheel. Sweet.:grinyes:

That site lists the 2g GSX rim as 25 lbs. But when I weighed mine they were 23.5 lbs. :confused:
Maybe it meant the 2g swirlies.