So what's the deal with wheels?
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
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Porsche put 15" rims on most of there 944s. Lots of people like to buy aftermarket rims and such, many times 16" or so. Ive even seen big old dubs on a 44.
So my question is what kind of advantages do rim size give you? what are the advantages to having bigger rims. Handling, acceleration? Do they degrade the performance?
If Porsche put 15s on them I'm sure thats the optimal size for a well rounded car, but if I put wider ones one will my handling go up? even if acceleration goes down.
So my question is what kind of advantages do rim size give you? what are the advantages to having bigger rims. Handling, acceleration? Do they degrade the performance?
If Porsche put 15s on them I'm sure thats the optimal size for a well rounded car, but if I put wider ones one will my handling go up? even if acceleration goes down.
#2
Defending the Border
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Rest In Peace
Rennlist Member
Rest In Peace
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Don't be ascardt to use the "search" function, many people do and it saves them this embara....
This has been covered extensively.
This has been covered extensively.
#3
Team Owner
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To maintain the same overall wheel diameter bigger wheels mean shorter tire sidewall. Shorter tire sidewalls are moe ridgid and resond much quicker to steering input and enhance handling remarkably., Side walls also have less flex and make for less " body roll" under high speed maneuvering.
Smaller wheels wich provide larger sidewalls enhance comfort at the expense of some handling. The larger sidewall flex allows it to ride over bumps and absorb some of the shock. Also helps if you hit a large pothoe. MAY not destroy your rim.
Porsche tries to pick the best compromise of handling and comfort.
Smaller wheels wich provide larger sidewalls enhance comfort at the expense of some handling. The larger sidewall flex allows it to ride over bumps and absorb some of the shock. Also helps if you hit a large pothoe. MAY not destroy your rim.
Porsche tries to pick the best compromise of handling and comfort.
#4
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Larger wheel = larger tire, larger brakes, more brake cooling, stiffer sidewalls (because of lower size) producing a stiffer ride, looks
smaller wheel = less rotational weight, larger sidewalls for a softer ride, cheaper
smaller wheel = less rotational weight, larger sidewalls for a softer ride, cheaper
#6
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Originally Posted by Keithr726
iceman hit it right on target. Now rims width is another story, but generally the bigger the better. ![evilgrin](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/evilgrin.gif)
![evilgrin](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/evilgrin.gif)
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#10
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Originally Posted by Catfood
what about acceleration? how much speed do I lose by going from 15" to 16", I could care less about a smooth ride.
My 17" Forgeline wheels w/ Toyo RA1 tires, compared to the stock 16" phonedials with the same tires, are the exact same overall diameter, lighter, have stiffer sidewalls, all while being wider. In this case, much to gain/nothing to lose.
Cost of tires is all part of the grin-factor. That's like thinking about what kind of gas mileage you're getting. Who cares?
#13
Race Car
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By going from 15" to 16" 225/50 for both sizes, I lost a lot of time on the track. Bigger does not mean better from the track point of view. I have seen someone go from 17 dot R tires to 18 full race (not the dot R compound tires) and actually lost time. There is also easier tire spin from a larger diameter wheel since there is not as much sidewall to absorb the launch or acceleration. Look at most race cars (F1, Indy, NHRA, etc) and you won't see tiny sidewalls with respect to wheel diameter for whatever the reason. Bigger diameter wheels are mostly for looks in my opinion.
#14
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Originally Posted by Legoland951
Look at most race cars (F1, Indy, NHRA, etc) and you won't see tiny sidewalls with respect to wheel diameter for whatever the reason. Bigger diameter wheels are mostly for looks in my opinion.
-Darwin