3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

is wider necessarily better?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-25-02, 03:10 PM
  #1  
ttb
No Cup Holder Racing

Thread Starter
 
ttb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question is wider necessarily better?

looking for new wheels...is wider wheels necessarily better? not planning on putting down that much power..will eventually have dp, cb, intake, ic, pfc hi-flow cat. think 8" is okay?
Old 09-25-02, 03:47 PM
  #2  
Mr. Links

iTrader: (1)
 
Mahjik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 27,595
Received 40 Likes on 26 Posts
I'm no expert, but I would say 8" is fine.

Usually people just feel that if they are going to pay money for aftermarket wheels, why not get wider ones.
Old 09-25-02, 03:53 PM
  #3  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,819
Received 2,590 Likes on 1,839 Posts
my opinion: if you are going to buy different wheels you might as well get the factory 17" size.

mike
Old 09-25-02, 03:53 PM
  #4  
Senior Member

 
JUSTgotMINE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: raleigh, nc
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That's what I'm sayin...I'd go with 17x9 and 17x9.5's if I was going to pay for new wheels, unless they were stock 99's ...that'd be sweet too.
Old 09-25-02, 05:13 PM
  #5  
Lives on the Forum

 
rynberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Lorenzo, California
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
The problem is when you reduce the height of the sidewall (going from 225/50 16 to 225/45 17 for example), you reduce the total volume of air the tire holds. This means you reduce the load bearing capabilities of the tire and increase the chances of a blow-out. This is why most plus sizing is done as follows: 225/50 16 => 245/40 17

Going to 17x8 wheels will likely not increase your handling noticeably if at all. Go with at least a 8.5-inch wheel so you can run 235/45 or 245/40 (not optimally).

BTW, my wife thinks wider is better.....
Old 09-25-02, 05:14 PM
  #6  
2 FD's since '98

iTrader: (11)
 
rajeevx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: West Palm Beach
Posts: 1,598
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
ive got 17x8's up front and 17x9.5's rear. even if you went with 9's in the rear, its definatly worth the money to get that beefy roadster wide *** look. i personally think my 8's up front are kinda *****, i wanted 8.5's but ran out of $chedda.
Old 09-25-02, 05:15 PM
  #7  
2 FD's since '98

iTrader: (11)
 
rajeevx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: West Palm Beach
Posts: 1,598
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
oh, i forgot to mention that i can truley, truley take turns a hell of alot faster with the wide girth of the new contact patches.
Old 09-25-02, 05:26 PM
  #8  
WWFSMD

 
maxcooper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,035
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Wider is better. This was one of the lessons in the book "The Unfair Advantage".

And Pontiac commercials, too -- they said wider is better so it must be true.

This should accompany the other wheel sizing maxim -- "less wide than stock is a foolish non-upgrade."

-Max
Old 09-25-02, 05:41 PM
  #9  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
YayeR's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by rynberg


BTW, my wife thinks wider is better.....
good one
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Glazedham42
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
6
05-02-22 02:41 PM
Shainiac
Single Turbo RX-7's
12
07-17-19 02:20 PM
rx7jocke
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
72
06-17-16 03:48 AM
meximan
2nd Generation Non-Technical and pictures
2
09-22-15 05:21 PM



Quick Reply: is wider necessarily better?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:57 PM.