97 5.0L

First why is it better to remove unsprung weight? Second besides wheels what else can you lighten up that is unsprung weight?

GT_Bob

I'll try to answer both of your questions. Unsprung weight is weight that is not supported by the suspension of the car. This usually includes the the weight of the wheels and tires as well as a percentage of the weight of the suspension itself, including axles, control arms, sway bars, shocks, and struts. Reducing unsprung weight is one key to improving handling. Reducing unsprung weight will also give benefits in acceleration and stopping distances. The less mass, (weight), your engine has to rotate after the transmission, the better the car will perform. The lower the unsprung weight, the less work the shocks and springs have to do to keep the tires in contact with the road over bumpy surfaces. An easy way to reduce unsprung weight and improve traction is to replace stock wheels and tires with lightweight wheels. Note that as the wheel diameter or width increases, the weight of the overall wheel and tire package increases, thereby increasing unsprung weight. With our cars, changing the front suspension to true coil-overs will give you a net-loss in unsprung weight as well as better suspension geometry which leads to better handling.

Hope this helps.

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CarlessAndy

Brake rotors and calipers and suspension pieces connected to your hub. Wheels are the most noticable difference tho.

97 5.0L

Thanks for the info. I have been thinking about buying a set of Weld rims because of their weight. This post might just be the push I need to go ahead and buy them.