HDGamer

iTrader: (1)

Hey everybody, so I'm wondering what the best wheels are for performance on the road. Specifically, im interested about weight, I hear the Volk TE-37s are pretty good in that department.

Also, what is the best size for performance? 18inch or 19 inch? I know 19s are heavier (more unsprung weight), but it also means less sidewalls for the tires to flex under cornering, right? Same goes for rim width: 9.5, 10, or 10.5? Unsprung Weight vs contact patch?

Last but not least, offset and camber. I would imagine the lower the offset, the better the handling characteristics, since the car would have a wider "stance." And I'm guessing a tad of camber can't hurt either.

Anyways, all noob questions im sure, but would appreciate any help.

anasmak11

TE37 SL 18x9.5 22

tkromer

iTrader: (6)

I think most of your statements are true. I don't know that the handling of a 19 makes up for the weight -- in fact I'd say it rarely would. The contact patch is far more important than the flex of the sidewall in terms of handling too, wider is better.

It depends on what you're doing too, autocross, rally or dragging.

"The best" will be relative to your sport and budget. Volks are great for moderate budget, but you can get magnesium and carbon fiber rims that are far superior for 3-5x the cost.

GTWORX.com

iTrader: (35)

tkromer is right, lets start with the intended usage of the car. And no, 19's are too big. Generally speaking at this level of the car, you want wheels that are just big enough to clear the brakes and that's it.

And I actually don't think going with huge 10.5 inch wide wheels is a great idea all of the time, but that's just me.

- drew

GUnited

iTrader: (1)

very informative info here, with the 18x9.5 +22 offset, do I need to roll fenders or anything? Or do they just bolt right up?

Hiboost

iTrader: (9)

I agree going too big too early will hurt you, but it's not going to feel like you threw an anchor out of the car either.

As your engine output goes up, you need to increase your contact patch and take the slight weight penalty of wider wheels and tires as a compromise or start to feel like the car is overpowering the tires on corner exit. When I tested some 265/35-18 Bridestone RE11 tires on 18x9.5 wheels I was hitting 85 mph in the carousel at Watkins Glen, a nice consistant threshold sweeper turn where you can really test the limits of a car if you are carefull. I got similar speeds from a set of 275/30-19 Yokohama AD08 tires and it turns out the tires have similar grip levels and tread width specs, although had slightly better response with the shorter sidewalls.

Next I tested some 265/35-18 Hankook RS3 tires on 18x9.5 wheels and hit 87-88 mph before drifting wide at the limits. This year with the 18x10.5 wheels using 285/35-18 Hankook RS3 tires that I "barely" fit into the wheel wells I was able to hit 90 mph consistantly in that same turn.

The lighter and stronger wheels are your best bet for sure, curently my tires are 30 lbs and the Volk SE37k 18x10.5 +15 wheels are around 18-19 lbs. I think my old Kosei 19x9.5 wheels were closer to 22-23 lbs but the 275/30-19 tires were only 28 lbs. Comparing the two sizes the 19" combo had better transient response with the shorter sidewalls but the 18" setup was still quite good once the starter rubber was worn away and had more grip mid corner due to a wider/stickier combo. I think that 18" wheels and tires are likely the best bet unless you want the looks of a 19" wheel and increased response with the penalty of slightly more weight. Going with 265 wide rubber on 9.5" wheels is probably fine for most people running under 500 crank HP, but once you start exceeding that range I feel that a wider wheel and tire combo makes sense.

raytrix

iTrader: (12)

GTR comes with stock 20" rims but you can put 18" yet people still roll in 20" at the track. Don't see anything wrong with 19" as long as you can afford the more expensive tire pricing for that size. Also make sure they are light weight 19".

modacar auto

I rolled my rear fender wells on my 2006 EVO, my guess is you will too. The 18X9.5 with the 26535 was and is perfect.

HDGamer

iTrader: (1)

What would be preferable, 18x9.5 +22 or 18x10.5 +22? (Assuming no rubbing issues)

pikkagtr

why not run RPF1s 18x9.5 +15
They should fit nicely with 265/35 tires and are about ~18lbs a piece.
You can always offset a larger wheel/tire combo with lighter brake rotors

tkromer

iTrader: (6)

9.5 unless you're making 600+ HP...

NandoGeezy

im rocking rpf1's 18x9.5 +15