Is there any performance advantage to plus sizing wheels, or is it just for looks.
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Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 138
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From: Reno, NV
Is there any performance advantage to plus sizing wheels, or is it just for looks.
I know that with a larger wheel you run a lower profile tire, but can't you run a lower profile tire on the stock wheel and get the same result?
I understand going wider, more rubber on the road means more traction; but is there any real advantage to going up in diameter? It seems you're just adding weight for a cool look.
Or, is the only way to get the low profile plus the correct overall diameter, you have to plus size the wheel due to tire size availability?
Just curious...
I understand going wider, more rubber on the road means more traction; but is there any real advantage to going up in diameter? It seems you're just adding weight for a cool look.
Or, is the only way to get the low profile plus the correct overall diameter, you have to plus size the wheel due to tire size availability?
Just curious...
not really sure i understand what you're asking, but i guess the larger diameter wheels could help you achieve a higher top speed... provided the overall diameter (w/tire) were greater than stock.
and i'm not sure what you're saying about low profile tires. are you talking about those really thin tires that people put on their cars? i've always been under the impression that they suck.
and i'm not sure what you're saying about low profile tires. are you talking about those really thin tires that people put on their cars? i've always been under the impression that they suck.
"Plus-sizing" your wheel and tire set-up (e.g., going from a 235/45-17 to a 235/40-18) has real performance advantages. Sidewall flex is a factor in the handling of the car -- basically the more flex in the sidewall, the smoother you have to be on turn-in and the more the tire will "squirm" during steady state cornering. This is why you see many pro race cars running really low profile slicks (think WRC tarmac set-ups, typically ~35-series sidewall).
The trade-off is weight. The larger wheel diameters weigh more, which hurts accelleration and braking. Not to mention tires are more money. That said, you can get large wheels that aren't total anchors. I run 18x9" OZs which are pretty light (20lbs) but give me one inch bigger width and height. Definitely provides much better handing.
The trade-off is weight. The larger wheel diameters weigh more, which hurts accelleration and braking. Not to mention tires are more money. That said, you can get large wheels that aren't total anchors. I run 18x9" OZs which are pretty light (20lbs) but give me one inch bigger width and height. Definitely provides much better handing.
also plus sizing your wheels gives you more tire options... running 17x275x40 sucks... that's the largest diameter you can run on an evo... all the sizes of 255 and above even in 18s are smaller... so it's about tire choice in the end.
Evolved Member
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Bangkok
+Larger wheels allow larger brake rotors.
About the weight, I posted this earlier:
Now there are various effects like rotational inertia and gyro effects also, but again, if you get good wheels you should be okay.
About the weight, I posted this earlier:
Originally Posted by x838nwy
Well, your fears are somewhat unfounded. I mean, if you take a look at BBS LM's both these are recommended for Evo 8's:
LM 078: 18x8.0 +35 = 9.8kg = 21.56lbs
S-03: 235/40/18 = 26lbs
Total(18") = 47.56lbs
LM152: 17x8.0 +30 = 9.2kg = 20.24lbs
S-03: 235/45/17 = 27lbs
Total(17") = 47.24lbs
Difference = 0.32lbs or 0.67% of the 17" weight. virtually the same.
If you use Eagle F1 GS-D3 then the weights are:
18": 45.56lbs
17": 46.24lbs
18's are even lighter in this case.
Note however, that PS-2's in 235/40/18 are heavier than the 235/45/17. Strange.
SSR type C's are 6.93kg (15.25lbs) for 17's and 7.5kg (16.5lbs) for the 18's that's a similar sort of difference. But if you look at getting SSR 18" + S-03's then you're talking about 42.5lbs, now compare that to BBS 17's + S-03's. The 17's are then 4.72lbs heavier.
LM 078: 18x8.0 +35 = 9.8kg = 21.56lbs
S-03: 235/40/18 = 26lbs
Total(18") = 47.56lbs
LM152: 17x8.0 +30 = 9.2kg = 20.24lbs
S-03: 235/45/17 = 27lbs
Total(17") = 47.24lbs
Difference = 0.32lbs or 0.67% of the 17" weight. virtually the same.
If you use Eagle F1 GS-D3 then the weights are:
18": 45.56lbs
17": 46.24lbs
18's are even lighter in this case.
Note however, that PS-2's in 235/40/18 are heavier than the 235/45/17. Strange.
SSR type C's are 6.93kg (15.25lbs) for 17's and 7.5kg (16.5lbs) for the 18's that's a similar sort of difference. But if you look at getting SSR 18" + S-03's then you're talking about 42.5lbs, now compare that to BBS 17's + S-03's. The 17's are then 4.72lbs heavier.
