Reducing Unsprung Weight: G37 Benefits?
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From: Northwest Oregon
Reducing Unsprung Weight: G37 Benefits?
I've been thinking about trying to reduce the unsprung weight on my G37 Sedan. I have the stock 17" Journey wheels with General AS-05's on them now. I don't have much personal experience in doing this, but the benefits sound pretty great. But, as we all know, things don't always turn out the way we are told they will. I would be looking at getting the lightest 18" wheels I could afford, along with 14" Akebono brakes with 2-piece disks. I don't think I would make weight the primary concern in tire selection though.
Has anyone else tried cutting unsprung weight, and has it made a noticeable difference? What was good and bad about the results?
Has anyone else tried cutting unsprung weight, and has it made a noticeable difference? What was good and bad about the results?
I can't think of a single thing thats bad about reducing unsprung weight..you can definitely feel it in the steering and acceleration....if you go to a lighter wheel though you want to get a forged wheel as lighter cast wheels compromise strength
don't underestimate tire weight though.... from manufacturer to manufacturer theres a great deal of variance for the same size tire also within a particular manufacturer going up or down one size may make a significant weight difference...I have even found with a few tires going to a larger size tires are sometimes lighter for some reason.
you sound like you're on the right rack as it is, some other things to consider if its in budget titanium control/camber/toe arms if you are looking ot get adjustable suspension...if its jsut for weight thouhg the returns begin to diminish with these items
don't underestimate tire weight though.... from manufacturer to manufacturer theres a great deal of variance for the same size tire also within a particular manufacturer going up or down one size may make a significant weight difference...I have even found with a few tires going to a larger size tires are sometimes lighter for some reason.
you sound like you're on the right rack as it is, some other things to consider if its in budget titanium control/camber/toe arms if you are looking ot get adjustable suspension...if its jsut for weight thouhg the returns begin to diminish with these items
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If you're really going for lightweight, theres always the like 80lbs of sound deadening foam and creature comforts you can rip out.
The easy stuff; Pull the spare tire, the hood liner, carpets, etc... That's gotta be like 50lbs at least.
The easy stuff; Pull the spare tire, the hood liner, carpets, etc... That's gotta be like 50lbs at least.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
I went from the stock OEM 19's to a wider, lightweight 18'. Total weight saved was about 15-20lbs per wheel/tire combo. Also threw on 2pc rotors on the front, so I cut about 60lbs? total of rotating, unsprung weight off the front axle alone. The difference was instantly noticeable. Steering felt way more precise, the car felt like it accelerated harder and it actually felt more comfortable.
You have to remember that when you remove weight of a rotating mass, you remove some of it's tendency to resist change in movement - think of a lightweight gyro vs. a heavy one, and ones at the very extreme corners of the car. For me, there were no downsides other than cost.
You have to remember that when you remove weight of a rotating mass, you remove some of it's tendency to resist change in movement - think of a lightweight gyro vs. a heavy one, and ones at the very extreme corners of the car. For me, there were no downsides other than cost.
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I went from the stock OEM 19's to a wider, lightweight 18'. Total weight saved was about 15-20lbs per wheel/tire combo. Also threw on 2pc rotors on the front, so I cut about 60lbs? total of rotating, unsprung weight off the front axle alone. The difference was instantly noticeable. Steering felt way more precise, the car felt like it accelerated harder and it actually felt more comfortable.
You have to remember that when you remove weight of a rotating mass, you remove some of it's tendency to resist change in movement - think of a lightweight gyro vs. a heavy one, and ones at the very extreme corners of the car. For me, there were no downsides other than cost.
You have to remember that when you remove weight of a rotating mass, you remove some of it's tendency to resist change in movement - think of a lightweight gyro vs. a heavy one, and ones at the very extreme corners of the car. For me, there were no downsides other than cost.
Pretty much this. Also noticed the car rolled much easier just letting the clutch out.
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I currently have 17's(winter setup) and 18's(Summer setup). Basic brembo rotors. Looking to get my rotors replaced as they have warped, and wondering what people recommend. Also would like to get 19's for my summer setup and flip some new tires on the 18's.
(Might list the winter setup in the classifieds after this season, if I find the right wheel!
(Might list the winter setup in the classifieds after this season, if I find the right wheel!
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From: Fort Myers, FL
Keep in mind, when you drastically change unsrung weight, you may just have to "tune" the suspension. Rebound and damper rates specifically (think adjustable coilovers)
As the stock suspension is set up to handle the stock rim and tire.
You can actually hurt traction with too heavy of a spring and damper.
As the stock suspension is set up to handle the stock rim and tire.
You can actually hurt traction with too heavy of a spring and damper.
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Oh trust me, not spending any money on this right now. Pads and rotors are under warranty, and I’m going to replace all the clips, sliders, grease everything and check out the caliper. If the caliper is starting to show issues, I’ll have to look at other options. BBK might be out of the question for me due to 17’s.
Before anyone calls the PC Police (of which I'm a citizen volunteer 
), here's a little background on the phrase, which came from the race track in reference to a Ferrari technique from years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_tuneup
), here's a little background on the phrase, which came from the race track in reference to a Ferrari technique from years ago.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_tuneup
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From: Southern MN
Before anyone calls the PC Police (of which I'm a citizen volunteer ), here's a little background on the phrase, which came from the race track in reference to a Ferrari technique from years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_tuneup
), here's a little background on the phrase, which came from the race track in reference to a Ferrari technique from years ago.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_tuneup
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Only when I have a couple km ahead of me and a tank of gas and a heavy foot, will I consider that an Italian tuneup. Quick redlines aren’t the same.