Pros & Cons of going to an 18" wheels
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Pros & Cons of going to an 18" wheels I'm looking at getting some new rims for my SS. I was planning on staying with 17" but I see a lot of cars using 18".
I know thta 18" will look cooler but they increase the cost of the wheels and the tires. The car is my summer daily driver. The question is for street driving where the roads aren't perfect:
1) Is there much gain in dry traction or cornering assuming a medium priced street tire like an Avon or Firestone wide oval?
2) Is there any improvement in wet stopping?
3) Is the ride harsher or does the car tramline more?
If you've made the switch or driven comparable cars, let me know what your experience. If you made the switch and changed tires (defeats the ability to answer #1 and #2), let me know your driving thoughts.
TIA
I know thta 18" will look cooler but they increase the cost of the wheels and the tires. The car is my summer daily driver. The question is for street driving where the roads aren't perfect:
1) Is there much gain in dry traction or cornering assuming a medium priced street tire like an Avon or Firestone wide oval?
2) Is there any improvement in wet stopping?
3) Is the ride harsher or does the car tramline more?
If you've made the switch or driven comparable cars, let me know what your experience. If you made the switch and changed tires (defeats the ability to answer #1 and #2), let me know your driving thoughts.
TIA
Joel, it is mostly an appearance thing. I've had several sets of 17s and 18s, even of the same tires (usually Nittos, BFGs or Goodyears). 18" tires have come down quite a bit in pricing over the last few years, they are comparible to 17" pricing now.
Ride quality didn't suffer at all with 18s. Surprisingly, it didn't even suffer with the 19s I had on my convertible SS. Handling-wise, no difference in feel either.
I see 18s as the new 17s, since most cars are going bigger from the factory now. Even GTOs have 18s, the C6 has 19s, etc..
What wheels did you have in mind?
Ride quality didn't suffer at all with 18s. Surprisingly, it didn't even suffer with the 19s I had on my convertible SS. Handling-wise, no difference in feel either.
I see 18s as the new 17s, since most cars are going bigger from the factory now. Even GTOs have 18s, the C6 has 19s, etc..
What wheels did you have in mind?
Pros:
- Can look better
- Can have more stability because you'll be getting wider tires
Cons:
- Heavy as ****
- Tires are expensive as ****
1) The compound of the tire is going to have a much larger effect on the dry traction you get vs. how wide the tire is. Cornering/Handling will be better.
2) Haven't noticed.
3) Haven't noticed.
- Can look better
- Can have more stability because you'll be getting wider tires
Cons:
- Heavy as ****
- Tires are expensive as ****
1) The compound of the tire is going to have a much larger effect on the dry traction you get vs. how wide the tire is. Cornering/Handling will be better.
2) Haven't noticed.
3) Haven't noticed.
I went 17/18's on my z and I can tell a big differnce between the low profile 40/35 profile I have,it handles a ton better.
But like Nineball said,they look killer,IMO they look 100x better than 17's on the rear.
But like Nineball said,they look killer,IMO they look 100x better than 17's on the rear.
I noticed no difference other than price, depending on the wheel choice the weight may not be affected ither.
The cornering is more of an urban myth with the larger wheels, its been tested a few times. The cornering was affected little and suffered in the 19" and up sizes in all of the results I read.
The cornering is more of an urban myth with the larger wheels, its been tested a few times. The cornering was affected little and suffered in the 19" and up sizes in all of the results I read.
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From: Bethesda, MD
Tony:
I'm looking at some wheels at TomZWheels.
Top candidates are some chrome C6 Z06 or C5 Z06.
I'm generally not a fan of black rims, but I've also thought about the Torq Thrust M in black with the polished lip. The black would match the top and contrast with the silver paint.
My biggest concern is not messing up the ride quality by going to 18".
I'm looking at some wheels at TomZWheels.
Top candidates are some chrome C6 Z06 or C5 Z06.
I'm generally not a fan of black rims, but I've also thought about the Torq Thrust M in black with the polished lip. The black would match the top and contrast with the silver paint.
My biggest concern is not messing up the ride quality by going to 18".
Joel, the brand of tire has more to do with ride quality than the size of tire. Your silver SS would look kick *** with some black or anthracite TTM's, if the 18s are available.
Nittos are a good tire for the money, and last longer than some other brands. I also liked the BFG KDW2 tires, that have tread patterns like flames. Both were excellent tires. I have Kuhmos on my iForged 18s and they are loud and hard. Those came with the wheels, I won't replace them with the same brand again.
Nittos are a good tire for the money, and last longer than some other brands. I also liked the BFG KDW2 tires, that have tread patterns like flames. Both were excellent tires. I have Kuhmos on my iForged 18s and they are loud and hard. Those came with the wheels, I won't replace them with the same brand again.
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Originally Posted by steve7668
I heard that the larger size wheels and tires slow the car down a little?
The difference in weight between 17s and 18s is negligible if the tires are the same width and same OD. The actual wheels used makes more difference in weight than anything, but my butt-o-meter isn't sensitive enough to feel the difference between 17s and 18s.
Cast wheels are a little heavier, but seem to handle potholes better than fancy 3-pc wheels with spun hoops. Those 19" HP Racing wheels I had put up with some huge potholes and no damage. The 18" TT2 wheels bent easier on potholes.
Cast wheels are a little heavier, but seem to handle potholes better than fancy 3-pc wheels with spun hoops. Those 19" HP Racing wheels I had put up with some huge potholes and no damage. The 18" TT2 wheels bent easier on potholes.
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Your silver SS would look kick *** with some black or anthracite TTM's, if the 18s are available.
The TTM is a nice wheel but you will get the mustang wheel comment a lot. I have custom powdered TT IIs and get that now. I do like the soft lip on the Ms over the stepped lip on then IIs. Just make sure you go wide in the back, atleast 10s. As for the Kumho's I would stay away also, not a big fan of the MX
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From: St. Clair Shores Mi.
I Love my 18's and I love my Kuhmo Ecsta SPT's. I can't say much about the handling being better but the turn in is more precise because of the lower aspect ratio.The ride isn't much different but I need new shocks anyway. I made a huge transition from 16's to 18's
Last edited by LS1W66; Nov 17, 2006 at 04:06 PM.
Originally Posted by 99zman
If you go 18's can you correct your speedo through efi live or ls1 edit? is it had to do? thanks