I know this is a bit apples to oranges, but I cannot do light weight wheels AND lower the suspension. I have Stock V-spokes which willsoon get some improved (non-runflat) rubber. What will affect the car for the better, light wheels, or a set of lowering springs and perhaps an intake etc?

The only mod I have already is the Madness rear swaybar.

Thanks!

 

Lighter wheels, unsprung weight is the enemy.

X2

 

Lighter wheels will help all aspects of driving and performance, i.e., acceleration, braking, handling, gas mileage. Especially if you save a lot of weight. The more the better.

 

IIRC the v-spokes that you have are 17#, which isn't entirely bad. Unless you're going to SSRs or something, and talking about dropping 6#, I don't think that you'll notice the difference.

I on the other hand had the S-lites and went to sub-14# wheels and it was noticeable. (About 10+ lbs from each wheel.)

If you're looking for immediate bang-for-the-buck, I'd get a swaybar and springs, with wheels later.

Are you thinking of sticking with 16" rims or going with 17s?

Jeff in ATL

 

While both will make a significant improvement in feel I'll bet that the wheels and tires improve lap times a whole lot more. But the springs are only a couple of hundred bucks! Save up.

 

Jeff,

The V-Spokes are only 17lbs? Huh. Well, I WAS planning on sticking with 16s anyway,s o maybe getting rid of the run-flats will save me enough weight to hold me for a while. Springs would certainly be easier to swallow financialy.

 

my vote goes for new springs and/or a rear swaybar

you already have reasonably light wheels (the v-spokes), so I'd work on suspension tuning.

Cheers,
Ryan