advantage of 18" wheels

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by mokinbird87, May 21, 2011.

  1. mokinbird87

    mokinbird87 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    0
    so... I know ALL the disadvantage of a larger diameter wheel, but what are some advantages if any?
     
  2. John

    John Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2010
    Messages:
    659
    Likes Received:
    0
    What are the disadvantages besides scrubbing and wieght?

    I feel my 18s get better grip then stock size tires do
     
  3. slowwrx

    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2005
    Messages:
    4,343
    Likes Received:
    1
    Are we talking daily driver advantages or track advantages
     
  4. mokinbird87

    mokinbird87 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    0
    inputs for both would be nice
     
  5. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    You have the advantage of spending more money on tires, respectively.
     
  6. slowwrx

    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2005
    Messages:
    4,343
    Likes Received:
    1
    From a street perspective....they look cool

    From a track perspective, to keep the same rolling diameter you get a shorter sidewall, shorter usually means stiffer.

    In the case of the Advan Neova AD07 and AD08, the shorter sidewall makes for a much more responsive tire and the car turns in much better.
     
  7. mokinbird87

    mokinbird87 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    0
    that is the feeling i got when i drove my friends wrx with similar mods but with 18" wheels... turn in felt much sharper, and I doubt that on the streets your butt dyno will be able to tell the heavier corner weight
     
  8. yerrow

    yerrow Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2004
    Messages:
    1,340
    Likes Received:
    0
    Your butt can feel a conference in unsprung weight,i promise.

    In acceleration, braking, and turning

    Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk
     
  9. mokinbird87

    mokinbird87 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    0
    so the only few reasons why high-end sportscars go for large wheels is for looks and to be able to fit larger brakes?
     
  10. WRboXer

    WRboXer Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2004
    Messages:
    584
    Likes Received:
    0
    For the most part. A larger diameter wheel is pretty much a performance decrease, you're focusing the majority of your rotational weight further away from the center of the wheel.
     
  11. cMags

    cMags Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2007
    Messages:
    254
    Likes Received:
    0
    But wouldn't you also new decreasing the amount of rubber in the tire, making it lighter? would it offset the weight increase of the larger wheel? Just a couple thoughts - I don't have an answer.

    Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk
     
  12. yerrow

    yerrow Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2004
    Messages:
    1,340
    Likes Received:
    0
    larger brakes...yes, more rubber...yes, a must since the consumer all but demands it...yes.

    but the "high-end supercars" you refer to also have 400-500+ hp from the factory so it doesn't matter all that much to them. with consumer cars everything's a compromise.
     
  13. 07Ltd#767

    07Ltd#767 The Neighborhood Drunk

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2008
    Messages:
    1,817
    Likes Received:
    0
    great find - i have a subscription for the shitter and I was about to reference that
     
  14. mokinbird87

    mokinbird87 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    0
    seems to be a trade off between lateral G and acceleration... i suppose getting a lightweight 18" would outperform a 17" with the same weight then...
     
  15. 07Ltd#767

    07Ltd#767 The Neighborhood Drunk

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2008
    Messages:
    1,817
    Likes Received:
    0
    for a DD it will also affect gas mileage, though it may not be that noticeable
     
  16. mokinbird87

    mokinbird87 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    0
    i noticed a slight inscrease from coming back to the 205 width vs 225...
     
  17. slowwrx

    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2005
    Messages:
    4,343
    Likes Received:
    1
    Higher lateral Gs mean faster corner exit speeds, faster corner exit speeds equal faster straight away speeds.
     
  18. RSConvert

    RSConvert ɹǝuɹnʇpɐǝɥ uʞnɟɐɥnɯ ɐ sʇı
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    719
    Likes Received:
    0
    Depending on the wheel(s) 18" just look damn sexy!!!!
     
  19. mokinbird87

    mokinbird87 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    0
  20. mokinbird87

    mokinbird87 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2006
    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    0
    i went with 17" (particularly this wheel for few reasons)

    1. cant afford the BBS lol
    2. oem enkei = proven durability
    3. 17 over 18" because of tire cost

    butt dyno:
    car bounces WAYY less than it used to with 16" stock wheels, and feels more direct in steering feel. definitely more planted in the corners.

    however, even with just an inch of an upgrade i do feel more lag in power delivery and braking. I dont think it's the weight of the wheel, but i think it has more to do with taller gear ratio. but the diminished straight line speed is a small price to pay for how much stability you get in the corners.
     

Share This Page