I'm trying to figure out if I should just upgrade the rubber on my stock 17's to 244front 255rear (probably toyo proxes t1's), or if I should try to step up to 18's.

I'm only really interested in performance...street racing...as well as track racing - and yes - its my daily driver. I dont really want to step up to a larger diameter rim, as it's more rotational mass. But I did see some 17's made for cobra's that are 17 x 9...which may be the perfect rim for me as its the same diameter. And what I would lose from being wider, I should make up from being lighter, with more contact patch.

I'm open for suggestions, because right now I'm having a REALLLLY tough time putting power to the pavement.

Thanks in advance,

-Blaise

 

I don't have a fact based answer for you, BUT I personally would go with wider. A lot of the AutoX guys run 17x9 wheels all around. You could probably fit 17x10 or even 17x11 in the rear to get more traction if you don't mind some understeer.

It seems to me that if you stay with 17" you can go wider more easily without rubbing issues. I have always wondered why the turbo guys go with larger diameters. Does a taller wheel help with traction any more or give a bigger contact patch? I'm not sure, just things that I wonder about in idle moments.

 

I'd go with 18's at least if not 19's. And for the following setup "I" would use:

For stock
17x8 FR 245
17x8.5 RR 265

18x9 FR 265
18x10 RR 305

19x9 FR 265
19x10 RR 305

You might not need that wide of a tire unless you are putting a lot of power down. So the 17" setup might be fine. Just get wider tires.

 

Wheel and tire size is always a trade off between weight, ride comfort and traction. If you're interested in traction, the type of tire is as important as the width. A 8 inch wide competition tire will get you better 60-foot times then a 9 inch wide street tire.

If you are serious about drag racing, then get wheels and tires for drag racing only.

If you have to compromise with a street legal set-up, then select a tire with superior dry performance.

 

What tires did you order?

 

I've seen a lot of guys use 5Zigen FN01R-C wheels for track use. They're really light and they have an avalible 10 inch width.

 

+1 for the 5Zigen FN01R-C's. I have a set in 17x9" with 275/40-17's Falken RT-615s. A great combo for street or track. It also makes it easy to rotate wheels/tires around all four corners, since the Falkens are not directional.