[JohnG]

Originally Posted by IROCdan330

I don't know yours or 86t/a's qualifications with regard to engineering...but I do what I've learned at school.

uhh, what school is that ?

I'm a mechanical engineer, and the first thing I learned is o=F/A

when you have less Area, the "o" (stress) is lessened.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_(physics)

this is why drilling holes in a wheel will make it more rigid structurally...
this is why a car with a sunroof is more rigid than a hardtop...
etc. etc.