View Poll Results: Which wheel size
16's
10
12.66%
17's
46
58.23%
18's
23
29.11%
Voters: 79. You may not vote on this poll
Which wheel size for performance use?
Which wheel size for performance use? In the summer it'll be time to upgrade the wheels and I really want to know what is the best size with daily driving, performance etc. corners all that in mind. What size is ideal? I've got a list from 16-18. I know that 19's are more show than go, and I also know that street legal tires dont crease much if any on a launch. Keep in mind that the wheels you vote for will be on street tires. Thanks.
Originally Posted by _JB_
It's pretty much a tossup. The larger the wheel, the more it will weigh, but the largest I would go for my car would be 18s.
I love my OEM 10-spokes for daily driving. I'll throw on my snowflakes w/ DR's for the track.
Yea, I remember having my 18'' ZO's on the car and they were pretty heavy, no traction problems back then compared to the bald 16's, but I'm sure new bigger wheels/tires and the fact that it was almost a stock LS1 back then probably helped! Looks like 17's are leading the poll. I'd like to get the car as good looking AND fuctional as each will allow, maybe some 17" FM-5's?! 
Go 18'. Especially for cornering/handling you want a taller wheel/lower profile tire to prevent sidewall rolling. I don't think you should worry about wrinkling sidewalls on the street with even 16" wheels. JMO
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depends on which performance your looking for. If your lookinjg for 1/4 mile times you want a small wheel with a lot of tire(sidewall) for a bigger footprint(which equals traction). Road racing is different. The most choices in rubber seem to be in 17" sizes but the 18's are catching up. I like 18's for the road.
Originally Posted by 98LS-WON
Good luck finding a D/R that is wider than 245 for a 16" wheel.
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Falls, TX
Originally Posted by Zger
Um, MT makes the Et Street radial in 255/50/16. Ive seen 1.51 60's with those tires.
I'd base this a bit on the roads/tracks you'll be driving/racing upon as well. If there are a lot of potholes or other imperfections, I'd stay away from the 18's, and the relatively softer sidewalls of the 16/17's will help with comfort.
You'll get the best straightline mechanical advantage with a small diameter wheel and large diameter tire, and always with the lightest pair you can afford, but a lighter wheel may be prone to bend under certain conditions - depends upon material.
As already stated, it's difficult to find a DOT or drag radial which comes as wide as the 17's and 18's. Well, you can get them in bias ply road racing slicks, but that really doesn't apply unless you want to pay $400-500 new ($200-300 slightly used, though) and replace them every few hundred miles
You'll get the best straightline mechanical advantage with a small diameter wheel and large diameter tire, and always with the lightest pair you can afford, but a lighter wheel may be prone to bend under certain conditions - depends upon material.
As already stated, it's difficult to find a DOT or drag radial which comes as wide as the 17's and 18's. Well, you can get them in bias ply road racing slicks, but that really doesn't apply unless you want to pay $400-500 new ($200-300 slightly used, though) and replace them every few hundred miles