I had 17" C4s. I've been riding on 18" R/Hs for 6 or 7 months.

I'd have to say, go for the 18s but lose the gap.

 

My vote is for 17's. They look just fine on the car and they peform better. 17's hands down.

 

17 inches. This is a performance car. If I hear a credible argument how 18 inch rims would increase overall performance, then maybe I'd change my mind.

 

In some magazines they say that the 18in CE28N's only weigh 16lbs! and the 17in weigh 14lbs.

Have you guys seen the Puma EVO with 17's on. That car looks amazing! then again it sits really low

 

Heres a pic of it

 

so, turn that around... can you show me how an 18" wheel is going to decrease performance... doubt it...

unless they weighed too much... most of the 18" forged wheels are several pounds lighter than your stock wheel...

 

Maybe, I'm thinking like old school. I have seen Supras, 300z's, and some DSM's who have 18's, because they have tons of power to spare (+350 HP or TQ). Any smaller tires, the car just won't hold the power down effectively.

Only the high end 18's will be very light. Most won't be.

Just dyno your car on 16's, 17's, and 18's. Tell me, which will sap the most #'s off stat sheet?

I do believe SCC in the past 2 yrs have an article on this issue of weight, tire, and rim sizes that could effect performance.

 

I used to autocross and do timed track laps in a previous car and in that car and others that I drove (and it depends on the car and suspension setup) there definitely were consistently faster laps on smaller rims. The tires and even wheels were the same and we swapped from car to car and in both cars with the same tire one on 16 and one on 17 the 16's were consistently faster with both drivers. This can change from car to car depending on the suspension but from a pure track standpoint bigger isn't always better. I've seen both turn out faster.

Most of these are street cars or occasional track cars so get whatever size makes you happy and if you're really worried about which is faster rent some track time.

 

19" chrome. that's all i have to say about that. when you race someone, you'll blind them by the shine and that'll result in a win, for you.

 

17 are better performers because (or atleast the way it was explained to me) its true you can keep the same all around diameter by switching profiles. But the bigger side walls on a 17 inch rim will provide more flex thus providing more traction. If you get an 18 inch rim but keep the bigger profile you will be giving up acceleration for essentially top end speed because your turning a taller tire/rim. And your speedo will read incorrect. I'm not sure about Cars but I know streetbikes come stock with a speedo that the faster you go the more the speedo is knocked off. ok my braind hurts.

 

Yeah go for the 19" balla! I am gonna go 20" spinners all the way!

 

i would just like to say that all of you who think chrome adds horsepower and that little tv screens on your headrests are impressive, consider this: i now a machine billetist; hes very good. he carved me 17inch rims out of solid blocks of aluminum and they weigh 4.5lbs each....thats all that needs to be said.

 

 

 

since u already got 17''s as stock, go with 18''s. it might look smaller if u put 17''s since u already have it for stock.