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Removing the spare wheel - will it effect the way a car handles

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Old 21 October 2010, 10:12 PM
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Steve Whitehorn
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Default Removing the spare wheel - will it effect the way a car handles

Car is a classic - with a fair bit of it striped out.
It currently handes well.
It is set up with the prodrive settings.

If I pull the spare wheel out - will losing this weight from the already lightened back end effect the handling? Given it was all set up with the wheel in situ.




SPEC
4 door classic
Car has alloy front arms,
22mm ARBs front and rear (middle setting)
BC coilovers front and rear
Anti Lift Kit
All set up with prodrive settings

Running big power
Rear seats, all seatbelts, all boot carpet, parcel shelf, sterro, jack, tools removed
Old 21 October 2010, 11:43 PM
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Splitpin
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Will the loss of the spare wheel shift the weight balance of the car in a way that alters the handling? Yes.

Will the change in handling balance be significant enough for you to notice from behind the wheel? Not at all likely.

Let's put it this way. If your (space saver) spare weighs, say, 15kg, that's approximately equal to the weight of 20 litres of fuel. Do you notice the difference in handling between, say, a brimful fuel tank and a half empty one? If not, you won't notice your missing spare either.
Old 21 October 2010, 11:56 PM
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carpboy
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You will definitely notice the difference in the handling if you get a puncture
Old 22 October 2010, 12:06 AM
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Paulo P
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Originally Posted by carpboy
You will definitely notice the difference in the handling if you get a puncture
It's alright the jack is already gone
Old 22 October 2010, 01:11 AM
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Luminous
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If you are just driving, I would say not.

If you are being timed, then maybe. As above posters have said, if you can feel the difference in performance between a full and empty tank of fuel then maybe this is a mod that you will notice. I know I would not!!
Old 01 February 2011, 12:20 AM
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SRSport
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What about an near empty tank and no spare tyre and jack? Thats 50kg+. Might make an improvement on fuel consumption as well...maybe.
Old 01 February 2011, 11:36 AM
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i would say no mate . it may shave some milli seconds off a lap time but for everyday driving no.
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