I won my nine DE's with wheels made of paper mache and carbon fiber strands. Light and strong but annoyingly weak in the rain.

 

But seriously, I thought part of the theory behind the weight of the Ruf "anchors" was that a gyroscopic effect gave straight line stability at very high speeds. (probably the same speeds at which the aerodynamic effect of the 993 engine tray comes into play )

 

Another important and frequently overlooked element is product liability. Car manufacturers (Porsche and RUF) would naturally opt for the stronger and therefore heavier wheel to minimise that risk. In contrast, after-market wheel manufacturers don’t bear this burden to the same extent: their wheels are not “manufacturer approved” yet the buyer has chosen them. Therefore it’s the buyer’s risk. Also, most are foreign based and more difficult to sue. It’s no coincidence that wheel weights - and car weights in general - have increased significantly since the ‘80s.

 

[QUOTE=Bill Verburg;4831977]They did

When did speedline make Ruf wheels?

 

Wouldn't an extra 5lbs on each rear wheel be the equivalent of losing 10-20 HP?

 

I think it's more a relative thing: I bet the lightweight flywheel guys can feel it much more.

Personally, I didn't detect the approx 2lb difference per wheel+tire going from summers to snows on the 993. On my old STI (which also had a light flywheel unlike the 993), my summers weighed about 7lbs per wheel+tire more than snows, and I would literally stall a couple of times every spring before I got used to feeding in a bit more power when engaging the clutch. Anyone--numb butt or not--could have felt that difference.

 

There is a big difference between what is theotretical, what is perceptible and what is measureable.

Most of the claims of perceptible difference in weight of under 10#s turn out to be caused by tire height differences, even small tire height differences are easily perceived.

 

[QUOTE=Bradford;4832698]All the ones I've ever seen, and they have all been heavy too.

 

[QUOTE=Bill Verburg;4832952]Bill,

My Ruf wheels were made by OZ, see pic. Also, not all of their wheels are heavy. Mine are 18lbs front and 20lbs rear for 19's.

 

And it looks like they are Magnesium wheels to boot, not aluminmum (Mg).

 

LOL--yeah. In discussing trends, that's what's called an outlier.

"But my F1 car came with really light wheels from the factory."

 

[QUOTE=Bradford;4833000]I've never seem Mg Ruf or those wheels.

 

[QUOTE=Bill Verburg;4833166]Sure you have, you just didn't know they were magnesium 'cause they look like the alum. ones.

 

Those look awesome Scott. Do the 18" RUFS come in magnesium as well?

 

Thanks Jack

I think Ruf makes magnesium wheels on a custom order basis only.