Wheel size and hp

Wheel and tire information and upgrade discussions
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tstatum
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 3:24 am

Wheel size and hp

Post by tstatum »

I've been told by a few people that if you increase your wheel Size you will lose some hp just wondering if anybody can tell me if that's true or how secnifacant the loss is?
My VibeBase 05'Salsa Mono, Moon and Tune
nismo
Posts: 2068
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2003 11:01 pm

Re: Wheel size and hp (tstatum)

Post by nismo »

I'm sorry to inform you that this information is SOOO False. You have more rotating mass to move, so, this may make the car seem slower.Inder
2008 Chevy Cobalt SS Turbo - Fun stuff under there somewhere 1998 Nissan Sentra - Sold2004 Pontiac Vibe - 107k and SoldCosmo CAI
satur9
Posts: 1127
Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2003 2:42 am

Re: Wheel size and hp (TRD4reel)

Post by satur9 »

if its heavier wheel.then its take more power to turn.but i think the biggest factor is a larger size changes gearing.if you stay wh plus sizing and your wheels aret lead.the difference should be negligible.
look my sniggies, i had a strizz-oke in my brizz-ain okay,you know what im saying. so i cant move all good. but thanks for mentioning that .thank you very much.athf4evr. click here! you know you want to!!!
MadBill
Posts: 1513
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2002 9:39 am

Re: Wheel size and hp (satur9)

Post by MadBill »

Expanding on satur9's answer, bigger/heavier wheels have more rotational inertia, so even if the outside diameter and thus the effective gearing of the vehicle is the same, they will reduce vehicle acceleration. The weight increase will have about twice the effect as just carrying the same additional mass in the vehicle, as they have to be spun up like a flywheel as well as being moved along the road. Heavier wheels don't change the actual engine power of course, but the very popular Dynojet and similar design chassis dynamometers are inertia devices, that is they calculate HP based on how quickly the engine can accelerate a very heavy flywheel/roller. Since heavier wheels act as additional flywheel mass when accelerating, such a dyno will show lower HP with them.
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