why such big wheels?

[Amphilophus]

I was just wondering why the bigger wheels are better for handling? less side wall to flex? how hard do you have to drive before this would be a issue? does it really matter for a street only car? thanks.

[MrQuick]

Sure, less side wall, same diameter. Other reasons are: needed for bigger brakes, more tire sizes availible, and the chicks dig it. You would do just fine with 15's on the street...however see reason 3, LOL

[Amphilophus]

yeah well I am married so #3 doesnt apply to me lol. yeah the breaks thing is one reason I wanted to go big. one other question I always thought that the wider the wheel/tire the better for gripping the road. I was looking at a car and driver and they showwed some ferrari(sp?) super cars that were only running 225 and 235 tires on the front? so am I wrong in assuming that a wider tire up front is better for handling? sorry for the questions I am new and just learning. thanks.

[vanzuuk1]

Every thing is a compromise.Wide tires look great and give you a bigger contact patch but they can also make the car twichy and hunt around over bumps.Low sidewalls are good for handling but can feel harsher over bumps, . Whats "better" in one area usually sacrifices somewhere else.A car thats awseome for autocross might be a handful on the highway.

[deadcarny]

personally, I think when you get over 18" it starts to look goofy on most cars. I cannot see that running anything higher than 18 would actually help much on the street anyway....

[Travis B]

Big wheels are cool......

We run a 18,20 or 19,22 combo on pretty much everything

[CAMAROBOY69]

Looks like this is pretty much answered already.
1. Bigger wheels, less sidewall handle better -- Yes
2. Clear bigger brakes -- yes
3. Its cool and chicks dig it -- yes
Yep all answered already. I dont agree that it looks "goofy" but I agree that once you start getting over 18 wheels the ride gets a lot harder. Like they already mentioned. To get one or the other there is usually some sacrafice to make. I went from 14" wheels to 18" wheels and wouldnt change a thing. I love the ride and it handles so much better like you could never even imagine. I have posted videos to proove it too. Ride isnt too bad either. My girlfriend and I can easily sit for 9 hours straight and not get uncomfortable in my Camaro.

[HatTrick]

There is a limit to the 'larger = better' equation, though, especially on the street. Too big a wheel and the sidewall will be so short that road imperfections will not be absorbed causing an upset suspension. Translating more energy into the hardware will at the least cause a rough ride, but (someone please correct me if this is incorrect reasoning) putting all the energy into the suspension could cause tires to break traction. I wouldn't want to go any larger than 18s and prefer 17 for my ride, but thats just me. This is just a quick thought so, like I said, correct me if I'm wrong.

[jeffandre]

Some of the Euro-supercars tend to have more weight in the rear than the front, opposite of our musclecars, so they can run narrower tires for optimum traction. Of course many of them run fairly wide rear tires in these cases too. If you run an aluminum small block, move it back some, and replace heavy metal front end parts with lighter stuff you may be able to run smaller front tires without losing cornering forces/traction too.

Sidewall height is also very important to maintain traction when pushing the car, whether it is on a track or the street, neither are perfect surfaces. I have heard 3.5" is a good minimum sidewall, and I am wary of anything less than 3" on my own vehicles.

[vanzuuk1]

does anyone know for sure if a lower sidewall has a sharper breakaway point, does it break loose more abruptly? Predictability and feel is important also.