UtahVince

Just changed wheels and tires on my 98 coupe. Had stock run-flats on the stock wheels (thick spoke). Imagine my surprise after comparing the weight of the stock wheels with factory mags that I purchased. The mags weighed in at 17+ lb front and 19+ lb rear; about what I had always heard- very light. Also, I had read from several sources that the stock "wagon wheels" were very heavy, real clunkers, about 22 lbs for the front and 29 rear. These figures are from several posts on the forum. So I put them on the scale- and got quite a surprise- 19 lb in front and 20 lb in the rear.
Oh well, not quite the weight savings I was hoping for, but I still dig the look and "exclusivity" of the mags. And I'm off the run-flats and really looking forward to riding my new Nitto NT555 Extremes.

mozin

Are you sure that your old wheels were not from a 2000 or later C5?

UtahVince

Nope, came off a 98 which I bought new in Dec 97.

mozin

As often as the C5 wheel weights have been discussed on the CF I cannot understand how your wheels weigh other than the 22# & 29# as quoted here so often. Maybe someone else has an idea of what is going on here with your light wheels.

UtahVince

I wish I knew the answer . . .

FrankLT4CE

I weighed one of my front mags with no center cap, balance weights, or valve stem in a perfectly clean condition and it weighed 17.01 pounds at my local post office, so that number matches yours. Car and Driver reported, when N73 was introduced that it saved 8 pounds per vehicle over the thick spokes in aluminum, so that closely matches what you weighed. I always assumed that Car and Driver made a mistake based on what I have read on this forum ie maybe an average of 8 pounds per wheel??? Magnesium is only about 68 % as dense as aluminum and the section thicknesses seem similar on my GS style 5 spokes so I am really confused too.
I assume you measured your wheels on the same scale, same day, same manner with no tires involved. Maybe the answer is that bathroom scales are not accurate or that you held the different wheels further away or closer to your body. (I've noticed discrepencies when I have used my digital bathroom scale to weigh the 270 or so pounds that I have removed from my car and only trust weighing the whole car anymore.) How exactly did you measure each wheel?
By the way readers of this post (it seems Mozin and I like this subject :-) ) might find it interesting that Goodyear GSC tires seem to be considerably lighter than many other street tires. For size 275/40R17 they weigh 26.4 pounds whereas most other tires I looked at were around 30 pounds. Hoosier makes some racing tires (not for street) that weigh 21.3? pounds.

FrankLT4CE :confused: :chevy :)

UtahVince

Admittedly, the bathroom scale I used could be a source of error. But it had the magnesium weights right (17 and 19) and I used the same method under the same conditions when weighing the "wagon wheels".
Now that I think about it, Road and Track, in their initial review of the then-new C5 also mentioned something about an 8 lb weight savings with the mags . . .
I have no idea how anyone came up with the 22 and 28 numbers. Absolutely no way.

mozin

UtahVince,

Since you have those old wheels just sitting around how about finding a "real" scale and weigh them? A postal scale sounds like a good option and many post office lobbies have them.

UtahVince

Ya know, I just may do that . . .
I'll keep you posted

ifeeltheneedforspeed

thought I would chime in as I just bought the 02' ZO6 wheels (spin cast) to replace my stock 99' polished aluminum wheels.

Stock 99' polished 17x8.5 front: 19.5 lbs
Stock 99' polished 18x9.5 rear: 22.0 lbs

Stock 02' ZO6 painted 17x9.5 front: 18.5 lbs
Stock 02' ZO6 painted 19x10.5 rear: 20.5 lbs

UtahVince

The verdict is in! Weighed my stock '98 thick spoke wheels on a very accurate scale. No tire pressure sensors, no center caps, no balance weights, just with a rubber valve stem:
Front wheel- 19.24 lbs
Rear wheel- 21.38 lbs
And that's the end of the "old wive's tale" of wagon wheels weighing 22 and 29 lbs.

mozin

Pretty hard to argue with you now. I wonder if the weights of the other styles of C5 wheels are without the pressure sensors and center caps, but including the rubber valve stem? There is certainly a weight difference between the old style sensors with the band around the wheel versus the new style valve stem sensor. It would not make much difference in total weight but I am still curious.

Thanks for taking your time on this wheel weight issue.


[Modified by mozin, 9:02 AM 9/18/2002]

Bill Benavitz

My wheels were weighed without sensors, caps, stems, or wheel nuts (stripped)

MitchAlsup

1 lb saved from a rotating coponent is equal to 4 lbs saved from sprung weight.

