Are 17" wheels too big? Might work 16's work a little better? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

rogerdalien · 04-16-2012, 10:43 AM

Stock 17's are fine, I'm sure, but for those who want an additional aftermarket set (maybe dedicated summer tires,) are you considering 16 inch wheels as well?

What are some advantages of 16's? Well, look aren't one but performance might be.

1. 16's can weigh as little as 12 lbs.

2. There may be more tire choices in 16's and they might be cheaper too.

3. 16's might absorb the bumps better before sending the shock to the upper suspension.

4. Many 16' tire choices are lighter.

5. 16's are cheaper.

Do you think 16's will clear the rotors and calipers? Based on the photo, can you tell?

ichitaka05 · 04-16-2012, 10:47 AM

iirc someone was saying rotor was same size as WRX, so yes, 16's will clear em.

I'm planning to put GC's 5 spoke gold wheels (16's) on my FRS/BRZ for all reason tires & regular 17's for summer tires

Dave-ROR · 04-16-2012, 11:02 AM

16s will clear as noted above.

IMO tire sizes aren't ideal for 16" because of the gear ratio increase. I like shortening gearing though, not making it taller so YMMV.

Calum · 04-16-2012, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

16s will clear as noted above.

IMO tire sizes aren't ideal for 16" because of the gear ratio increase. I like shortening gearing though, not making it taller so YMMV.

huh? Dave, did you forget your meds today? I only ask because you're normally on top of things, this post isn't like you, from what I've read on here.

You wont change the gearing at all if you keep to the same outside diameter of the tire. 16's will just have a taller side wall.

ichitaka05 · 04-16-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calum

huh? Dave, did you forget your meds today? I only ask because you're normally on top of things, this post isn't like you, from what I've read on here.

You wont change the gearing at all if you keep to the same outside diameter of the tire. 16's will just have a taller side wall.

Not necessary true. If you run 205/55-16 well yeah, but if you run 225/50-16 or 245/45-16

Godzpeed · 04-16-2012, 11:53 AM

no, i'm putting 19"s on

ichitaka05 · 04-16-2012, 11:56 AM

^19's? So tires are like 255/30-19? Oh~ that won't be fun ride

Dave-ROR · 04-16-2012, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calum

huh? Dave, did you forget your meds today? I only ask because you're normally on top of things, this post isn't like you, from what I've read on here.

You wont change the gearing at all if you keep to the same outside diameter of the tire. 16's will just have a taller side wall.

I don't disagree with that. However, what tire size did you plan on using to keep the same outside diameter?

Here's what I made a long time ago:

245/45/16 is very close.. if you want to run R comps only.

Otherwise, I think the shorter gearing of the 235/40/17 plus the additional width will offset the wheel weight difference compared to 225/50/16s.

Only time and testing will tell for sure though.

Calum · 04-16-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

I don't disagree with that. However, what tire size did you plan on using to keep the same outside diameter?

Here's what I made a long time ago:

245/45/16 is very close.. if you want to run R comps only.

Otherwise, I think the shorter gearing of the 235/40/17 plus the additional width will offset the wheel weight difference compared to 225/50/16s.

Only time and testing will tell for sure though.

Touche. I knew something was missing.

ft86Fan · 04-16-2012, 01:56 PM

I think 225/50/16 looks promising. Its just a little bit taller. I'm concern that the 235/40/17 is a little too wide and may change the character of the car slightly.

GodSays · 04-16-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

^19's? So tires are like 255/30-19? Oh~ that won't be fun ride

I'm contemplating 19s but the rides exactly what I'm worries about which makes me wanna get 18s

ichitaka05 · 04-16-2012, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GodSays

I'm contemplating 19s but the rides exactly what I'm worries about which makes me wanna get 18s

Just go 18's

Draco-REX · 04-16-2012, 02:52 PM

This car is small. 18s will look plenty big, with 19s looking like donks. Not to mention a 215/45 sidewall is on the smaller side of things to begin with. Take an inch out of that and the ride will suck. I wouldn't go bigger than 18s on this car. And performance-wise, more and more shops are thinking 17s might be the larger you want to go.

