Quote:
Originally Posted by MTrenk
Something else to consider is the weight reduction, and also the reduction of rotational inertia. Generally, the rim will have more of an effect on rotational inertia than the tire.
Inertia resists movement, so rotational inertia will resist rotation. Less R.I. will mean it's easier to accelerate, so you are reducing the load on the engine. Therefore, you can accelerate to the same speed with less effort: more efficiency!
- The further away mass is from the center of rotation, the more inertia.
- The more mass, the more inertia.
Unless you are rockin custom Carbon Fiber rims, your rim is going to be the main factor for inertia. Using the aforementioned principles, best thing you can do is get a smaller, lighter rim. Then, going a step further, you can get a smaller tire. This will lower your car, pushing more air over the top, reducing drag created from the turbulence on the underside of the car (unless you have installed an effective underbody.) AND, you'll be reducing the overall weight of the car. It's a win-win-win!  |
IF I was racing for good money, this wasn't my only car, and I had a more disposable income, I would have already done all of this, or be waiting for a chance to get it done.
Trust me, none of those are so. I don't know how important a lot of those factors are considering others. If one were to do everything you said with all equipment and work free, only paying for materials, I imagine the FE gain would be lower, and the cost higher, than doing a simple belly pan.
On that note, welcome to the board, your input is appreciated! I only shrug it off because that is not cost effective for the serious guys here, let alone me. There are surely other members who may have use for such knowledge.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcrews
not hardly 
while therories are nice.........
1. smaller tire will have lower weight capabilities. (see search)
2. smaller tires reduce the final gear ratio, resulting in higher rpms resulting in lower mpg. (see search)
3. smaller tires reduce drive comfort
4. you assume no underbelly pan.....that is one of the major projects we do. (see search) the drag reduction from a pan is the single greatest reduction in drag. Why skip it? 
5. finally, lowered cars bang into things (see search) sowe me a lowered car that has been drivin 40k miles and I'll so you a pile of crap. |
For me, I am dropping .5 inch up front, to stock height. So the height right now is minimal, BUT over the next few years I could see going as drastic as 16/20, but Who knows, I shop by deals, not by wants.
I
crave an underpan. I have a 6 year all inclusive warranty, so I am thinking after this winter when I get underneath to clean her real well, I will figure out how easy it is to do, and decide from there. If I do it, I want to learn more about diffusers, to actually work on the bottom. Such as the underbody of the Ford GT. surely there are more, I am just not familiar with others.