So looking into getting new rims found a few that I like in my price range. One of them weight 23lb where as the others ones are 20lb. I weighed the stock rims which seem to be at 20.6lb.

So my question is how much will 3lb a wheel make a deference as far as hp, gas milage, speed times, handling, and braking. Didn't know if any one had a formula or a calculator program that could answer this.

 

yes it would make a difference, 23lbs from stock is about a 15% increase in mass. And what's most important is what is know as "unsprung weight".

Okay think about this, if you have to move 3lbs more, sure that doesn't seems like a lot but you'll require more energy to get it to move from a stop, which is lower acceleration, and once it's moving, to keep that mass rotating would require the engine to work harder, leading you to lower gas mileage. Plus, you'll notice you're hitting the gas harder to get the car moving than you did with the stock wheels. And the same goes for braking, would require more brake power (less brake pad life) to stop something heavier.

try and find a wheel that's closer to the stock wheel weight + - 1lb is what I'd say. The suspension/drivetrain was tuned for that mass (weight) hanging out on the corners of the car, I'd stick closer to it.

The other goes for lighter, better acceleration, more nimble handling, but of course if you go cheap quality and lightweight, you're asking for bent rims. hope I helped with your question.

 

lighter is better, require less energy to start moving and stopping.

 

Yup! Size makes a big difference too. It's like lifting weights... It takes more effort to get a heavier wheel going as opposed to a lighter wheel.

 

While it does make a differece. Unless you are at a track trying to make up those thousandths of a second to beat out the competition, I dont think your really going to notice, or mind the difference.

For day to day driving, just get them.

 

you'll never notice

 

The 23 pounders that I was looking at are the Falken torque 5. So I have narrowed down my search to a 17" 5 star or mesh rim with a polished lip in gunmetal style color. So my other options are the konig crosshairs or about 4 different rims on wheelmax.com you can just type in scion tc to see them. I think the brands are nexo and excel has anyone heard of them, know if they are any good?

Please leave feedback so I can make up my mind. Like to keep it under $150 a wheel. My tc is silver 07 with Tein S Techs wth 225/45/17 BF Goodwrench g Force.

I really like the Falken torque 5 but the weight issue and that it says Falken on the side when I have BF Goodwrench tires is what is holding me up.

I'm ordering the sportmax/xxr black mesh with red lip rims for my 08 code red Nissan Altima coupe.

 

Thats 3 more lbs slamming toward your car every time you hit a bump.

 

After looking into the sportmax/xxr 006 black mesh with red lip rim that I'm getting for the altima I have found the sportmax/xxr 502s in the chromium black/hyper black which are a twin 5 star design with a 2" lip and they weigh in at 20.5lb. So I think I'm going to go with them. Also found out that both rims are true 2 piece designs and the company has been around since 1976.

 

 

Ouch so what is the story behind the picture what style is it, what series of tire was on it what did it hit, etc...

 

shouldn't really matter lol, it was a sport max wheel and a 17" i believe. i made that picture a while ago so i don't really remember the story but i remember that the guy was driving around a corner and he stated that his wheel "exploded"

 

Well I went ahead and ordered the xxr 502 and 006 so hopefully they don't break but I couldnt resist for only $120 a wheel. If they do I will just buy another one and if it does I'm sure I'll let everyone know and make a simuliar picture to post in my garage as a reminder. I know they are cast rims and not forged but I'm pretty careful and I'm running 225/45 tires that will absorb more shock.

 

wouldn't you know it the 502s are on back order. I will not get them for another 5 weeks. To beat all I tried everywhere to get them and everyone is out and actually found discounttires.com that are selling both rims for only $109 each. I wish I found them before hand I could have saved a lot of money.

 

You do notice the wheel weight. I have a set of 17 x 8 kosei K1 TS that I toss on the car every now and then and they weigh 15lbs each. You can feel it if you want to sense it. But for the most part its not gonna matter.