How much do 17" wheels help handling?
#1
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How much do 17" wheels help handling?
I was thinking about getting some 17" rims and tires, but if they are just mainly for looks, then I probably wont get them soon. I do want 265's too, but I am mainly looking for cornering capibilities.
#3
TECH Apprentice
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm running the stock ZO6 setup with 17s in front and 18s in the rear. Upgrading to even 17s with 275s all around would definitley open up your tire oprions to some high performance summer treads. TIRES make a HUGE difference in handling and sticking to the pavement.
#4
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
For the same ride height or outer diameter, you'll
always do better for handling if you have more
aluminum and less rubber. And the opposite for
drag launching, out back. The SS and other up-
optioned models came with 17" rims and 275/40
tires. You'll find the options get very thin if you
go to 265 or 285 on 17".
always do better for handling if you have more
aluminum and less rubber. And the opposite for
drag launching, out back. The SS and other up-
optioned models came with 17" rims and 275/40
tires. You'll find the options get very thin if you
go to 265 or 285 on 17".
#5
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
For the same ride height or outer diameter, you'll
always do better for handling if you have more
aluminum and less rubber.
always do better for handling if you have more
aluminum and less rubber.
Take a rubber band, and stretch a portion of it across your finger tip, then slowly let it unstretch. Performance/competition/racing tires all work on basically the same principle.
Look at the sidewalls on most race cars these days. Formula 1 cars in particular run very tall sidewalls. I've seen pics showing serious flex on those tires under hard cornering as well.
It is always a compromise, but it's also a system. More flex equals less steering response, less feel of the road and what the car is doing, but it also means less traction at some point as well. Formula 1 cars have suspension setups to match the tires and still provide excellent handling to complement the serious grip. They would not perform well at all with really low profile tires.
#6
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (18)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: NW Houston, TX
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Look at the sidewalls on most race cars these days. Formula 1 cars in particular run very tall sidewalls. I've seen pics showing serious flex on those tires under hard cornering as well.