UtahVince

Oh, I'm not complaining- I'll take the 8 lbs total weight savings. And as you say, it is rotating, unsprung weight. . .
Hey, Frank, where did you get 270 lbs out of your vehicle? Man, that's a lot of tonage. In my opinion, it's also the best way to get performance. Reducing weight increases engine performance, improves handling and braking, and increases gas mileage.

FrankLT4CE

UtahVince:
Quote: Hey, Frank, where did you get 270 lbs out of your vehicle? Man, that's a lot of tonage. In my opinion, it's also the best way to get performance. Reducing weight increases engine performance, improves handling and braking, and increases gas mileage.

I agree that is my thinking exactly. (Other pluses include greater resale value when I put the beautiful interior back in, my enjoyment as a daily driver in that I don't have to worry about interior wear and tear, and lack of appeal to thiefs.) But it is not for everyone. I think very few forum members would want to do what I have done.
Based on what you learned on aluminum wheel weight not being as much as other posts have stated I have to revise my estimate at only 255 lbs. Sorry. Last year I did weigh the whole car low on gas at 3060 lbs. I believe according to advertising it weighed 3298 from the factory, unfortunately I was too anxious to start removing weight when I first got it and did not bother weighing it I go to a grain elevator scale which reads out digitally in 20 lb increments, verified by state regulation. I need to weigh it again in the next month or so to know accurately my efforts of the last year. I have not removed anything that I believe would affect safety. This is my list.
Removed:
all carpeting (including door sills and associated plastic)
rear storage covers and plastic trays
all insulation under carpeting (except over transmission tunnel)
roll shade
interior trim around rear window
roof storage brackets
interior light lenses
console
power seat wiring (Surprisingly heavy)
power seats and rails (replace with manual seat rails and base seats from an 84)
passengers seat (I leave the manual passengers side rails in, so I can bolt the passengers seat in in about 2 minutes when I need it)
IP side covers
LH and RH IP under trim covers (not the ones that affect crash safety)
trim cover for parking brake
cigarette lighter
plastic piece with shift pattern in shifter ****
wrench for top
owners manual
some vents in IP
mufflers
engine trim covers and attaching studs
washer bottle
one horn
throttle body hose and clip
plastic lug not covers
wheel center caps
rear liscense plate plastic holder and 4 steel brackets and rivets
Replaced:
5 spoke 96 CE aluminum wheels with 17 inch magnesium wheels from C5
painted top with transparent top
aftermarket tires with Goodyear GS-C 275/40R17 tires (all 4) 26.4 lbs each
mufflers with straight 2.5 inch stainless steel tubing (no tips)
On the way:
3 lb aluminum jack from Mercedes to replace steel jack 9? lbs
Possible future changes:
remove spare tire and carrier add rear crash bar in its place, add tire plug kit and inflation can
Grand Prix Circa 92-96 headlights in fascia to remove rotating assemblies
aluminum flywheel (when I need a new clutch)
light weight starter
light weight battery
headers
Bose stereo, speakers, and anteanea (ouch this hurts)
AC (Double ouch)

If anyone has more ideas for a daily drivers weight reduction please post them. Thanks FrankLT4CE :chevy :seeya

Face

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=388326
:cheers:

KK6DV

Don't have a weight savings, however, I do have 98 Wheels in the replacement thin spoke 2000 wheel boxes. I did the change for looks, weight was just a plus. I also read the 22 and 29 lb. story awhile back, believed it and didn’t weigh my 98s. I just weighted (twice on a bathroom scale with me holding the wheel) a 17" wheel and got a 19 lb. difference (me w/wo the wheel). Somewhere I read about "forged steel wheels" but I think that was in the beginning of the 2000 run. Enjoy a beautiful weekend.
[IMG][/IMG] :cheers:

nmbis2k

GM says 2 pounds lighter for factory mag wheels vs. stock c-5 wheels.

Good luck

UtahVince

That is hardcore, Frank.
Stuff that I'm looking to eliminate are the air pump, catalytic converters, rear speakers. On the dream list: lightweight hood, exhaust and seats. I would also love to get rid of the air bags and door impact beams- but that might require major surgery.
Hey, I just thought of something- what about geting rid of the windshield wiper fliud tank? I've had that part out (to paint)- I bet it's 12 lbs with fluid!