Anyone have an idea how much weight the chrome plating adds?
I'm looking at getting new 01 Chrome factory type rims.

 

That my friend is one of the dumbest questions ive heard!!At least on this board

 

not a dumb question

 

Actually its not a dumb question at all.

Chrome wheels are usually quite a bit heavier than standard aluminum wheels.

later,
chris

 

Explain, please.

 

Tim,
I'm searching for some info to support that statement right now. But I've always heard people talk about "big heavy chrome wheels". I know that it is just really a chemical dipping and polishing process, but I was always under the impression that chrome plated wheels weighed more than bare aluminum. maybe it's just a missconception though. I'll see what I can find.

later,
chris

 

Actually it does add some weight. Keep in mind that the wheel gets dipped in copper, then nickel and finally chrome. If your wheel are being done like mine, mine are twice copper dipped and buffed, along with double nickel. The inside barrels's get copper buffed and chromed as well.

I got my chrome center caps from the Tire Rack ( Dont ask, yes i paid $35 a cap, had no choice ) last week and opened the box to check them out. When i pulled one of them out, they were indeed noticeably heavier.

 

Actually it is a very smart question. A heavier wheel will directly impact the HP and Torque delivered to the pavement. Torque is the ability to accelerate a known weight from 1 RPM to another RPM over a known period of time. The heavier the rim the longer it takes to accelerate. This is the very concept that an inertia dyno uses, and the most accurate.

The weight may be nearly insignificant, but the diameter of the rim is very significant.

The HP and torque loss can be calculated if the weight and diameter is known.

 

While being a Dumbass has it's advantages if someone does not know something ..There are no dumb questions. Now...Dumb statements..that's another story.

Unsprung weight is a major factor in ride and handling characteristics.

 

Just guessing, but I'd say it adds at least 5 lbs per rim.

 

I had same concern with having big chrome wheels. I have been told by more than one wheel manufacture, that with how wheels are chromed today, the three layers of nickel, copper, and chromium weigh less than 6 ounces per wheel.

In the end I went with some billet wheels. A 22-inch billet wheel weighs about half what a cast 20-inch wheel weighs.

 

Part of the misconception of chrome wheels weighing more was that years ago, most wheels that were chromed were steel wheels. The chroming proces has changed over the years and they can now chrome plate the aluminum wheels with good success. Chroming will add some weight, but it would probably be insignificant.

 

I'm not sure what this means. To my knowledge their are no billet rims at all. (I could be wrong, some racers have million dollar budgets) CNC machined aluminum that comes pre-shaped. To me the 2 items mentioned are the same thing with a different size.

Also assuming that the 22" was half the weight, it's inertia would be slightly better than the 20".

 

a wheel place told me chromed factory
wheels are 1-3lbs heavier than stock.
dont know how true it is?

 

A two-piece billet wheel has a CNC machined center welded to an “outer” wheel. According to Boyd’s, a 22’ billet wheel weighs around 25 pounds.