Knighty
Actually, this subject is the PERFECT example of the confusion about what-does=what in karting. There are a HUGE number of differing views on most things and damned nigh S*D-ALL evidence for these FIERCELY held opinions.
Again, I am not sure you have chosen the best comparison for Mag/Ali. Yes, the amount by which the Mag heats up compared to a Ali with the same energy (heat storage) is not necessarily the thing that matters, I would have thought it would be heat dissipation but I don't know, either! Perhaps they are the same thing or at least, go in parallel with each other.
The only answer is 'ask questions' and see if the answers make SENSE. Then, buy it (or borrow it) and try it!
One last thing. Look for the object/item which gives you the BIGGEST improvements in lap times for the CHEAPEST amount. Deal with those items first and then get into the esoteric stuff later. For me, the order would be:-
1) Bum-in-Seat time! That will be the area where he gains MOST time for the least expenditure.
2) Tyres (get a thorough understanding of HOW they react to changes pressures etc.)
3) Braking practice...... totally invaluable.
4) Chassis set-up
5) Engine
6) etc.
7) etc.
.)
.)
15,261) an expensively painted helmet........
*********
Wheel width. Up to a point, the wider the wheel the (supposedly) cooler it runs. This is because narrow rims make the tyre bulge in the centre which reduces the contact patch which therefore has all the heat contained in a smaller area. The whole TYRE doesn't run hotter but it's the contact patch that actually matters. High tyre pressures are supposed to have the same effect.
If you go too wide, the side walls lean inward making the movement of the tyre surface non-parallel to the ground when cornering. This can ALSO focus the heat onto (this time) the outside strips of the tyres.... as can low pressure. We are back to where we started...... TEST it in all the conditions you can. However, a hotter tyre (contact patch) usually works better in the rain than a cooler one.
Again, the 80%/20% rule applies to MY opinions, too!
Ian
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