16 or 17 inch rim

[95burgundyesi]

Looking to buy some new tires, and before I buy a new set I was wondering for a summer tire, what would get me more traction the 17 or 16 inch rim. I currently have the 2gb tsi 17s. I know for drag radials most of my friends run the 16s because you can squeeze more tire on the gst rims.

Just trying to figure out what size will do with trap and tire width. I was thinking of picking up some evo 16s or gst 16s if they would help with spin. I like some spin because thats less strain on the xcase,axels, and trans. But even at the track with some all season 17-50-225 I spun half was into second.

I could always take the sand out of my vag and buy drag radials but ide wear them out in the summer when I daily the car.

 

[juanpac0]

With radials you'd also break stuff more often. If I were you I'd get 16's if I was trying to go for maximum traction. The reason drag racers choose smaller wheels is for more sidewall, and the reason you want more sidewall is that it helps absorb the shock of launching. Look at top fuel dragsters and such and watch some slomo tire deformation videos to see what I mean.

 

[95burgundyesi]

Yeah I think with the evo rims I can fit a 235 wide tire on the 16s. Vfaq says only the rears rub and you can roll the flange that barley rubs under load so it all fits.

Plus I think drag radials need to be heated up for best traction and I really hate having to spin the tires to heat them up everytime. Slicks I was told don't rely on heat as much.

And having a street tire kinda adds to the cool factor when I land on some big tire v8 after he came roaring out out of the water box.

 

[My1GLaser]

I would think that you will get more spin on a 16" rim. The overall diameter will be smaller unless you get a higher aspect ratio.
235/50/16 is 25.25" diameter.
225/50/17 is 25.85" diameter.

Less rotational weight should equal faster wheel acceleration, right? I am trying to figure this out for myself b/c I need 17" rims to get a big brake kit.

I run 225/45/16 with 22 psi and get 1.6x 60fts on Sumitomo HTR-Z street tires. My diameter is 23.97." I should have gotten 225/50 b/c mine are smaller than stock, which is 24.87." I have 8" wide rims so traction isn't an issue right now.

I want to get some Evo 8 Enkei rims which are 17x8" and I have been told that it won't really effect my trap speed much, but I'll probably get a better ET.

 

[95burgundyesi]

I have been looking everywhere for some evo rims. No dice yet. You can buy my 2gb talon 17s when I find my evo rims

 

[mike96]

basic rule of thumb.

drag racing = smaller rim = more side wall, better drag radial selection, more give in the tire, better traction.

road racing/auto cross = bigger rim = less side wall, less forgiving flex in the sidewall, better cornering.

like juanpac0 said take a look at some videos and see what the drag racers use. if it were me (i am not a big drag race fan BTW). i would get a nice set of drag radials on 16's and keep them in the garage for when you go to the track and keep a good set of DD tires for when you are on the street. you will save some money in the long run, both in gas and tires. most drag radials are only good for about 10K - 15K miles max, especially when you use them at the track.

 

[Dsmj89]

What are your plans for your car ? Do you plan to daily drive it or just drag race ?

 

[95burgundyesi]

My plans for the car is to net a 11.2-10.8 1/4 mile slip. I believe I have the power already if I could hook, plus I have added cams since my timeslip. The car's trap is already there, I just need tires. This winter I am putting the final touches(more fuel, and forged bottom end). After I get my time slip I really want to start moving to a road race direction. Car will see aout 5-8 trips to blackhawk farms this coming spring/summer.

 

[tma1c]

should be fine with 16s