Advantages/Disadvantages - 16 v 17

[CowPimp]

Okay, so I realize that 17" wheels are necessary for a serious brake upgrade. However, let's assume you want some improved handling and performance on a budget, and you aren't getting a big brake kit. Maybe some slotted rotors and nice pads for a marginal boost, but not the upgraded calipers.

Is there any other advantage to 17" wheels? I also realize that it is easier to find wider 17" wheels, but pretend your choices were limited to the same width. All I could come up with is the smaller sidewalls if you're looking to keep the speedo in check, but I would think that the extra couple of pounds of rotational weight dropped of the wheel/tire assembly might be worth more.

 

[Woodsy0]

In a comparison of two identical model wheels, one at 16" and one at 17", 16" wheels are lighter and cheaper. Less unsprung weight = better acceleration, braking, fuel economy.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html for keeping the speedo in line.

However, even if you aren't going with a big brake upgrade, some rotors (including Powerslot, I believe) require a 17" or larger wheel.

Aesthetically speaking, most can agree that 17"s look better than 16"s.

Although you wanted to disregard width, I feel that most people that buy larger wheels for performance reasons buy them to either accomodate a big brake system or to add some width to their tires, since wider wheels are easier to come by with 17"s than they are 16"s.

 

[SILV BLT]

However, even if you aren't going with a big brake upgrade, some rotors (including Powerslot, I believe) require a 17" or larger wheel.

Ok, thats ridiculous. If you're just upgrading rotors, they're all the same diameter so if you can fit 16s over the stock brake rotor, you can fit them over performance replacements. It's when you get a big brake kit that relocates the caliper further out to fit over larger rotors that gives clearance issues with 16s.

The rest of ^'s post is pretty much right on though. 16s are lighter rims than 17s, but to find a wide 16 gets a little pricey. Then again, a lightweight 17 gets a little expensive too. I think 17" tires typically cost more, but you can check tirerack and the likes for that.

 

[Woodsy0]

I remember seeing a disclaimer with the AEM big brake rotor kit (not 'true' big brake kit, just rotors) that specified a 17" or larger diameter wheel was needed. I could be wrong.

 

[DGajre777]

I have stock 17s, slotted and crossdrilled rotors (from sportbrakes.com) and I am happy with my braking.

 

[4BangR-x]

I remember seeing a disclaimer with the AEM big brake rotor kit (not 'true' big brake kit, just rotors) that specified a 17" or larger diameter wheel was needed. I could be wrong.

Thats because they are larger than stock, hence the name BIG ROTOR KIT.

 

[WatchItExplode]

Okay, so I realize that 17" wheels are necessary for a serious brake upgrade. However, let's assume you want some improved handling and performance on a budget, and you aren't getting a big brake kit. Maybe some slotted rotors and nice pads for a marginal boost, but not the upgraded calipers.

Is there any other advantage to 17" wheels? I also realize that it is easier to find wider 17" wheels, but pretend your choices were limited to the same width. All I could come up with is the smaller sidewalls if you're looking to keep the speedo in check, but I would think that the extra couple of pounds of rotational weight dropped of the wheel/tire assembly might be worth more.

I'm not really sure what you mean by that last part of your post about the speedo. You pretty much always want to keep the same overall diameter as the stock tire, no matter what size wheel (unless you have a good reason for doing otherwise, like if you want more torque from a shorter tire).

Anyway, the total wheel/tire weight probably won't be much different between a 16 and 17 because a 16 will have more sidewall, which also has weight.

One advantage of 17" wheels (or rather, an advantage of shorter sidewalls) is that the sidewall flexes less in cornering, giving more "precise" handling. But there's plenty of drivers that would probably argue otherwise. I think Jtoby races on 16 inch wheels. I guess it's a matter of driver preference

 

[CowPimp]

I'm not really sure what you mean by that last part of your post about the speedo. You pretty much always want to keep the same overall diameter as the stock tire, no matter what size wheel (unless you have a good reason for doing otherwise, like if you want more torque from a shorter tire).

Anyway, the total wheel/tire weight probably won't be much different between a 16 and 17 because a 16 will have more sidewall, which also has weight.

One advantage of 17" wheels (or rather, an advantage of shorter sidewalls) is that the sidewall flexes less in cornering, giving more "precise" handling. But there's plenty of drivers that would probably argue otherwise. I think Jtoby races on 16 inch wheels. I guess it's a matter of driver preference

Right, I was just saying that because you want to keep overall wheel/tire assembly diameter the same, the sidewall will be shorter if the wheel is larger. That's all.

That's the only thing I could think of. What I'm trying to figure out is if the difference in sidewall height outweighs the advantage of being able to buy slighlty lighter wheels for the same price. I'm thinking the difference is probably negligible either way, especially if you get a good tire with a stiff sidewall. I think I will probably go with 17s in the end. I am happy with the 17s on my DSM, but I'm probably going to get another car soon. Hence the thread, heh.