17x8 vs 17x9 - trying to decide

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I've got two sets of wheels that I switch between - 17x8 (225/45/17) and 17x9 (235/45/17). I definitely notice the 17x9 wheels feel a bit heavier and slower in the canyons. But hard to tell whether that's due to the extra weight or sidewall/diameter.



If I were you, I'd get the 17x8. A good 225 will give you plenty of grip at a cheaper cost and with a bit of weight savings. You can also throw a 235 or 245 on if you want to try it out.



Only reason to get a 17x9 is if you wanted to play with even wider tire sizes (255-265).

Well said. Just saying gt radial sx2 in 245s 450$ shipped to your door... Also indy fire Hawks are really good cheap tires

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[Turdinator]

Originally Posted by NLSP

I run 16x8 with 225/50 now.

What wheels are you running in the size?

[NLSP]

Originally Posted by Turdinator

What wheels are you running in the size?

Got a couple of sets of 16x8: Enkei Compe with +25 offset, and Rota Slipstream with +45 offset:

[sygfrid]

IMO, weight should also be considered aside from width since weight will greatly affect how fast/slow the car can accelerate/decelerate.

Since I was in the market again recently for wheels with weight as the main consideration bec. I use my NA FRS for dd & weekend canyon runs, let me share the Excel sheet of those that I was considering. If you're planning to buy wheels, you may also want to do the same for easier comparison:


Width/ Offset/ lbs/ 18' WHEELS
7.5/ 38/ 17.5 Enkei PF01
8.5/ 45/ 18.4 Motegi MR140
8/ 45/ 18.5 Enkei RPF1
8/ 35/ 18.5 Enkei RPF1
8.5/ 44/ 18.5 Konig Ampliform
8/ 40/ 18.6 Konig Rennform
8/ 45/ 18.7 Motegi MR131
8.5/ 42/ 18.7 Enkei RS05RR
8.5/ 40/ 18.8 Konig Countergram
8/ 45/ 19.2 Enkei GTC01RR
8/ 45/ 19.4 Enkei PF09
8/ 45/ 19.4 Enkei NT03RR
8.5/ 44/ 19.4 SSR GTX01
8.5/ 42/ 19.6 Enkei GTC01RR
8.5/ 45/ 20.1 Enkei PF09
8/ 45/ 20.3 Enkei GTC02
8/ 35/ 20.3 Enkei GTC02
8/ 45/ 21.6 Enkei PF07
8/ 35/ 21.6 Enkei PF07


I have owned tried a bunch of sets with the same tires of 225/45/17 & 225/40/18:
17 x 7.0J ET48 @ 20 lbs -stock
17 x 7.5J ET45 @16.75 lbs -Enkei PF01
18 x 7.5J ET45 @17.65 lbs -Enkei PF01
18 x 7.5J ET42 @22 lbs -TRD 2019 SE (handling package)
18 x 7.5J ET35 @24 lbs -TRD black (squared setup)
The lightest wheel (PF01) is definitely more agile with the 18' being more precise. Moreover, it's easier to climb on slopes than the heavier TRD's.

(I have yet to try next spring my new set of Motegi MR140 18x8.5J ET45 that will be wrapped with MPS 4S 225/45 that's on my PF01)

[Racecomp Engineering]

17x8 with 225/45 is my choice for a daily/fun/canyon car with occasional track day and auto-x.

17x9 plenty good too and generally better for a more track focused car.

Weight is important, but so is strength. My wheels aren't that light but holy crap the roads I drive on...

Unfortunately it's harder to quantify strength from the consumer's perspective.

- Andrew

[ZDan]

Weight is important, but I wouldn't get too hung up on it...
I ran 235/40-17 NT01s on 17x9 6UL wheels (36 lb) back to back vs. 225/45-17 RE71Rs on 17x7.5 heavy factory wheels (42 lb.) at Palmer Motorsports Park a couple of years ago, it was close but I *barely* went faster on the heavier setup at same total vehicle weight. Difference in feel was not as tremendous as you might think.

Within reason, buy the wheels you like, I wouldn't worry at all about something like 18 lb. vs. 16 lb.

[Racenut]

Well perhaps against the good advise given here, I went with Apex ARC-8's in 17x9 and Champiro 235/40. Wheels are under 18 pounds vs the 25 pound wheels currently on it, so should feel lighter anyway. Also went with the "happy medium" choice on tire so we'll see. My son is a bad influence and says we're going to end up with track wheels and street wheels anyway lol.

Now to decide what to do about brakes...

Trying to get ready for Laguna Seca on Jan 10th as long as Covid doesn't ruin it.

[churchx]

Track wheels(+tires) and street wheels(+tires) sets is not that bad of idea. Changing wheels is simple/quick process relative to brake pads sets switch, and wheels being taken off even included in it. I have different wheels/tires for summer & winter .. why not also for track, to have best tool for a job everywhere, not jack of all trades, master of none.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by churchx

Track wheels(+tires) and street wheels(+tires) sets is not that bad of idea. Changing wheels is simple/quick process relative to brake pads sets switch, and wheels being taken off even included in it. I have different wheels/tires for summer & winter .. why not also for track, to have best tool for a job everywhere, not jack of all trades, master of none.

After a year of lugging wheels/tires to/from tracks and changing back and forth, myself and friend/fellow BRZ competitor in COMSCC time trials competition have (I think) decided to go back to "arrive-and-drive" for next year. Probably on RE71Rs or A052s. Also I run my "track" pads all track season anyway! Speakin of which I need to change those out...

[churchx]

I do switch without haste day or a bit more before & after trackday. Resulting in somewhere in-between changing right on track vs pure arrive-and-drive. As bonus, no need for trailer, all day can be spent on track, instead of 1/3rd of it spent on wrenching. And arrived to that from opposite end, previously preferring hybrid pads and street tires used all the time. While some rare track pads worked fine for me driven on street too braking wise, they had other drawbacks for DD, that caused me to gave up dual-use completely (dusted like nothing else ever, and had increased wear when cold (during DD), which was not ok for penny pinching me with pads that costed 2-3x more then cheap pads).

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by ZDan

After a year of lugging wheels/tires to/from tracks and changing back and forth, myself and friend/fellow BRZ competitor in COMSCC time trials competition have (I think) decided to go back to "arrive-and-drive" for next year. Probably on RE71Rs or A052s. Also I run my "track" pads all track season anyway! Speakin of which I need to change those out...

Track pads for daily would drive me nuts

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[Mike_ZN6]

17x9 and 18x9.5 are the most popular sizes for this car.

[churchx]

No. Most popular size is 17x7 in way of OE wheels. Outnumbers any aftermarket wheel choice by far.