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The attraction of Center Lock Wheels is a strong one for lovers of sports cars. Many, however, believe that the only real benefit of Center Lock Wheels is the speed in which they can be changed during a race. Of course, that entails having the proper tools to do it as well. As for the less then race track inspiring amateurs, many simply believe that it makes the car look better. More like a race car, if you will.
As for the specific details, to achieve the same effectiveness of wheel attachment that 5 Corvette wheel lugs give when tightened to 100 lb-ft (140 N-m), Porsche requires 444 lb-ft (600 N-m) on their center lock attachments. Not to mention, a torque wrench capable of 444 lb-ft of torque is nearly 4 feet long! None of this sparks excitement in an auto owner. For someone like me, that lives in the wilds of the American West where vast distances exist between service facilities, the concept of carrying a 4 foot torque wrench means that I have to leave luggage or fly rods at home. Not a fair trade off!
So what is the answer? Tadge Juechter says that Corvette has two methods to create a wheel that give Corvette the desired "robustness" and strength. Included in there is "stiffness." He says Corvette utilizes forged and cast/flow-formed, aluminum wheels (this is a forging-like process for the rim-section of the wheel). Both wheels give more then adequate "strength and stiffness" to the Corvettes broad torque and horsepower range. Further, either wheel construction is more then viable for a Corvette - any Corvette! In fact, Z51's have forged wheels and GS, Z06, and ZR1 have cast/flow-formed wheels, all of which have the optimal wheel construction necessary for optimal wheel design, styling, and robustness.
So, as we can see, the latent desire to add or order Center Lock, forged wheels on our new ME (even if it were offered) is one that is laden with unnecessary expense and inconvenience. On this we can sleep well.
As for the specific details, to achieve the same effectiveness of wheel attachment that 5 Corvette wheel lugs give when tightened to 100 lb-ft (140 N-m), Porsche requires 444 lb-ft (600 N-m) on their center lock attachments. Not to mention, a torque wrench capable of 444 lb-ft of torque is nearly 4 feet long! None of this sparks excitement in an auto owner. For someone like me, that lives in the wilds of the American West where vast distances exist between service facilities, the concept of carrying a 4 foot torque wrench means that I have to leave luggage or fly rods at home. Not a fair trade off!
So what is the answer? Tadge Juechter says that Corvette has two methods to create a wheel that give Corvette the desired "robustness" and strength. Included in there is "stiffness." He says Corvette utilizes forged and cast/flow-formed, aluminum wheels (this is a forging-like process for the rim-section of the wheel). Both wheels give more then adequate "strength and stiffness" to the Corvettes broad torque and horsepower range. Further, either wheel construction is more then viable for a Corvette - any Corvette! In fact, Z51's have forged wheels and GS, Z06, and ZR1 have cast/flow-formed wheels, all of which have the optimal wheel construction necessary for optimal wheel design, styling, and robustness.
So, as we can see, the latent desire to add or order Center Lock, forged wheels on our new ME (even if it were offered) is one that is laden with unnecessary expense and inconvenience. On this we can sleep well.
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