sounds stupid but i need insights.........
btw this is for the evo 8/9
cast in your votes/opinions.........

 

What are you meaning by function? Wheels function is to go round and round lol

Im going to assume you mean which would function better on the track?

My choice is always going to be with 18s. They look better and fill in the wells alot better, they tend to come in wider widths than 17s if you need more grip for the twistys. I guess there's pros and cons to both though. The 17s are going to be lighter, and allow you more options of tire sizes.

 

Probably go with the 18"s. Any time you can reduce the space in the wheel well that's a wise choice.

 

i really need to see some pics of 2 cars side by side with same wheels but with 17" and 18"

 

I would say 17's since they are lighter.

 

17inch is lighter and better on the street. Unless you are going to spend big money 18" wheels are heavier and will slow the cars acceleration and raise un-sprung weight which negatively effects handling. If you want to fill the wheel well lower the car a bit or add small wheel spacers. Also 18" tires are more expensive. But with that said Tarmac rally cars use 18" wheels but I'm sure they are forged and very pricey.

 

I personally will only run 17's on my EVO. 18's are more expensive, heavier, and tire price/variety is less than ideal. If my EVO was for show, I definitely would do 18's - they fill the fender better.

 

17s due to better ride, taller sidewalls = smoother ride...18s, a good pothole and bam bent wheel or punctured tire. Price wise cheaper on 17s then 18s, but for all out performance on track 18s due to more plus size tires options that will work. My vote 17s.

 

which would benefit more at the drag strip?, whats the the time diffrence bet running a 17" and 4-5 lbs lighter each wheel??

 

17" benefit more at the strip. the lighter wheel will most often if not always run faster times due to less rotational mass and un-sprung weight.

the motor works less turning a small/ lighter wheel than a big/ heavy wheel.

 

i voted 18 for looks, but as far as function goes. i would probably lean more towards 17s. only because you get pretty much the same width with 17s and reduce weight at the same time. then again, as far as functionality goes there are other factors to consider. drag, auto x or even rally. suspension setup and all that crap, when you're trying to shave off mil seconds on your lap time. if its your DD. you probably wont notice a big difference

 

There are compromises for both. Gotta sit down with that one & weigh the pro's & con's of both....some of those were listed above. Budget, wheel choice, tire choice, weight, look, use, etc.. Personally, if I was going with 17's, I'd pick a wheel that had spokes that go to the edge of the rim (ADVAN RS for example). Wheels that have a lip will look considerably smaller, like CE28n's, RE30's, etc.. Wheel's with lips to me personally, look better in 18".

 

I totally agree man

 

i hated the way 18's looked on the car.

 

17 are stock size--- not all 18" wheels weigh more then 17" wheels. So you have to look at all the weights. Going to an 18 in weigh to fill the wheel well is not what you want to do..that would mean somehting like an 18" 45 series tire and that puts the speedo off. Moving to an 18" tire and 35 series doesnt change the wheel well proportion---just shows less side wall and more of an opportunity to flatten the tire on road debrie--holes etc. Just stick with stock sizes. Check the discount tire site to get some ideas and read up on what it is you want to do and how to do it rt without causing other problems... Unless and I could be rt here---you dont care about anything but how it looks? If that correct, disavow all I have said.