Godzpeed · 04-16-2012, 03:13 PM

most of the demo cars u see are all running 19"

if you really care about ride, just get a camry. this is a sports car

04-16-2012, 10:43 AM	#1
rogerdalien Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 07 Corolla CE Location: United States Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Are 17" wheels too big? Might work 16's work a little better? Stock 17's are fine, I'm sure, but for those who want an additional aftermarket set (maybe dedicated summer tires,) are you considering 16 inch wheels as well? What are some advantages of 16's? Well, look aren't one but performance might be. 1. 16's can weigh as little as 12 lbs. 2. There may be more tire choices in 16's and they might be cheaper too. 3. 16's might absorb the bumps better before sending the shock to the upper suspension. 4. Many 16' tire choices are lighter. 5. 16's are cheaper. Do you think 16's will clear the rotors and calipers? Based on the photo, can you tell? Last edited by rogerdalien; 04-16-2012 at 03:55 PM.

04-16-2012, 10:47 AM	#2
ichitaka05 Site Moderator Join Date: Oct 2009 Drives: ichi 86 Project Location: Middle of No where Posts: 20,968 Thanks: 7,664 Thanked 19,056 Times in 8,329 Posts Mentioned: 678 Post(s) Tagged: 27 Thread(s)	iirc someone was saying rotor was same size as WRX, so yes, 16's will clear em. I'm planning to put GC's 5 spoke gold wheels (16's) on my FRS/BRZ for all reason tires & regular 17's for summer tires __________________

04-16-2012, 11:02 AM	#3
Dave-ROR Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Drives: Stuff Location: Florida Posts: 10,317 Thanks: 955 Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts Mentioned: 262 Post(s) Tagged: 8 Thread(s)	16s will clear as noted above. IMO tire sizes aren't ideal for 16" because of the gear ratio increase. I like shortening gearing though, not making it taller so YMMV. __________________ -Dave Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback DD: 2005 Acura TSX Tow: 2022 F-450 Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles

04-16-2012, 11:56 AM	#7
ichitaka05 Site Moderator Join Date: Oct 2009 Drives: ichi 86 Project Location: Middle of No where Posts: 20,968 Thanks: 7,664 Thanked 19,056 Times in 8,329 Posts Mentioned: 678 Post(s) Tagged: 27 Thread(s)	^19's? So tires are like 255/30-19? Oh~ that won't be fun ride __________________

04-16-2012, 01:56 PM	#10
ft86Fan Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Drives: FR-S, Exige S, Miata Location: Basking Ridge NJ Posts: 798 Thanks: 327 Thanked 131 Times in 80 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I think 225/50/16 looks promising. Its just a little bit taller. I'm concern that the 235/40/17 is a little too wide and may change the character of the car slightly. __________________ '13 Scion FR-S (Whiteout) '07 Lotus Exige S (Aspen White) Touring, Traction, Starshield '95 Miata (Montego Blue)

04-16-2012, 11:53 AM	#6
Godzpeed Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Nissan GTR Location: Hong Kong Posts: 136 Thanks: 3 Thanked 21 Times in 10 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	no, i'm putting 19"s on

04-16-2012, 02:52 PM	#13
Draco-REX Corner Junkie Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ, 11 STI, 99 RS Location: Ohio Posts: 2,908 Thanks: 129 Thanked 1,520 Times in 702 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	This car is small. 18s will look plenty big, with 19s looking like donks. Not to mention a 215/45 sidewall is on the smaller side of things to begin with. Take an inch out of that and the ride will suck. I wouldn't go bigger than 18s on this car. And performance-wise, more and more shops are thinking 17s might be the larger you want to go.

04-16-2012, 03:13 PM	#14
Godzpeed Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Nissan GTR Location: Hong Kong Posts: 136 Thanks: 3 Thanked 21 Times in 10 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	most of the demo cars u see are all running 19" if you really care about ride, just get a camry. this is a sports car

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