Will 17x11's slow me down?
08-08-2006, 07:51 PM
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Will 17x11's slow me down? My next mod is wheels and tires. I'm trying to choose between 17x9 gunmetal Z06s with rivets and polished lip or chrome ZR1s. I don't wanna go with a 18" wheel, so 18's are out of the question. How much will 17x11s slow me down if I decide to go with them on the rear vs 17x9?
08-08-2006, 08:12 PM
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Its purely for looks. I'd say the car would be slower by a determinable amount. Figure most 17x11 aftermarket GM wheels weigh aroun 28-30 lbs and the radial tire you're going to put on weighs about 30-33lbs. Thats a LOT of unsprung and rotating mass...expensive on the wallet too. If you go drag racing get a pair of slicks on 16" wheels. Total package of a stock 16" camaro wheel and 255 ET drag radial weighs around 38lbs vs most 17x11 and radial tire of approx 60lbs. each.
08-08-2006, 11:04 PM
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i noticed a huge diff.. I had 17x11 chrome zr1s on my car for a while..While I like the look of wide tires, I had to give it up..I like speed to much. I upgraded to a set of chrome 18x9.5 C5 wheels..much lighter and i can feel a in your seat difference. Just a thought that if you want speed not to go with any wide zr1 wheel. my .02
08-09-2006, 07:55 AM
#5
Originally Posted by BlackHawk T/A
17x11 TT2 is 27lbs
17x9 WS6 wheel (01-02) is 20lbs
17x9 WS6 wheel (01-02) is 20lbs
08-09-2006, 10:15 AM
#7
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ive been thinking about going with TT2 17x11s ad 17x9 but i dont want to spend all that money just for show and to slow me down, i am thinking ill keep stockers and get some 255 DRs.. still not sure though, glad someone made this thread
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08-09-2006, 10:39 AM
#8
I had chrome 17x9 SLPs all the way around on my car when I bought it. The car had some Nitto 555R DRs on it then, first time at the track the car went 12.5x's @ 111 (mid 1.9 60's), next time out after putting on custom wheel market 17x11 chrome zr1s with new 315 nittos and the car went the exact same ETs in the same weather as before.
If it's a difference I don't see it being equivalent to more than 10 rwhp...but thats just personal experience. Theres too many other variables that could make or break a 10 rwhp difference as well.
If it's a difference I don't see it being equivalent to more than 10 rwhp...but thats just personal experience. Theres too many other variables that could make or break a 10 rwhp difference as well.
08-09-2006, 10:59 AM
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I have AFS 17x11 black chrome ZR1's on mine didn't slow me down at all, well maybe a little. But they look kick *** compared to 17x9.5 on the back side... My P.O. 
Last edited by Kage; 08-09-2006 at 11:07 AM.
08-09-2006, 11:17 AM
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i could feel a difference between the 9.5' zr1's i had and the 11' i have now. but i can also launch a lot better with the 11' rim now, way bigger tire. i wont give up my 11' for anything.
08-09-2006, 11:25 AM
#13
There's actaully quite a difference in performance when you guys use heavier wheels. A wheel is unsprung weight. When you increase weight in these areas, you change characteristics of the car's performance.
Handling and braking are two areas that are effected and which can be significant. Wheel hop, acceleration/deceleration, , hp losses, longer braking distances are all issues that you will be affecting. Affecting adversly if they are heavy.
If you are doing this for an appearance mod, then it doesn't matter what you choose. If you are doing this for performance gains...choose wisely.
Handling and braking are two areas that are effected and which can be significant. Wheel hop, acceleration/deceleration, , hp losses, longer braking distances are all issues that you will be affecting. Affecting adversly if they are heavy.
If you are doing this for an appearance mod, then it doesn't matter what you choose. If you are doing this for performance gains...choose wisely.
08-09-2006, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by SJM Manufacturing Inc
wow, our typical Bogart road race 17x11 is ~16-18lbs depending on design and how we build them.
08-09-2006, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by GeArBaNgEr56
Just do it!!!
Are those the Sumitomo's? They look good on there, hmmm, I might go with them then again the Nitto's look good too.
Can't make up my mind
08-09-2006, 11:53 AM
#16
Good point LS69TA, the wheels do not have a DOT approval...this doesn't mean they are not strong nor safe. This certification is something that costs quite a bit. Since the wheels are built for applications that do not need DOT approval, adding additional costs to the wheels which in-turn is passed onto the customer is an unnecessary step.
They are designed to take extremely high lateral loads and forces seen in road racing applications (which typically see more harsh conditions then street applications). Actually, I don't believe I've ever seen one fail from RR use or Street use from EVERY car they have been built for. Strength concerns...I'd put them up against just about any other street aluminum wheel you see on the market today.
They are designed to take extremely high lateral loads and forces seen in road racing applications (which typically see more harsh conditions then street applications). Actually, I don't believe I've ever seen one fail from RR use or Street use from EVERY car they have been built for. Strength concerns...I'd put them up against just about any other street aluminum wheel you see on the market today.
08-09-2006, 04:41 PM
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Hmm, i'm going with some MT drags on 16"s anyway for track use since street tires are pretty much useless at the track for me now. I just don't want it to feel noticeably different on the street. I don't street race. Anything is better than stock chrome 16x8s. My car unfortunately has the Y3F sport appearance package and I think with the ground effects a wider tire would look lots better.
08-09-2006, 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by SJM Manufacturing Inc
Good point LS69TA, the wheels do not have a DOT approval...this doesn't mean they are not strong nor safe. This certification is something that costs quite a bit. Since the wheels are built for applications that do not need DOT approval, adding additional costs to the wheels which in-turn is passed onto the customer is an unnecessary step.
They are designed to take extremely high lateral loads and forces seen in road racing applications (which typically see more harsh conditions then street applications). Actually, I don't believe I've ever seen one fail from RR use or Street use from EVERY car they have been built for. Strength concerns...I'd put them up against just about any other street aluminum wheel you see on the market today.
They are designed to take extremely high lateral loads and forces seen in road racing applications (which typically see more harsh conditions then street applications). Actually, I don't believe I've ever seen one fail from RR use or Street use from EVERY car they have been built for. Strength concerns...I'd put them up against just about any other street aluminum wheel you see on the market today.
08-09-2006, 05:27 PM
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I was worried about the extra rotating mass when i went to a 11" on the back. Both my et and mph improved at the trach with 315 semi sticky tires. So I wouldn't worry so much about the weight if you like the look of a wider tire.
