Why larger diameter wheels in rear?
I guess this is just a general automotive question. I have noticed this for years but never bothered asking, but in sports cars such as the Corvette why don't they come standard with the same diameter wheel in the front? I understand the use for wider wheels in the rear for bigger tires for better traction but what's the deal with the smaller diameter wheel in the front? Why not 18s all around?
-Alex |
Rotating mass is the biggest killer of HP. The smaller the diameter, the more the weight is centered with the axle; therefore, the weight rotates less. The lighter the wheel/tire and the smaller the diameter, the better translation to HP. Take a look at a dragster.
Speed |
okay so why not then 17s all around?
-Alex |
Perhaps it was a cosmetic decision.
|
cosmetic/ better areodynamics with the nose down:thumbs:
|
Originally Posted by j curtiss
(Post 1565027748)
Perhaps it was a cosmetic decision.
|
Originally Posted by AlexSmith
(Post 1565026341)
...for bigger tires for better traction...
-Alex HP/aerodynamics/etc related, it is nearly always a compromise of some sort. Speed |
Originally Posted by Speeed-Racer
(Post 1565026487)
Rotating mass is the biggest killer of HP. The smaller the diameter, the more the weight is centered with the axle; therefore, the weight rotates less. The lighter the wheel/tire and the smaller the diameter, the better translation to HP. Take a look at a dragster.
Speed |
Originally Posted by rcarl
(Post 1565028587)
I'm by far not an engineer, but out of curiosity wouldn't this only have an effect on the drive wheels??
nice, recent thread on the subject Look for mqqn at post #9 and AU N GEL at post #14 for a deeper explanation. Speed |
Here's why. If you take a wider wheel in the rear and pair it with a narrower wheel in the front of the same diameter, the front wheel looks like it's larger diameter than the rear. It's an illusion but it does look like the fronts are bigger. I hate Vettes with same diameter wheels all around. In fact my Charger STR8 suffered from the same problem. I used to have a GTO and everyone was doing same diameter wheels front and back but with deep rims on the back. The fronts always looked bigger. I have attached a picture of my GTO two different diameter wheels and they look like they are the same sizes.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82...00102Small.jpg |
I assume, and I wasn't on the design team, that they did that so that they could run a taller tire in the rear and have the same size sidewall.
|
read All Corvettes Are Red. Joe Spielman and John Carafo decided the car looked better with larger rear wheels. Spielman was the boss hog developing the C5. what the larger rears lost in cD and weight made up for in aesthetics.
guys, read the book. it's worth the effort....... you will be surprised . . |
Originally Posted by 10U 99
(Post 1565031162)
read All Corvettes Are Red. Joe Spielman and John Carafo decided the car looked better with larger rear wheels. Spielman was the boss hog developing the C5. what the larger rears lost in cD and weight made up for in aesthetics.
guys, read the book. it's worth the effort....... you will be surprised . . |
Originally Posted by jak112460
(Post 1565029055)
Here's why. If you take a wider wheel in the rear and pair it with a narrower wheel in the front of the same diameter, the front wheel looks like it's larger diameter than the rear. It's an illusion but it does look like the fronts are bigger. I hate Vettes with same diameter wheels all around. In fact my Charger STR8 suffered from the same problem. I used to have a GTO and everyone was doing same diameter wheels front and back but with deep rims on the back. The fronts always looked bigger. I have attached a picture of my GTO two different diameter wheels and they look like they are the same sizes.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82...00102Small.jpg |
If you look at the wheels specifically on a C5 it's way obvious the fronts are smaller.
|
Originally Posted by Kamil D.
(Post 1565032583)
Beck looks way bigger
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:16 AM. |
© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands