Wheel advice

[Fast_Freddy]

Hey guys, I could use some help picking a set of wheels for my firestorm FRS. I know I want to stay with 17's and I'm leaning toward 17x8 with 225-45-17 UHP summer tires.

What I need your help with is choosing the best offset to balance handling and aesthetics. I'm not lowered and probably won't be. I don't care about being flush but would like to improve on the oem look without compromising the suspension geometry.

I also need some wheel suggestions. I know black looks great on red cars but I'm really partial to hyper black, black chrome, or whatever other name they use. I like the hyper black Rota Grids but what else should I look at?TIA.

[Fast_Freddy]

Okay, how about opinions on Rota Grid 2 in 17x8 +38 hyper black on my firestorm FRS? Can anyone suggest other wheel manufacturers that offer this color under whatever name? TIA.

[Shadow Blue]

You need 9 inches on the pavement for maximum grip.

[Gary in NJ]

For street driving, choose the offset that you think looks best. I'm running et35 on 17x8's and don't feel any difference in scrub radius. If you drive a lot on a 300 foot skid pad you will notice the wider track.

[SortaFlushed]

Imho I think 18's is the bare minimum.

[Fast_Freddy]

Originally Posted by Shadow Blue

You need 9 inches on the pavement for maximum grip.

It's all about compromise. 17x9 with 245-40-17's might look and grip great but 17x8 with 225-45-17 will be lighter, ride better and get better mpg. I also don't want to lose the fun factor with too much grip.

Originally Posted by Gary in NJ

For street driving, choose the offset that you think looks best. I'm running et35 on 17x8's and don't feel any difference in scrub radius. If you drive a lot on a 300 foot skid pad you will notice the wider track.

Thanks. My new problem seems to be finding the size, style, offset and finish I want all together.

Originally Posted by SortaFlushed

Imho I think 18's is the bare minimum.

For me at least, it's function over form. 18's look good but make a slow car even slower.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Fast_Freddy

It's all about compromise. 17x9 with 245-40-17's might look and grip great but 17x8 with 225-45-17 will be lighter, ride better and get better mpg.

Enkei RPF1: 17x8 = 15.6 lb., 17x9 = 15.9 lb.

Michelin Pilot SuperSport: 225/45-17 = 22 lb., 245/40-17 = 23 lb.

1.3 lb. per corner

Ever so *slightly* better gearing and lower ride height with 24.7" 245/40s vs. the possibly/theoretically better mpg and ride with the 25" 225/45s!

[Shadow Blue]

Originally Posted by Fast_Freddy

It's all about compromise. 17x9 with 245-40-17's might look and grip great but 17x8 with 225-45-17 will be lighter, ride better and get better mpg. I also don't want to lose the fun factor with too much grip.

You don't always have to compromise...at least not where you weren't going to already. In your OP you stated that you probably won't be lowering it. So what a great opportunity to go wider without worrying! Besides, 9's aren't really that wide anyway. As far as weight, do as ZDan said and get some Enkei's. They are the best bang for your buck on a purpose build.

[clintavo]

Originally Posted by Fast_Freddy

Hey guys, I could use some help picking a set of wheels for my firestorm FRS. I know I want to stay with 17's and I'm leaning toward 17x8 with 225-45-17 UHP summer tires.

What I need your help with is choosing the best offset to balance handling and aesthetics. I'm not lowered and probably won't be. I don't care about being flush but would like to improve on the oem look without compromising the suspension geometry.

I am at the same crossroads. The lightest affordable rim/tire combination I have found is the Kosei K4R 17x7 (14 lbs) and 215/45 Dunlop DZ101 (21 lbs). This would be over 5 lbs per corner weight reduction over stock, which in my experience is quite noticeable in acceleration and bumpy road handling.

17x8 RPF1 (15.6 lbs) with 225/45 is roughly 2 lbs heavier than the 17x7 combo above. Is the marginal increase in contact patch worth it?

17x8 or 9 with a 245 tire isn't an option for me: +45 disallows the use of camber bolts (rubs the spring perch), +35 pokes.

Am I missing another option?

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by clintavo

215/45 Dunlop DZ101

Tire size is fine, but I wouldn't go with the DZ101. Much worse wet grip vs. other UHP or Max perf tires.
I would investigate alternatives:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...45&diameter=17

[clintavo]

Good to know, thanks.

[BrokenNocturne]

Can I have some thoughts on these rims? I like the way they look, but I imagine there are folks here that know way more about choosing good rims for you vehicle than I do...

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...nt&showRear=no

[clintavo]

At 20.6 lbs, slightly heavier than stock. Then again, most wheels in that price range are about 19 lbs.

Looks are... subjective. Personally, I believe god kills a kitten every time these are purchased.

I can't help but think the lighter ones look better, the same way I prefer the look of a $100 bill over a 1$ bill. It's about the capability.

[Fast_Freddy]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Enkei RPF1: 17x8 = 15.6 lb., 17x9 = 15.9 lb.

Michelin Pilot SuperSport: 225/45-17 = 22 lb., 245/40-17 = 23 lb.

1.3 lb. per corner

Ever so *slightly* better gearing and lower ride height with 24.7" 245/40s vs. the possibly/theoretically better mpg and ride with the 25" 225/45s!

Good job of finding that needle in a haystack! That example is far from the more typical 2-3lbs per corner. So much for the accuracy of Tire Rack's wheel weights. There is no avoiding some increase in rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag with wider tires. Thanks for your help but I have zero interest in RPF1s unless they're hyper black.

Originally Posted by Shadow Blue

You don't always have to compromise...at least not where you weren't going to already. In your OP you stated that you probably won't be lowering it. So what a great opportunity to go wider without worrying! Besides, 9's aren't really that wide anyway. As far as weight, do as ZDan said and get some Enkei's. They are the best bang for your buck on a purpose build.

I forgot to mention that I'm compromising some function for form too. Finish has to be hyper black. Current choices are Rota G-Force 17x8 +48, Torque +48 and Grid 2 +38. I have yet to find a 17x9 in HB that won't poke too much for my taste.

Originally Posted by clintavo

I am at the same crossroads. The lightest affordable rim/tire combination I have found is the Kosei K4R 17x7 (14 lbs) and 215/45 Dunlop DZ101 (21 lbs). This would be over 5 lbs per corner weight reduction over stock, which in my experience is quite noticeable in acceleration and bumpy road handling.

17x8 RPF1 (15.6 lbs) with 225/45 is roughly 2 lbs heavier than the 17x7 combo above. Is the marginal increase in contact patch worth it?

17x8 or 9 with a 245 tire isn't an option for me: +45 disallows the use of camber bolts (rubs the spring perch), +35 pokes.

Am I missing another option?

In your example the extra contact patch is definitely not worth the extra weight, IMO.