What makes more of a difference? wheel size or weight?

[zakatak47]

Hi, I used to have bottlecaps which I hated and found some 16"OZ F1 cup/plus type wheels on craigslist. I noticed loss of torque and now am looking to get smaller ones.

What caused more of a loss in torque, the increase in size of the wheel or the weight? Bottlecaps are 14bs and info I've found on the OZ are that they are ~23-26lbs.

I just want to know if I were to get 16" again but lighter(rota slipstream?) if i would gain back some of that torque or would it be better to get 15"? I was looking for 15" but I keep finding 16" for sale.

what is your suggestion for a good balanced wheel?

Thanks for any input and advice.

[Best_name_available]

there was no "loss in torque" by putting on bigger wheels (and probably incorrectly sized tires) you changed your gearing making your gears longer (bringing down acceleration and increasing top speed)

[Todd Black 88]

there was no "loss in torque" by putting on bigger wheels (and probably incorrectly sized tires) you changed your gearing making your gears longer (bringing down acceleration and increasing top speed)

If the rolling circumference of the tire and wheel package stay the same as it was before, no matter what size wheel, there is no "gearing" change.
Ie;
205/55/15
225/45/16 are almost exactly the same in rolling circumference.<.4%
225/40/17 is still very close, at less then .8% difference.

OP, it is the weight that makes the difference. Rotating mass.

[e30 gangsta]

^ ding ding you are correct.

[SPDSKTR]

Isn't shedding 1 lb. of unsprung weight the same as "freeing up" ~1 HP?

[Mr. Tasty]

Isn't shedding 1 lb. of unsprung weight the same as "freeing up" ~1 HP?

1 lb unsprung is similar to 4lb off the car.

[reelizmpro]

Those weights are pretty heavy for a 16" wheel too.