Calling All Mazda Engineers

[BB Wulf]

Wouldn't it be great to have a dialogue with the guys who designed our cars? I've been looking at upgrading my wheels to a 17" rim, but the ones I'm interested in weigh 23 pounds. Ok, so exactly how is that going to effect acceleration and ride? What range of wheel weight was the stock suspension originally designed for? How about flow parameters for our intake and exhaust systems? Maybe shed some insight into the ECU programming? Perhaps a little chat about our paint and transmissions? The Mazda engineers figured all this stuff out (or at least I hope they did.), but the public at large never has access to that specific information. Maybe the manufacturers are afraid of liability or revealing some proprietary secrets, but it sure would make the after-market tuner's life a lot easier... End of rant.
(rant)

 

[Aazel]

Just remember when it comes to wheels, less rotating mass is better. So if your at or under the stock weight, your fine. Also, as long as the actual height is about the same, you won't have any noticeable diffrence in your Speedometer.

 

[Jim Frye]

There's an old cycling adage...

That an ounce on the wheel is worth a pound on the frame. The same applies to cars to a lesser degree as cars are not quite as underpowered at bicycles (unless you are Lance Armstrong). Reducing unsprung weight can have a dramatic effect on the acceleration, deceleration, ride quality, and handling of a car. It's far more noticable in our relatively light compacts than in a larger, heavier car. Jim

 

[ph0enixrising]

Anyone know if the 17" MP3 rims are lighter or heavier than our 16" ones?

 

[7th_Shadow]

So if i get lighter rims than the stock ones my car will go faster ??
any problems with lighter wheels???

 

[Aazel]

Why do you think they make wheels out of magnesium? Its super light and strong.

 

[BB Wulf]

Seems like during my research I found that the MP3 rims fall in the 21 to 23 pound range - I can't remember the exact number. The stock 16" rim weighs in at around 16 pounds - not really that bad. From what I've read, you've got everything to gain and nothing to lose if you go with a lighter rim. Also, I think a "ballpark" number is that for every 5 pounds of unsprung weight you lose the equivalent of 1 horsepower of performance. Of course if we could find that Mazda engineer...