why not 18's
#1
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why not 18's
Im having trouble understanding why 18" wheels are not good for racing. Is it that the over-all diameter is more or is it weight? I measured a 18" wheel, 235/40/18 compared to a 225/50/16 and I come up with about a 1/2 difference(from top to bottom of wheel, in inches). Does it just change the final gear or what.
Im really debating on 18" or 17", Before I had very bad traction problem with 18X9.5 in the rear(mainly becuase of the spinmo xsta supra's) Im thinking of using a 17X9.5 and putting a 275 drag radial for the rear.
Im really debating on 18" or 17", Before I had very bad traction problem with 18X9.5 in the rear(mainly becuase of the spinmo xsta supra's) Im thinking of using a 17X9.5 and putting a 275 drag radial for the rear.
#2
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Depends on what type of racing you're doing. Straight-line drags really call for stock 16s or Supra MkIV 16 x 9s (with wheel spacers, and bored out center bore). The 9 wide x 16s mate really well with fat Micky Thompson ETs. For high speed road course lapping, 17s or 18s work well. Currently 10 x 18 with 285/30-18s are the hot setup--IF-- you have 2.5-inch coil springs and ride height adjustable shocks. This is the widest contact patch available for maximum cornering grip and handling. The next best is 9 or 9.5 x 17s with 255/40-17s. These will fit on most stock setups given the proper offset. With 10 x 18s you pay in extra unspring weight for more grip (a fair trade-off if you have 360 rear-wheel hp). For stock or mostly stock cars, 9 x 17 with 255/40-17 costs a few more lbs of unsprung weight in exchange for MUCH more grip than the stock setup. 17s/18s aren't good for drag racing because the the tire profile for most of these sizes (except 275/40-17) are very low, and act as stiffer springs (yes the tire sidewalls act as springs also). Stiffer is not necessarily what you want when trying to hook up for a good holeshot
Last edited by SleepR1; 10-15-03 at 07:31 PM.
#3
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sleepR1, thanks man.. You answered alot of my questions, but whats the disadvanteges of accelaration with 18. Also i dont want to jack the car up and higher than it already is. If a over all diameter is a 1/2 inch more, it would lift the car a 1/2 off the ground right.
talk me out of getting 18's
talk me out of getting 18's
#4
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18" are now almost like a standered in Grand touring type racing. Just look at all the 18" race slicks, it seems only avon makes a good slection of 17" race slicks now.
tall wheels have lower profile tires and low profile tire sidewalls roll over less durring hard cornering.
high profile tires a good for drag racing because you can let some of the air out so the tire gets a wider contact patch on the ground.
this is fantastic for trying to find a new tire size and to make sure the new tire is as tall as the OE size.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
tall wheels have lower profile tires and low profile tire sidewalls roll over less durring hard cornering.
high profile tires a good for drag racing because you can let some of the air out so the tire gets a wider contact patch on the ground.
this is fantastic for trying to find a new tire size and to make sure the new tire is as tall as the OE size.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
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Originally posted by 93redFD
sleepR1, thanks man.. You answered alot of my questions, but whats the disadvanteges of accelaration with 18. Also i dont want to jack the car up and higher than it already is. If a over all diameter is a 1/2 inch more, it would lift the car a 1/2 off the ground right.
talk me out of getting 18's
sleepR1, thanks man.. You answered alot of my questions, but whats the disadvanteges of accelaration with 18. Also i dont want to jack the car up and higher than it already is. If a over all diameter is a 1/2 inch more, it would lift the car a 1/2 off the ground right.
talk me out of getting 18's