16 or 17

[oasis]

Some 17s are lighter than some 16s. (I don't know what "unsprung weight" means, so if there's a difference beween that and plopping wheels on a scale, I'm talking about the latter.)

I'm going with 16s. I think they'll have 45- or 50-series tires on it. I cannot imagine going with a lower profile tire would be beneficial in 99% of my driving. I can imagine the rougher ride of 17s having ill effects on the car's components -- or my components.

As for brakes, GTI brakes will work with 16s. Anything larger than that on a 1900-pound car has got to be overkill.

Larger wheels and brakes do increase the wow factor -- at least with me it does. There are just so many different road types where I live, I can't have the ow factor surpassing the wow factor, especially with minimal (at best) benefits.

[rip]

Originally Posted by oasis

As for brakes, GTI brakes will work with 16s. Anything larger than that on a 1900-pound car has got to be overkill.

oh like 4pot rx7 brakes

Well these RX7 brakes can be used with 16's easily, but was wondering is there any real differences between the 16 and 17's? other than looks. One is the unsprung wieght, plus 16 are usually got a lighter static wieght.

But 17's look cooler. Is the fender to tire clearance any better with 16's over 17's in a hard turn?

thanks for the help guys
rip


oh yea unsprung wieght plays into the idea that the bigger the wheel used, diameter, it's harder to get it rotating than a smaller radius. It has to do with angluar interia and moments.

[rip]

oh yea what do you guys think of these?

http://www.enkei.com/PerfSpecPAGES/rs5Specs.html

[rip]

the 16's are about 17.???

and the 17's are 20.1 lbs.

a bit heavy

[boygenius]

Originally Posted by rip

the 16's are about 17.???

and the 17's are 20.1 lbs.

a bit heavy

Ahhh. try 39 lbs for an 18" X 10" rear rim... Thats a bit heavy...

[Sandeep]

Just wait till you add the tire My 18x10 + 265/35/18 tire = 52 lbs !!

Sandeep

[boygenius]

Originally Posted by Sandeep

Just wait till you add the tire My 18x10 + 265/35/18 tire = 52 lbs !!

Sandeep

I think mine weighed 48lbs with tires.
Almost makes you want to go get some forged wheels huh... Now I'll need a 2270 type 4 just to move the car...

[Chris Percival]

Originally Posted by rip

oh like 4pot rx7 brakes
oh yea unsprung wieght plays into the idea that the bigger the wheel used, diameter, it's harder to get it rotating than a smaller radius. It has to do with angluar interia and moments.

Unsprung weight is simply items that arn't 'sprung', ie everything below the suspension, wheels, hubs, disks, calipers etc..

[rip]

Originally Posted by Chris Percival

Unsprung weight is simply items that arn't 'sprung', ie everything below the suspension, wheels, hubs, disks, calipers etc..

true, I was just giving a general idea in terms of what to consider when purchasing a new wheel. The idea that a heavier wheel needs more force to move it. So the motor will work harder to move the extra weight when compared to a set of lighter wheels. But, yeah in a race situation ... well here I found this if you guys want to see it.

http://www.gmecca.com/byorc/dtipssuspension.html

they explain it well.

thanks for the opinions.
Rip

[oasis]

Originally Posted by oasis

I'm going with 16s. I think they'll have 45- or 50-series tires on it.

Originally Posted by zen

using 16's with low profile tires is going to hose your gear ratio though and have you turning higher RPMs at lower speeds.

To that end, I am going with the recently-purchased wheels below (BBS RX-II 16x6½ et42) but I am opting for 205/55-16 tires as they will have an overall diameter that will be very close to the same as the stock wheels and tires.