Lighter wheels = any E.T reduction?

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by 340Cuda

I guess we have all bought a lot of stuff that was supposed to be good for a tenth and were disappointed.

However a long time ago Paul Forte told us one of his 904 transmissions would be a tenth quicker than the 727 we were running and he was right.

I am guessing about half of that was less static weight and the other half was reduced rotating weight.

I read about the 727/904 difference decades ago. There was an article (maybe in the Direct Connection manuals) where Paul was testing with a few Stock and/or SS cars around the mid-'70s. I remember the difference being stated as .15, with everything else being made as equal as possible. (converter, weight, etc.)

Physics says that any weight reduction will help a race car accelerate faster, even if it's rotating and the same reduced amount replaced with static weight. But any of the small gains can often be masked by some of the many other variables that can't be consistently and minutely controlled.

My theory has always been to try things that "might" help.....as long as there was a certainty that it couldn't hurt.....and you could afford it. Unfortunately, the "afford it" part usually restricts me.