17" vs. 18" , is there a benefit one way or the other?

 

17's for quicker lap times... 18's for more looks.

n

 

17=RACE!!! vs. 18=PIMPIN!!!

 

The benefits of the 17's are that they're smaller, lighter, tires are cheaper, and you have a much wider selection of track rubber.

The 18's have no benefits unless you're one of those EvoM.net members who "needs" a 6-piston big brake kit to feel good about yourself. Most 6-pistons won't clear 17" wheels. Then again...few people actually need them.

Emre

 

I think its OK to have a heavier set of 17"s for "pimpin" and keep the stockers for "racing". But, might as well go 18's or 19's for "pimpin" - if your wallet can afford it!

 

Our stock wheels are already pretty heavy. I wouldn't put anything heavier on the car. There are plenty of lightweight 17" out there, so there's no reason to put anchors on all 4 corners.

Emre

 

I track the stock Enkeis because I know they're going to be super reliable. Also, like already mentioned, race rubber is a lot cheaper and easier to find in 17" than it is in 18".

 

the larger sidewall of the 17 will allow a little tire lean to provide more trac before the tire breaks loose and slides as well, the 18 is stiffer and will breal loose easier

 

I also track the stock wheels. I hate using spacers and/or centering rings on the track. I don't have the budget for custom track wheels for the Evo...after all, I already have a dedicated track car!

My point was, if you want a wheel other than stock, I wouldn't get anyting heavier (like EvoIXMR was suggesting). The stock wheels are already pretty damned heavy.

Emre

 

Certainly agree there. I'd love a set of some SSR's or CCW's but I'm not out there looking for that last .001"....and I can't afford them.

 

I put the winter wheels and tires on recently so I thought I'd check the tale of the bathroom scale on the rolling stock (wheel and tire):

winter: Cheapo ASA 17x7.5 wheels, pretty new Kumho ASX (235/45) -- 50lbs
summer: Stock wheels, half worn A046s -- 45lbs
track: Enkei RPF1 17x8.5, mostly worn Toyo RA1 (255/40) -- 40lbs

The RPF1 is only a few pounds lighter than stock, but it's cheap and fits perfectly. I think the 5Zigen FN01RC is similar. I'm kind of happy that at this point I'm not good enough to need to spend $600 per corner on lightweight, forged wheels!

Dave

 

light weight 18" wheels will give you better performance because you'll have a thinner, stiffer sidewall tire. less flex, better grip. i've seen tests done with 17's vs 18's, and then 18's vs 19's and the bigger size got the better lap times. as long as the wheel weight is kept to a minimum and the overall diameter is correct, the 18" will give you equal or better performance than a 17"

 

I'd like to see these tests.

 

Go back to your Super Street.

Maybe that's true on the PlayStation. But in real life, no one runs 19" on the track. You can't make a blanket statement that 18" is better than 17" or whatever. There's more to it than just wheel size, weight, and sidewall stiffness. Suspensions are designed to work with a certain wheel & tire size. Radical changes can degrade performance.

For example, every E30 M3 club racer still runs 15x7" wheels with 225 width tires...even though 17" will fit. They simply get better lap times and better on-the-limit feel with the smaller wheels. Similarly, E36 M3's all run 17" wheels and E46 M3's all run 18" wheels. This is the real world.

Emre

 

Good choice.