Does weight really matter that much?

[fhg959]

Yesterday I hit the 1/8 mile drag strip again. This time, I couldn't go lower than 11.27 (.88 reaction time) vs 10.7X last time. Here's the thing, last time I went to the drag strip I ran without the big-o-wing I have, without the 4 hella lights, no emergency tire, no jack, no nothing on the back (the rear seat stayed there), no tool bag (at least 25 pounds), 15" steelies all around, and myself was approx. 10 pounds less. My best time then was 10.7X with a reaction time of .67X Yesterday, I ran with all the extra lugage (wing, lights, tool bag, electric impact, extra tire, etc), plus the 17" EAP SVT wheels all around. Last time I ran with 91 octane gas (1/4 of tank) and a NOS octane booster. This time I only used 91 octane (1/2 tank). Besides weight, the only difference from this run to the last is that then I had NGKs Laser Iridum spark plugs and the Octane Booster, and yesterday I had E3 spark plugs, no octane booster, CFM udps and MSD cops. So, either my car got slower or weight really plays an important factor. What do you guys think?

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[stivo]

yes, the extra weight makes a big difference. I think the ratio is you need 10 more HP to move an extra 100lbs at the same rate... or something like that.

the wheel/tire combo could be the biggest difference though, depending on how heavy the 15" steelies are. unsprung weight has the biggest impact on acceleration.

[captcurt_18]

^exactly. weight is huge in the world of racing. The less you have, the better.

[NAD23ZX3]

weight is key to winning especially with wheels, not only that but aerodynamics can play a big role, cough cough roof scoop cough cough.

[chhenscheid]

Today I ran the quarter. I ran with my rims and subwoofer and spare. I ran 16.7 1/4 with all that crap. 16.01 without all the extra weight

[j-zetec_pr]

i believe it's a tenth of a second less for every 100 pounds you remove

[mtadd162]

yes, yes it does...if you have a 200hp engine moving a 3500 pound object compared to a 200hp engine moving a 3000 pound object....there wont be much difference but the 3000lb will win

+ everything said above me

[focusboy5]

eh who cares about a straight line lol

But yeah like everyone else, weight is a huge difference esp with a 4 cylinder focus.

[Blackcatn2o]

The thing is with wheels is if you run 15's (less weight an rotional mass) you will have a ton of sidewall flex witch's = slow steering reponds (IMO i hate slow steering respond's), if you have a larger rim like 17's or 18's (will be heavy an more rotional mass to move) you will have less sidewall flex witch = quick streering respond's. It really doesn't matter how hard your sidewall is (on a 15" wheel) you will still have a ton of flex because your tire actually pivot's where the sidewall an rim meets.

If you do alot of drag racing, circle track, rally racing i highly suggest a 15" wheel but if you do alot of road racing, autox, moutain racing go with a larger rim for less flex.

[jetrinka]

^^^lol @ your sig..

Yeah weight makes a difference for sure.