Best wheel size for track
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Hey guys. Just a quick question to get your thoughts on this.
Is there a benefit to running a larger wheel on the track? For example, 17in vs 18in vs 19in? My factory wheels are 18s, however 17s would obviously be cheaper (especially for tires), and lighter, whereas 18+ would be easier to get a larger width, and a cheap way to run longer gears (if thats something desired).
Lets take gearing out of the picture, as there are pros and cons to either direction you go. Lets also take the obvious sex factor out![Wink](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
The only benefit I can think of off the top of my head is the ability to run a larger brake, but if I don't plan to, is there any other benefit to running an 18 over a 17?
Is there a benefit to running a larger wheel on the track? For example, 17in vs 18in vs 19in? My factory wheels are 18s, however 17s would obviously be cheaper (especially for tires), and lighter, whereas 18+ would be easier to get a larger width, and a cheap way to run longer gears (if thats something desired).
Lets take gearing out of the picture, as there are pros and cons to either direction you go. Lets also take the obvious sex factor out
![Wink](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
The only benefit I can think of off the top of my head is the ability to run a larger brake, but if I don't plan to, is there any other benefit to running an 18 over a 17?
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When thinking about rim size there are a few items to consider.
1) If you are going to compete, what sizes are allowes
2) Widths available
3) Price to replace rims
4) Availability and price of tires for that rim size
5) Scrubs available...if this is just for HDPE's and such, sharing a common size with a popular series makes getting used tires a lot easier
6) Weight
These are not in oder of importance but as they came to me. Remember that diameter does not dictate tire width, unless it's because of availability.
1) If you are going to compete, what sizes are allowes
2) Widths available
3) Price to replace rims
4) Availability and price of tires for that rim size
5) Scrubs available...if this is just for HDPE's and such, sharing a common size with a popular series makes getting used tires a lot easier
6) Weight
These are not in oder of importance but as they came to me. Remember that diameter does not dictate tire width, unless it's because of availability.
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The plan is to compete, however the rules allow anything larger than 10in. I am allowed to go with bigger brakes, but I don't feel there is enough cost/benefit (another topic all together).
I only mention 18s getting wider as it seems to be easier to find for example 285 in an 18 more often than in a 17 (not that it doesn't exist in a 17).
Sounds good though, I think I will be shopping for 17in wheels, mostly just to keep the cost down! Thanks for the input.
I only mention 18s getting wider as it seems to be easier to find for example 285 in an 18 more often than in a 17 (not that it doesn't exist in a 17).
Sounds good though, I think I will be shopping for 17in wheels, mostly just to keep the cost down! Thanks for the input.
#5
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Hey guys. Just a quick question to get your thoughts on this.
Is there a benefit to running a larger wheel on the track? For example, 17in vs 18in vs 19in? My factory wheels are 18s, however 17s would obviously be cheaper (especially for tires), and lighter, whereas 18+ would be easier to get a larger width, and a cheap way to run longer gears (if thats something desired).
The only benefit I can think of off the top of my head is the ability to run a larger brake, but if I don't plan to, is there any other benefit to running an 18 over a 17?
Is there a benefit to running a larger wheel on the track? For example, 17in vs 18in vs 19in? My factory wheels are 18s, however 17s would obviously be cheaper (especially for tires), and lighter, whereas 18+ would be easier to get a larger width, and a cheap way to run longer gears (if thats something desired).
The only benefit I can think of off the top of my head is the ability to run a larger brake, but if I don't plan to, is there any other benefit to running an 18 over a 17?
17s are not necessarily lighter than 18s unless you are comparing the exact same wheel and width. 17" tires, overall, are cheaper when new, but there are a lot of 18s out on the barely-used market. What kind of tires do you think you'll run?
The plan is to compete, however the rules allow anything larger than 10in. I am allowed to go with bigger brakes, but I don't feel there is enough cost/benefit (another topic all together).
I only mention 18s getting wider as it seems to be easier to find for example 285 in an 18 more often than in a 17 (not that it doesn't exist in a 17).
Sounds good though, I think I will be shopping for 17in wheels, mostly just to keep the cost down! Thanks for the input.
I only mention 18s getting wider as it seems to be easier to find for example 285 in an 18 more often than in a 17 (not that it doesn't exist in a 17).
Sounds good though, I think I will be shopping for 17in wheels, mostly just to keep the cost down! Thanks for the input.
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The performance/DOT-R tire manufacturers are currently focusing their development efforts on 18" sizes. The compound, tread patterns, belting, and sidewalls are all optimized for the 18" sizes and then adjusted to fit 17" wheels. I'm sure the performance different is slight and for 99.9% of us it doesn't mean a thing but keep in mind that 18" wheels are where the focus is on tire performance.
Last edited by betamotorsports; 02-16-2010 at 02:29 PM.
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The performance/DOT-R tire manufacturers are currently focusing their development efforts on 18" sizes. The compound, tread patterns, belting, and sidewalls are all optimized for the 18" sizes and then adjusted to fit 17" wheels. I'm sure the performance different is slight and for 99.9% of it doesn't mean a thing but keep in mind that 18" wheels are where the focus is on tire performance.
As for which tire, im still undecided. It will either be an R-Compound with tread as it gives me -5 points in the series I want to race, or a premium R-compound (like a BF R1 or V710 for example). Either way, I imagine I would be buying new.
The 285 was just a number I pulled out of my ... Again, haven't decided on the size as Im not sure if I want a square setup. 275 seems more common for 17s. Although I would likely lean towards something...cheaper, like a 245 all around.
In any case, my main concern was if there was some dynamic I was not seeing, that gave an advantage of running a larger wheel. I still have some research to do on the rest
![Wink](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#10
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Interesting. I figured 17s were more common but that was just at first glance at a couple of size charts.
As for which tire, im still undecided. It will either be an R-Compound with tread as it gives me -5 points in the series I want to race, or a premium R-compound (like a BF R1 or V710 for example). Either way, I imagine I would be buying new.
The 285 was just a number I pulled out of my ... Again, haven't decided on the size as Im not sure if I want a square setup. 275 seems more common for 17s. Although I would likely lean towards something...cheaper, like a 245 all around.
In any case, my main concern was if there was some dynamic I was not seeing, that gave an advantage of running a larger wheel. I still have some research to do on the rest![Wink](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
As for which tire, im still undecided. It will either be an R-Compound with tread as it gives me -5 points in the series I want to race, or a premium R-compound (like a BF R1 or V710 for example). Either way, I imagine I would be buying new.
The 285 was just a number I pulled out of my ... Again, haven't decided on the size as Im not sure if I want a square setup. 275 seems more common for 17s. Although I would likely lean towards something...cheaper, like a 245 all around.
In any case, my main concern was if there was some dynamic I was not seeing, that gave an advantage of running a larger wheel. I still have some research to do on the rest
![Wink](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Goodluck, maybe I'll see your z at the track.
Matt B
2006 350z Silverstone
#41 GT3
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