Wheel Size & Performance
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Wheel Size & Performance
I apologize for my general ignorance of all things automotive, however I'm interested and trying to learn here.
Question: Is there a point at which a wheel becomes too large and can actually degrade your performance?
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I ask because I've heard people mention 20" and 22" rims being used on their Z. I'm curious to know if this is pure bling or if there is an advantage to have just the right sized wheel?
I'm not into rice at all, I want performance, even if it's ugly...
Question: Is there a point at which a wheel becomes too large and can actually degrade your performance?
---
I ask because I've heard people mention 20" and 22" rims being used on their Z. I'm curious to know if this is pure bling or if there is an advantage to have just the right sized wheel?
I'm not into rice at all, I want performance, even if it's ugly...
Originally Posted by C4talyst
I apologize for my general ignorance of all things automotive, however I'm interested and trying to learn here.
Question: Is there a point at which a wheel becomes too large and can actually degrade your performance?
---
I ask because I've heard people mention 20" and 22" rims being used on their Z. I'm curious to know if this is pure bling or if there is an advantage to have just the right sized wheel?
I'm not into rice at all, I want performance, even if it's ugly...
Question: Is there a point at which a wheel becomes too large and can actually degrade your performance?
---
I ask because I've heard people mention 20" and 22" rims being used on their Z. I'm curious to know if this is pure bling or if there is an advantage to have just the right sized wheel?
I'm not into rice at all, I want performance, even if it's ugly...
The 17-inch SSR wheel above weighs 15.9 pounds.
The 19-inch RO_JA wheel above weighs 28.0 pounds.
A 28.0 pound wheel will take more power to turn, greater stopping distance, greater stress on suspension components and wheel bearings. But besides that, 19 inches rock!
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Wheels and tires represent "unsprung" weight which has the greatest impact on performance. Anytime you increase the weight of the wheels, tires, brakes ect. you hurt your performance.
That being said tires are one thing that can increase your overall performance the most as well. This is why you here people that upgrade their wheels and tires talk about how much better the car handles ect... But in reality they added 10lbs on each cornor and they could have upgraded the tires on their stock wheels and see even bigger gains!
Stock wheels on the Z are pretty hefty, track wheels excluded and larger diameter wheels will help given that they are lighter
IMO absolute max would be 18", but unless you have bags of money to spend 16" or 17"s would be great, just enough to clear the brakes
That being said tires are one thing that can increase your overall performance the most as well. This is why you here people that upgrade their wheels and tires talk about how much better the car handles ect... But in reality they added 10lbs on each cornor and they could have upgraded the tires on their stock wheels and see even bigger gains!
Stock wheels on the Z are pretty hefty, track wheels excluded and larger diameter wheels will help given that they are lighter
IMO absolute max would be 18", but unless you have bags of money to spend 16" or 17"s would be great, just enough to clear the brakes
Last edited by jakesford; May 14, 2006 at 08:41 PM.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Virginia, USA
Ahh that's right, unsprung weight has been explained to me before by some of my gearhead friends. Thanks for refreshing me. I may be getting a Z in the next month or so. I will no doubt be modding it some, however all my mods will be strictly performance related. I don't care for or have much respect for bling over performance.
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