What is the difference between sprung and unsprung weight.. Which is better, and why Do I want to have them?

Thanks, Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Unsprung weight is all the stuff that moves up and down in the suspension. Wheels, tires, brakes, 1/2 the control arms, etc. Sprung weight is everything supported by the suspension or the rest of the car if you will. All the unsprung stuff has to move for the tire to follow the road. The more mass that stuff has the more force it takes to change the velocity of those components. The less unsprung mass you have the easier it is for the springs and dampers to keep the all important tire contact patch in firm contact with the road. Mass is bad, but necessary.

It's usually expensive to reduce unsprung weight. Light, but strong wheels, aluminum brake calipers, 2-piece rotors with aluminum hubs and hats instead of the giant lump of iron we call a brake rotor all cost a pretty penny. Rotating weight is especially bad. If you think of the wheels, tires and rotating brake parts as flywheels on each corner of the car it's clear that it takes horsepower to accelerate them and braking force to slow them.

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Joshua

Take this for what it is worth, but I have spent mega $$$ putting ultra light wheels and tires on 4 different cars that I have raced over the years. I have never gained so much as .01 in ET from it.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I agree with Bagel I have lite weight alluninum wheels lite weight front tires removing sprung weight is where you get bang for the buck. Every 100 lbs is about a tenth faster. Usually tearing stuff out is cheap and easy to a point. Thanks Ron Parker









It Aint Over Until I Win

You should try closed course road racing.

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Joshua

If I had the ability to turn corners I wouldn't be a drag racer.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

If you can turn, you're not going fast enough.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

That's why road race cars have brakes that work.

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Joshua