Puma Wheel Weights, Where to Buy?

[1reason]

Hey guys, I'm back and still grateful for all the help I've received over the last few years.

I took a year off due to the timing of my sons, but my first grader is in the Pack and ready to build his first car.

I've been looking to buy another set of Puma weights, but can't seem to find them anywhere. I might try to fashion some steel washers (was out in the garage eyeing up some brass ones - I'll have to see which has the greater density).

While not cheap, I'm thinking the tungsten weights are the way to go and thought I would ask for the source.

Thanks

 

[BulldogRacing]

The puma weights are not the best option brother. A steel washer or plastic washer or wind blocker are what the best cars run. I believe the gain is found in wind deflection, not the added weight.

 

[GravityX]

PM sent

 

[1reason]

The puma weights are not the best option brother. A steel washer or plastic washer or wind blocker are what the best cars run. I believe the gain is found in wind deflection, not the added weight.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

It does appear intuitive that placing the weight as low as one can within the wheel well is advantageous. So I have to wonder, simply from a weight placement prospective, why would anywhere (and where is better?) else be better?

I can clearly see the air benefit, and if I can avoid the (super) high cost of tungsten wheel weights I'm happy to place a brass washer there, but I'm having a hard time getting my head wrapped around the idea that there's a superior place to have the weight??

Thanks in advance

 

[bracketracer]

Just my opinion- Having the weight placed wider (like in the wheel cavities) causes any wiggle in the car to be magnified.

I agree with Bulldog's comment that the gain was purely aero and there are cheaper ways to get the aero boost than cavity weights.

 

[HurriCrane Racing]

I agree. The speed gain is aero. I got the same speed gain using my wheel covers as I did with the wheels weights. The wheel covers don't cause the sway you will typically see with the wheel weights.

I have a pile of wheel weights I could sell....I'm sure I'm not alone.

 

[1reason]

Wow, that's interesting to say the least. It's amazing how much was written about the lower center of gravity etc... And I will admit it all intuitively made sense to me.

Ok, so no weights in the wheels? How about front wheel weights? (J/K)

Seems like the round tungsten disks would make more sense than the cubes given the ability to concentrate weight into one single centered mass. That doesn't appear to be the case neither.

 

[GravityX]

One thing about the full circular wheel weight, that I did not like, it moved weight above the centerline of the car body. It served no purpose up there. The half weights made more sense to me, as it hung weight below the car body centerline and none above it. But as stated above, the full circle weight provided more of an aero advantage than anything. There was one thing that I did like about the full circle weights, was the tune-ability, when extra holes were drilled into them. But it was still subject to the wobbles/wiggles, as mentioned above.

Like HurriCrane said, we've all got a pile of them, as we have all tried them at one time or another. And yes... they are for sale.

 

[1reason]

Gravity - You bring up a good point about the placement of the wheel weights. What if the weights didn't go above the center-line, and remained on the bottom half of the wheel? I'm assuming this has been tested and refuted as positive.

 

[GravityX]

Those style of weights were available at one time, they basically looked like a horseshoe and had a rail relief cut in them for track clearance. I never got the chance to use them, but there were some racers that did. They would have to chime in to get feedback.

 

[Skywalker Racing]

Wheel weights can be good for Scout cars - especially those narrow designs where it'd otherwise be difficult to get enough weight at and behind the rear axle.

 

[HurriCrane Racing]

I used the half weights as well. Still like the wheel covers better. Can't argue with the results.

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

I discontinued selling them because they were an expensive aero upgrade. Not worth the money. Cubes are the way to go.

 

[1reason]

Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it.

 

[MrRoadWarrior]

The puma weights are not the best option brother. A steel washer or plastic washer or wind blocker are what the best cars run. I believe the gain is found in wind deflection, not the added weight.

Does a 1" O.D. washer fit? I.D. above 1/4"?

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

It should fit fine.