Track wheel/tire: 17 or 18?
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From: Ft Smith, AR
Track wheel/tire: 17 or 18?
So.. less sidewall or more sidewall. This is my track wheel/tire dilemma. 275/40/17 or 275/35/18? I realize my tire choices may be slightly more limited with the 18's but I want the quickest setup at the track that I can get... plus hoosiers are available in this size. 
I've noticed that Nils is running the 275 hoosiers on 18X9'.5's which is up from the 255's he was running on the earlier 17x8.5 setup. I also realize there will be a weight penalty with the 18 inch wheels but there are some very light offerings available that can be had.
So what are your experiences with more/less sidewall at the track? Any help is appreciated. Thanks
jeff
I've noticed that Nils is running the 275 hoosiers on 18X9'.5's which is up from the 255's he was running on the earlier 17x8.5 setup. I also realize there will be a weight penalty with the 18 inch wheels but there are some very light offerings available that can be had. So what are your experiences with more/less sidewall at the track? Any help is appreciated. Thanks
jeff
Jeff,
to be honest with you, I picked 18's mostly for looks. If I wanted the best bang for the buck I would have gone with new 17's and wrapped them with 275's.
The NTO-3's are holding up great though, no wheel flex.
n
to be honest with you, I picked 18's mostly for looks. If I wanted the best bang for the buck I would have gone with new 17's and wrapped them with 275's.
The NTO-3's are holding up great though, no wheel flex.
n
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Maryland
if you really plan on going tracking, you'll probably eventually upgrade to a big brake kit so you'll need 18's anyway... I'd just skip the hassle of buying 17's then reselling them and just get the 18's in the first place...
Big brake kit? How much bigger do you want? Seems most people around here are just swapping pads and installing some cooling ducts. No one is going to larger diameter rotors, at least not most people tracking them.
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From: Kent, WA
Hey Jeff, funny seeing you over here 
. To me it depends on the tire you're going to use too. If you're running a soft sidewall like a Michellin or Kumho I'd stick with the 18s. I'm running 17x9s with 255/40 17 Toyo RA1s myself.
. To me it depends on the tire you're going to use too. If you're running a soft sidewall like a Michellin or Kumho I'd stick with the 18s. I'm running 17x9s with 255/40 17 Toyo RA1s myself.
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a bigger rim with a shorter sidewall will give you more lateral grip. a smaller rim with taller sidewalls will give you more linear grip. the 17s with 40 sidewall imo, through experience and from most track Evos i have seen is your best bet. i'm running 17x9 with 255 and 40 sidewall RA1s also!
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its not that cut and dry.... Hoosiers does not make 18" race slicks for bling purposes.
For most of us on this forum a 17" wheel would be more optimal for HPDE and fun on the track. Haaving that said, there are alot of 'RACE' cars that use 18" wheels. Infact, Speed World Challenge 'GT' class requires 18" wheels.
To me, it comes down to money. If you can afford lightweight 18" wheels and tires then go for it. I am not trying to shave 10th's of a second out there anyway.... just fast enough to have some fun.
n
For most of us on this forum a 17" wheel would be more optimal for HPDE and fun on the track. Haaving that said, there are alot of 'RACE' cars that use 18" wheels. Infact, Speed World Challenge 'GT' class requires 18" wheels.
To me, it comes down to money. If you can afford lightweight 18" wheels and tires then go for it. I am not trying to shave 10th's of a second out there anyway.... just fast enough to have some fun.
n