Second set of wheels for the track worth It on an AWD?

[dgDVM]

I've already done pretty much all the other common power-adders to the car. Assuming everything else already done, how much benefit am I going to get out of a better set of track wheels? I currently have the stock 19s w/ Pilot Sport 4S's, and with AWD, traction isn't terrible. Obviously more bang for the buck on a RWD car, but how much benefit am I going to see from lighter wheels with something closer to a slick?

Can probably launch at a little higher RPM and still hold traction? What rpm can you all launch at on stock tires? How about with slicks? Is the weight drop going to be noticeable?

 

[NS_Stinger]

Unless traction is an issue slicks probably aren't really worth investing in, but a set of light weight 18" wheels for track use would probably make a considerable difference.

 

[dgDVM]

But if you were going to get a set of light 18's, just for track days, what would you put on them?

 

[turboAWD]

Can probably launch at a little higher RPM and still hold traction? What rpm can you all launch at on stock tires? How about with slicks? Is the weight drop going to be noticeable?

Is this for 1/4 mile runs, or "track" proper - i.e. turns, braking, acceleration, etc?

 

[dgDVM]

Yeah good point, I guess drag strip would be more proper than track. I'm talking 1/4 mile.

 

[eflyguy]

Stock tires are Pilot Sport 4, not 4S.

You're not going to see any benefit at a drag strip.

 

[dgDVM]

Correct, but I went with the 4S for replacements. Thanks everyone for the input

 

[MerlintheMad]

Lighter rolling weight will benefit braking and handling. Neither are considerations when drag racing. But if you get all OC about cutting total weight, getting rid of 13 lbs or more per wheel is not something that you will ignore.

 

[Hapa88]

Lighter rolling weight will benefit braking and handling. Neither are considerations when drag racing. But if you get all OC about cutting total weight, getting rid of 13 lbs or more per wheel is not something that you will ignore.

Lower rolling weight should benefit braking in the same way it'll benefit acceleration, though the amount is going to be very small overall.
So to the OP as to whether it's worth it? No probably not given the cost.
You're better off just removing all dead weight, like your fenders, hood, trunk, interior and all non essential equipment. Get your car as light as possible.

If you do end up buying a separate set of tires, do research into changing the overall diameter which will change your Final Drive and ultimately how your car accelerates.

 

[Manaz]

If you have a separate set of track tyres (and you should if you have plans to do it more than once and want to get the best out of your car), then yes, get a separate set of wheels. Even if they're older wheels not in great cosmetic condition, or even smaller wheels (as long as they still fit over the brakes) - smaller wheels can weigh less, and as noted by others, that may help a little with acceleration - if hundredths of a second matter to you, that'd be worth it.

 

[SteveCo]

You're better off just removing all dead weight, like your fenders, hood, trunk, interior and all non essential equipment. Get your car as light as possible.

I love the fact that this car has the power it does, and enjoy reading about what kind of times people are turning on their local drag strips with relatively simple mods. Hell, if we still had a local track with open 'street' nights I'd even give it a try once in the 1/4 mile to see what it does at this altitude - but going to those kind of extremes just to get slightly faster time would not be in the cards.

If I was serious about drag racing, I wouldn't be using a 4000 lb. vehicle as a starting point ...