How big is too big?

[Bandit]

I just put new 18" wheels on my ride, and those bad boys are BIG!
I upsized from my stock 15's for performance reasons. I wanted a shorter sidewall for better cornering. There is a plethora of good tires out there for 18" rims as well.
So if 18" wheels are good in terms of performance, would 19" be better? What about 20 or 21" or bigger? Seems like the rim would get too heavy if too large, but would the extremely short sidewall help cornering ability and make up for the weight?
In terms of looks, I tend to think my 18's are big enough. I know some serious builders like Foose use huge wheels, but IMHO at some point they just don't look right.

[formula]

actually.....17s are generally considered to be the best performing and riding wheel size.

[homerneedspeed]

18's seem to be the biggest without adding too much unsprung, rotating weight, don't forgetwheels act like four additional flywheels to store energy. if you need more brakes than a 18" wheel can provide then you have too much audio equipment. you don't always want the shortest sidewall tire, you want a little meat to absorb the shock from potholes and to save your wheels and butt.

[baz67]

Yep 18s are about the limit.

[Johnny Blaze]

I have seen tests and tests in domestic as well as import mags that show time and time again, that 17's are best and anything bigger hurts performance in all aspects.

[BonzoHansen]

I thought anything over 17 was for posers?

[Ralph LoGrasso]

All else remaining constant (i.e. tires, wheel, etc) the performance gains from switching to a 17” rim from an 18" rim will likely be negligible; unless you've got some serious testing equipment. The ass-o-meter probably won't notice anything. In fact, when I switched from 17”s to 18”s on my '01 SS, my car not only handled better, but it hooked up better as well. This was due in part to much better tires on the 18s as opposed to the 17s. If you're looking to improve performance, rather than worrying about the difference between 17s and 18s, invest in some R-compound or really sticky street tires; there’s much more to be gained in tires, than wheels.

[Steve68]

BMW,Porsche,MB, Audi, all ran 18" wheels since the 80's in the racing divisions, that might kind of tell you something,

[CHROMAHOLIC]

17's are for the people who can't afford 18's...............

[Johnny Blaze]

17's are for the people who can't afford 18's...............

When looking for wheels and tires for my truck, I found that most 18" tires were the same or a couple bucks cheaper than 17". Wheels, the price is generally a small amount compared to the total price.

18"s and up are for rappers or wannabe playas.

[element180]

I thought anything over 17 was for posers?

Or for those who put bigger wheels on and don't put bigger brakes on as well .What's the use of bigger wheels if you don't fill the extra space with bigger brakes?My opinion is...upgrade the brakes,then get whatever wheelsize clears them

[chicane67]

I thought anything over 17 was for posers?

Well, maybe for some. But not if you cant use anything smaller.... due to the fact that your brakes wont fit.

[69Nova]

Those are some big brakes right there. Wow.

[fast Ed]

Isn't it tough to give an accurate answer to that question, without even knowing the vehicle it's going on?

Generally the smallest diameter wheel that will clear the brakes will do the best job, assuming that the vehicle has adequately sized brakes of course.


cheers
Ed N.

[BonzoHansen]

Well, maybe for some. But not if you cant use anything smaller.... due to the fact that your brakes wont fit.

That guy is creepy looking!

[Bandit]

I see some good observations on here....I didn't put too much thought into rim size, I picked 18's actually because Discount Tire was sold out of the rim I wanted in the 17" size. But I figure they should be a huge improvement over my stock 15" snowflakes with Cooper Cobras!! And I am getting them to clear big brakes...13" Wilwoods with 4-piston calipers are going on there soon!

[MrQuick]

Tell Shane im gonna have nightmares for the next two weeks. 18's are now the norm. Times are changing.

[ilovefirstgens]

Well, maybe for some. But not if you cant use anything smaller.... due to the fact that your brakes wont fit.

Looks like someone is enjoying those brakes a bit too much...

[Steve68]

Thats "Tires are a changing"

[parsonsj]

So what kind of cleaner do you guys use over at ATS? I think I need some of that.

jp