20" vs. 22" wheels and rotational mass

[vvv90]

So it's come down to me really wanting to get 22" wheels for my 3SRT, but I always hated the thought of losing performance.

The biggest misconception is wheel weight. The overall wheel weight doesn't have as much to do with accelleration, or lack there of as rotational mass does.

It's simple physics really, the further away from the hub that a majority of the weight is, the more energy it takes to move it.

Just like spinning around on a tire swing when you're a kid. If you pull your legs in you go faster yet your overall weight never changed.

22" wheel hoops are further away from the center and a majority of the weight of the wheel.

However, the overall diameter of a 22" wheel tire combo is probably about the same as my stock 20" wheel tire combo.

I'm just trying to figure out if it's a moot point and that if there's some way to determine the rotational resistances comparatively.

I know there's very heavy 22" wheels out there that look pretty....Not interested....I'm assuming I'll have to go with a very strong forged light weight (and expensive) wheel.

But how expensive I wonder?

Does anybody have any idea how I can determine this? Is there any wheel makers out there that have these facts?

Thanks!

[NavySRT]

Does anybody have any idea how I can determine this? Is there any wheel makers out there that have these facts?

I wish I could help you with this. I've looked for this type of info in the past, but was't able to come up with anything. If you find a good source of info, please pass it on.

[CSand78]

Can upon the guys at Wheel Executives, they're very knowledgeable about Forged Wheels, they might be able to help you out. I'm planning on getting some 22's for my 300C AWD next summer unless some unforseen expense comes up.

[3733H]

umm very interesting as I just purchased a set of forged 22".
I got no info though...

[Jected]

22's definitely affect performance of your vehicle. How do I know this. Well let s just say I received a very rude shock when I had my car dyno'd 2 weeks back running 22's. I was down 20rwkw.....yes 20 Kilowatts. Fitted the 20's back on and there we go.

I also assumed that seeing the 22's weren't that much bigger (if at all) there wouldn't be a problem but definitely saw a difference.

22's great for looks not performance Glad I kept the 20's.

[Neuro300C]

Here you go.

http://www.mazda6tech.com/files/wheel_inertia.xls

It has been revised a couple times and is quite accurate I believe.

[wanna300]

here you go, vvv90

Moment of inertia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[CUEBALL]

Matt,
For me, I just figured that since I don't track the car, and I don't speed more than about 10 mph over the limit ( I am enjoying the slow cruise after 6 straight years of F1 style driving in Germany ) that I would just get a 22" forged wheel (ID Wheels 311) that I liked and call it a day. Otherwise, I agonized 2 years over the 20 vs 22 debate, stock vs forged etc until i was crazy and still driving on stock rims.

So I guess it depends on your application.... you could always change to drag wheels on the track, and style around on some 22's....

[vvv90]

Originally Posted by CUEBALL

Matt,
For me, I just figured that since I don't track the car, and I don't speed more than about 10 mph over the limit ( I am enjoying the slow cruise after 6 straight years of F1 style driving in Germany ) that I would just get a 22" forged wheel (ID Wheels 311) that I liked and call it a day. Otherwise, I agonized 2 years over the 20 vs 22 debate, stock vs forged etc until i was crazy and still driving on stock rims.

So I guess it depends on your application.... you could always change to drag wheels on the track, and style around on some 22's....

True, but I also don't want to lose the performance on the street.

I'm learning. Hopefully it will really just come down to overall weight. If that's the case then there's a lot of nice, and reasonably priced 22's to choose from if I'm not mistaken.

[Chase023]

Well this is the same debate I been having with myself and others I have asked for opinion of.

I think that because we already have 20s for our rides as stock, if you do plan on upgrading wheels, might as well and get 22s, but then like you I was thinking I don't want to lose performance either so maybe a different style 20s from the stock wheels.

I know which wheels I want to get but just debating myself over and over between the 20"s or 22"s.. ARG!!

Damn I still not 100% on going with 22s.. LOL