The Eternal Debate: More Rubber or Less Unsprung Weight?
One of the most frequently discussed issues on the 356Talk list is wheel size. One school of thought favors 5 1/2" wheels for their ability to put more rubbber on the road, while others prefer 4 1/2" wheels for their lower unsprung weight, original 165/15 tire size, and more nimble feel, especially at lower speeds. However, in the past few years, a number of 5.5" lightweight wheels have become available that are much lighter than any 4.5" wheel, negating that advantage. They are the "MgTEK" or "TECNO-Mg" wheel, a reproduction of the original "Technomagnesio" magnesium alloy wheel, and the West Coast Haus aluminum billet wheels.
In the chart below, drum brake wheels are listed first, lightest to heaviest, and then disc brake wheels, lightest to heaviest. Plans are to link each wheel name to photos. If you have good quality photos of a wheel type listed on this page that does not currently have a photo (photos without hubcaps preferred) please email to .
Size |
Type |
Manufacturer |
Material |
Weight (lbs.) |
Click image for larger photo |
5.5" |
Drum |
TecnoMagnesio (original)
MgTEK – NLA Limited |
Magnesium alloy |
9.0 |
|
4.5" |
Drum |
KPZ (Carrera) |
Steel & Aluminum |
9.9 |
|
5.0" |
Drum |
West Coast Haus |
Aircraft Grade Aluminum |
10.5 |
|
5.5" |
Drum |
Ansen |
Aluminum alloy |
? |
|
6.0" |
Drum |
West Coast Haus |
Aircraft Grade Aluminum |
11.5 |
|
3.25" |
Drum |
Early stock 16" |
Steel |
12.5 |
|
5.25" |
Drum |
Empi |
Alloy |
? |
|
5.5" |
Drum |
American Eagle |
Alloy |
13.5 |
|
4.5" |
Drum |
Lemmerz |
Steel Painted |
15.0 |
|
4.5" |
Drum |
Lemmerz |
Steel Chromed |
? |
|
4.5 |
Drum |
KPZ (Kronprinz) |
Steel Painted |
15.0 |
|
4.5" |
Drum |
Mangels Brazil |
Steel Painted |
15.0 |
|
5.5" |
Drum |
Mangels Brazil |
Steel Chrome |
16.2 |
|
4.5" |
Drum |
Rudge |
Steel Chrome |
19.5 |
|
|
Size |
Type |
Manufacturer |
Material |
Weight (lbs.) |
Click image for larger photo |
5.5" |
Disc |
Mahle "Gas Burners" |
Magnesium |
9.0 or 9.5? |
|
4.5" |
Disc |
Fuchs Forged |
Aluminum Alloy |
9 ? |
|
5.5" |
Disc |
Fuchs Forged |
Aluminum Alloy |
10.0 |
|
5.5" |
Disc |
951 (944T) 1986 only |
Aluminum Alloy |
10.5 or 11.5? |
|
5.5" |
Disc |
Ansen |
Aluminum alloy |
? |
|
5.5" |
Disc |
McAfee |
Alloy |
? |
|
5.0" |
Disc |
West Coast Haus |
Aircraft Grade Aluminum |
11.5 |
|
6.0" |
Disc |
West Coast Haus |
Aircraft Grade Aluminum |
12.0 |
|
6.0" |
Disc |
Fuchs Forged |
Aluminum Alloy |
12.1 to 13.5 |
[There are 3
different part #s
for these wheels] |
4.5" |
Disc |
Lemmerz |
Steel Chrome |
15.8 |
|
4.5" |
Disc |
Kronprinz |
Steel Chrome |
15.8 |
|
4.5" |
Disc |
Lemmerz |
Steel Painted |
17.1 |
|
4.5" |
Disc |
Kronprinz |
Steel Painted |
17.1 |
|
5.5" |
Disc |
Lemmerz |
Steel Chrome |
19.2 |
|
Data provided by Brad Ripley (NLA Ltd.), Bruce Sweetman, Steve Watson, Alex Bivens (West Coast Haus), Ben Pratt, Jerry Haussler, Mike Robbins, Dan Jacob, Ken Daugherty, Matt Joy, Eric Nichols, and Freddy Rabbat.
Comments about unsprung weight:
Lee Whistler — "The big deal here is the moment of inertia. Once the unit outboard of
the spring - in this case the torsion bar - goes in motion in response to
any irregularity in the surface over which the vehicle is traveling, it will
generate energy which the suspension must control. The lower the weight
which has been set in motion, the easier it is to control. In the case of
the wheel/tire, the most costly weight in terms of handling is that
outermost from the centerline: the tire tread. The logic of the larger
wheels with low profile tires to maintain a given wheel/tire height would
seem to be obvious. And the bonus is in faster acceleration and easier
braking with lighter wheels and tires."
Bill Myers — "On my '60 Rdstr. with disc brakes, I had 5 1/2" chromes with the black
crest hub caps. I put the 5 bolt 5 1/2" Mahle "gas burner" with center caps.
It took a minimum of ten lbs per corner off the car. I don't race but do an
occassional autocross or driving event and the change was remarkable. Others
wonder what suspension mods, I had made. I love the wheels on 356s only and
have a set ready for my "55 Cont'l "Outlaw". Single best improvement I have
made to a 356."
John Audette — "I installed the billet alloy wheels from Alex Bivens mounted with Yokohama 195/60 tires on my '60 S90 Roadster (aka The Mouse) a few days ago. The wheels are 5.5" with a 4.4mm backspace so no spacers were required to install them on the car.
All I can say is Wow! I am by no means a big time driver but I *really* notice the difference. It's the single most dramatic thing I've done to enhance the performance of my Roadster. I went from original Lemmerz 4 1/2" chrome wheels with 165's, to 5 1/2" wheels with 195/60's. That resulted in much more rubber on the road -- and a decrease in unsprung weight of over 20 pounds! The car is more nimble, and as the saying goes, it drives likes it's on rails.
Unless you are absolutely committed to an original look (I have my original date-stamped wheels and can put those on any time) I highly recommend that you seriously consider a set of lightweight 5.5" wheels."
Jeff Gamble — "The WCH 6" brushed Billets are on the Roadzter with fresh Michelin Hydroedge 185x65. The trip home from the tire shop this afternoon was real interesting as a thunderstorm cell was rapidly approaching the route home... The Roadzter only had the Tonneau and no top. As you can imagine in this case I had to stand on it. Going from 6" steel chromes to the new wheel set up with their reduced unsprung weight (reduced by almost 1/2) felt very very docile. It felt like I could throw the car around with confident ease. Plus I love the understated rich look of the brushed finish."
