Performance loss with bigger wheels?

Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE · Post by **Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE** » March 4th, 2005, 7:39 pm

Hi all,

I recently added these to my '94 1.8 V6 SE:

However, I've noticed a considerable performance loss, especially between 70mph and 110mph - it takes AGES, i mean, literally crawls 1mph per second in 4th, whereas before it would jog through 4th gear. I've noticed it in all gears, but this is the best example, it's really noticable.

Is this normal? I think with the lower profile tyre the rolling radius is approx the same, maybe slightly bigger, but surely this performance hit wouldn't be caused by just this!?!?!

It's getting dropped 40mm tomorrow morning.... (and calipers painted red!

)

Thanks in advance,
David

Neil · Post by **Neil** » March 4th, 2005, 7:42 pm

I think how it works with rims is, If you goto a bigger rim, it takes longer for the wheel to do a full rotation which interms slows down your acceleration. And unless you buy lightweight rims, most aftermarket rims actually weight quite a bit more than stock rims. Two factors of which might be causing your problem. Im sure someone else will be able to answer your question better than i can.

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » March 4th, 2005, 7:45 pm

Guess you will just have to turbo it to make up the difference

Tunes67

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » March 4th, 2005, 7:47 pm

bigger wheels WILL slow your car down, unless theyre lighter than stock ones or you've done swap/power upgrades, btw 94 SE??? SE's were made only in 93 like mine.

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » March 4th, 2005, 8:17 pm

Just a shot in the dark on the SE topic.. but the SE's in north america were to commemorate mazda being in North America for 25 years right? Well maybe they didnt make it to 25 years in the UK til 94? Just a guess...

Tunes67

93-Spec-Edn · Post by **93-Spec-Edn** » March 4th, 2005, 8:43 pm

That has definately helped me make up my mind wheather to go with 17's. Anyone else noticed this loss? I think I am gonna stick with stock!!

papa roached · Post by **papa roached** » March 4th, 2005, 8:57 pm

see, now you cant laugh at me for buying 15 inch wheels that weight 10.8 lbs

johnnyb · Post by **johnnyb** » March 4th, 2005, 9:00 pm

I have 17's and I noticed it takes a little longer to start moving but other then that its not a huge difference. Its not like I'm in it to race anyone anyway I prefer looks to performance because I realize my car isnt some supercar that is out to race everything. I'm a cruising guy

Ricksmx3 · Post by **Ricksmx3** » March 4th, 2005, 9:02 pm

Well i dont notice any difference at all. Might be because all my engine work was done after i put the wheels on so maybe it made up for it.

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » March 4th, 2005, 9:16 pm

Tunes67 wrote:Just a shot in the dark on the SE topic.. but the SE's in north america were to commemorate mazda being in North America for 25 years right? Well maybe they didnt make it to 25 years in the UK til 94? Just a guess...

Tunes67

25 years in canada, came with heated seats too, american ones didnt but they still made them in US. Canadian ones had sticker on fender with 25th anniversary sticker

Nd4SpdSe · Post by **Nd4SpdSe** » March 4th, 2005, 9:45 pm

Ya, i haven't noticed any performance difference either...

kiwi_MX3 · Post by **kiwi_MX3** » March 4th, 2005, 10:46 pm

Ok, the maths is a wee bit off,

But for every lb's of rotating mass F=M*D
On rims its about 1Hp per pound and non stock rims
weight in a lot more.

johnnyb · Post by **johnnyb** » March 4th, 2005, 10:54 pm

something to keep in mind is with a bigger rim once you reach speed the car needs to do less work to keep this speed because of the distribution of the weight in the rims. But other then that its not a huge difference in performance.

papa roached · Post by **papa roached** » March 4th, 2005, 11:09 pm

i noticed a difference when i went to the light 15s, but i also went to a slightly shorter tire to for a bit better gearing

hgallegos915 · Post by **hgallegos915** » March 5th, 2005, 12:55 am

I noticed a huge performance loss when i went with 205 55 r 16 and steel rims..i cant wait till i wear out these tires to go back to 105 55 r 15. I used to be ableto peel out in second gear..not anymore. ..can be contributed to other factors.