Effects of Wheel Size/Weight on Performance
This is a grouping of articles and threads detailing the effects of increasing/decreasing a vehicles performance by selecting different wheels then stock. It details the effect of the unsprung weight on the vehicles braking, acceleration, and handling.
Articles
Size Matters
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~greghess/sizematters.pdf
Finding Free Power
SCC Technical Assistance Program
Bicycles and Unsprung Weight
http://www.softride.com/bike/cornering.pdf
Fixing the 350Z: Why Lawyers Want Everyone to Run Staggered Setups
Project Nissan 350Z Part 2 - Project Cars - Sport Compact Car Magazine
Big Wheels, Big Trouble?
http://money.cnn.com/2004/12/15/pf/autos/wednesday_big_wheels/
Wheel Weights Can Effect Your Vehicles Show and Go
Wheel Tech - Road Wheel Weights Can Affect Your Vehicle's Show...and Go
The Danger of Dubs
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=104526
Automobile Ride, Handling, and Suspension Design
Automobile Ride, Handling, and Suspension
Threads
How much does wheel weight really matter?
http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=7019&highlight=unsprung+and+weight
Are 18 wheels and tires bling bling or a performance advantage?
http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=3661&highlight=wheel+and+weight
How much will 17 wheels slow you down
http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/29958.aspx
Effect of Lighter Wheels?
http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/29951.aspx
Bigger Wheels and Tires?
http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/33247.aspx
Rotational Advice
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=35522&page=1&highlight=Rotational+Advice
If larger wheels are bad...why do sports cars have them?...
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=40591&page=1&highlight=larger+wheels+bad
Increased Wheel Weight? Significantly Slower?
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=149990&page=1&highlight=Wheel+Weight
The Real Effect of Additional Wheel Weight!
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=128586&highlight=Wheel+Weight
Wheel Weights....Can They Make a Difference?
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=40271&highlight=Wheel+Weights+Make+Difference
33.5 lbs/Corner Too Heavy??
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=39256&highlight=33.5+lbs%2FCorner+Heavy
Wheel Weight Reduction for Bloated Cars
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=183400&page=1&highlight=Small+Wheels+Heavier+Tires
Don't Small Wheels Mean Heavier Tires?
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=38255&highlight=heavier+tires
Whats With Huge Wheels?
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=38033&page=1&highlight=huge+wheels
18 Wheels too big? Take a Look!
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=39868&page=1&highlight=Wheels+big
I'm Finally Completely Convinced About Lighter Wheels and Tires
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=35470&highlight=Completely+Convinced+Lighter+Wheels+Tires
Do Wider Tires REALLY Provide More Traction?
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=38946&page=1&highlight=Wider+Tires+Provide+Traction
Unsprung Weight 101
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=28403&highlight=Unsprung+Weight+101
Losing 4 lbs per wheel. Will I notice it?
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=184819&page=1&highlight=Unsprung+Weight+Effect
Unsprung Weight? Is the difference substaintal?
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=274528&page=1&highlight=Unsprung+Weight+Effects
WO! The Joy of Lightweight Wheels!!!!
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=35911&page=1&highlight=joy+wheels
0-60 simplified wheel physics and garfield's wheel test
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=279748&t=3730#post279748
Spreadsheet blows lid off lightweight wheel debate!!!
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14738
Lightweight Wheels
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58149&page=1&highlight=unsprung+weight
In Defense of 17's
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10982&page=1&highlight=unsprung+weight
16 or 17 Inch Wheels?
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63449&page=1&highlight=wheel+weight
18 or 19 Inch Wheels?
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81973&page=1&highlight=wheel+weight
17 vs 18 Wheels on the Mazda 6 @ the Track
http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?showtopic=42211
6tech Article
http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=32
Some Wheel Weight Sites
WHEELWEIGHTS.NET
Wheelspecs.com :: Free wheel database :: street, racing, and off-road wheels & rims :: specs, weights, photos
Miata Garage Tires and Wheels
I will continue to update these links as more are found or added.