18 vs. 19 inch wheels
#3
#5
I thought the idea was to use a bigger wheel, lower profile / shorter sidewall tire, so the overall diameter is the same but you have more wheel and less tire; which should stiffen-up the handling.
But maybe that is cancelled-out by the heavier wheel???
But maybe that is cancelled-out by the heavier wheel???
#6
i have to look for the article.. was a few months ago
they tested the same car with 16, 17, 18, 19, & 20's
perfomance leveled off around 17/18 then dropped, but weight was the main reason.
if you could find a 19 that weights the same as an 18 then the 19 would prob be better..
they tested the same car with 16, 17, 18, 19, & 20's
perfomance leveled off around 17/18 then dropped, but weight was the main reason.
if you could find a 19 that weights the same as an 18 then the 19 would prob be better..
#7
stiffening the handling and having a rough ride are 2 different things. if you are really looking to improve handling, go with Koni STR-Ts. 19s will fill up the wheel well a bit if you don't plan to lower your car.
you don't want to go bigger than 19's or it will really start to compromise ride quality.
keep in mind if you go with a different wheel size, the speedo will be inaccurate. you may have to have the control module reprogrammed for the new wheel size.
My premium came with 19s and I'm using 18s for winter wheels and I know my speedo is off by 5 MPH which also effect the odometer.
you don't want to go bigger than 19's or it will really start to compromise ride quality.
keep in mind if you go with a different wheel size, the speedo will be inaccurate. you may have to have the control module reprogrammed for the new wheel size.
My premium came with 19s and I'm using 18s for winter wheels and I know my speedo is off by 5 MPH which also effect the odometer.
Last edited by bones302; 1/10/12 at 01:51 PM.
#9
The functional reason for larger wheels are to install larger brakes on the car. For example some 18" wheels will not fit over the Brembo brake calipers on the Boss and GT500 cars.
#12
Not due to diametrical clearance; the physically large caliper requires lateral clearance which in most cases can be solved by using a spacer.
#13
#15
I dont know if the article also tested acceleration times, but in drag racing reducing unsprung weight is a proven way to help cut times.
and I suspect that even though the heavier wheel/tire combo improved road holding, that was perhaps on a best case scenario of a smooth surface. Go someplace where you have alot of surface disruptions in the road (pot holes, heaves, sinking asphalt, et al) and those heavier wheels will work against the dampers leading to poor compliance.
#16
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to summarize;
-typically the lower the profile the less sidewall flex and the better the cornering (profile decreases as wheel diameter increases, assuming outside tire diameter remains the same). This also results in a harsher ride...tires don't give as much.
-the larger the wheel diamater, the heavier the wheels. This not only adversely effects handling as wheel weight is increased (more mass bouncing up and down), but also slows acceleration as rotational mass is increased...note how many times heavier wheels are mentioned in some of the better car reviews as slowing 0-60 and qtr mile times.
also;
-18" wheels and tires are less $
-the selection of tires is greater in an 18", unless you want wider than 275 all season or 285 summer...if that's the case you'll want to look at 19".
and some 18" wheels will fit over big brakes
first I'd suggest you decide how wide a rear tire you want to run and also whether or not you've a big brake concern (either OEM Brembo or aftermarket upgrade in the future)
I've read an old thumbrule that states 1# of rotational mass is ~= to 10# of stationary mass, when considering acceleration...don't know how accurate that is but consider....many rims, including most stock, are cast and weigh ~ 30#. TSW Nurburgrings weigh ~ 20#. Also note that the stock driveline weighs ~ 46#...Have seen a couple carbon fiber shafts listed at 15.5-17#...there's potentially ~70# of rotational mass that can be easily shaved.
Not everyone lists wheel weights, however. Tire rack is pretty good about it, and the TSW site is good about a couple of theirs...note the Nurburgrings are rotary forged....they state that during manufacture the wheel is forged at a high pressure while being spun, changing the molecular structure enhancing strength, which allows them to use less alloy.
Also note that more performance vehicles are coming out equipped w/19" rims.
Next time you're in the grocery store, pick up a 5# bag of sugar. Imagine removing two of those from each corner...then imagine removing 6 from your drive line.
Use this to figure out what you've got and what you want to end up with;
http://www.csgnetwork.com/tiresizescalc.html
-typically the lower the profile the less sidewall flex and the better the cornering (profile decreases as wheel diameter increases, assuming outside tire diameter remains the same). This also results in a harsher ride...tires don't give as much.
-the larger the wheel diamater, the heavier the wheels. This not only adversely effects handling as wheel weight is increased (more mass bouncing up and down), but also slows acceleration as rotational mass is increased...note how many times heavier wheels are mentioned in some of the better car reviews as slowing 0-60 and qtr mile times.
also;
-18" wheels and tires are less $
-the selection of tires is greater in an 18", unless you want wider than 275 all season or 285 summer...if that's the case you'll want to look at 19".
and some 18" wheels will fit over big brakes
first I'd suggest you decide how wide a rear tire you want to run and also whether or not you've a big brake concern (either OEM Brembo or aftermarket upgrade in the future)
I've read an old thumbrule that states 1# of rotational mass is ~= to 10# of stationary mass, when considering acceleration...don't know how accurate that is but consider....many rims, including most stock, are cast and weigh ~ 30#. TSW Nurburgrings weigh ~ 20#. Also note that the stock driveline weighs ~ 46#...Have seen a couple carbon fiber shafts listed at 15.5-17#...there's potentially ~70# of rotational mass that can be easily shaved.
Not everyone lists wheel weights, however. Tire rack is pretty good about it, and the TSW site is good about a couple of theirs...note the Nurburgrings are rotary forged....they state that during manufacture the wheel is forged at a high pressure while being spun, changing the molecular structure enhancing strength, which allows them to use less alloy.
Also note that more performance vehicles are coming out equipped w/19" rims.
Next time you're in the grocery store, pick up a 5# bag of sugar. Imagine removing two of those from each corner...then imagine removing 6 from your drive line.
Use this to figure out what you've got and what you want to end up with;
http://www.csgnetwork.com/tiresizescalc.html
Last edited by dafreeze; 1/11/12 at 03:07 AM.
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