16x6.5" vs 17x9" (light weight vs grip)

[SuperTom]

I know this old but I still believe requires discussion. I am in the same dilemma when I go to a new set up next summer. TWS wheels at 16x7 10lbs with 225/50/16 tires or Wedsport tc105x 17x9 +35 ~15.5lbs with 245/40/17.




Reading that article staying lighter had the best times and didn't lose speed. That was a stock car.
I have ace headers and tune to up the juice and car is down to 2400lbs. Im leaning towards the wider wedsports because. A they will look more flush and not be indented looking. And if I ever go FI down the road I will already have wider tires.








Being a weight reduction junkie keeps me second guessing the thought of a super lightweight 16" wheel/tire setup If I don't really need more grip being lighter. Looks wise will suck though with wheels sitting inside too far. Adding spacers to expensive wheels would defeat the purpose.

[churchx]

If specific race is not regulated by specific tires & sizes everyone should run on, many race teams go for smallest wheels they can that still clear brakes.

Common folks with limited budget and need to balance between multiple compromises need to consider also specific tire models availability for specific wheel sizes in addition to brake clearance and also tire cost of specific sizing. Factors of looks and "handling feel" also affect choice.

As i'm still on OE brakes, my wheel choice is not regulated much by brakes clearance. As many performance tires to use in summer and on track alongside DD come in 17" and up; as in summer i prefer that sharper steering/handling feel and as there are less chances increased by lousy roads chances damage wheels, 17 is my "summer choice".

In winter, where sharp steering feel is lost with soft proper winter tires anyway, and where optimum tire width is preferably size or two narrower, i see no reason to not go for also cheaper price of tires for smaller wheel sizes, more comfort & compliancy/more pothole protection with my "winter set" of 16. It's kind of choosing right tool for the job, or choosing best balance/compromise according to priorities (that change in different seasons). (my choice may have been different though, if wouldn't need narrower tires for most grip or if there had been way to keep sharp steering feel that i like even with 16, but there isn't, even if one uses higher load tires with stiffer sidewalls. For winter tires to grip well they need to have soft compound and many sipes. If they don't, they fail of their main function to grip well in cold/on ice&snow. That rubber squirmy moving around - "unavoidable evil", and probably even 18-19 thin profile winter tires will still result in loose steering feel (in addition to such tires being much costlier)).

If winter wheel/tire setup is not in picture at all, then imho 17 makes a bit better compromise. Yes, a slightly more weight, slightly worse acceleration, IF everything else being same. But also better performance tire selection, better brake clearance (including several clearance for BBKs), slight wins on looks and sharper handling. And by chance one gets "free 17 wheel set" in way of OE ones . Imho more pros then cons vs 16.

[SuperTom]

Originally Posted by churchx

If specific race is not regulated by specific tires & sizes everyone should run on, many race teams go for smallest wheels they can that still clear brakes.

Common folks with limited budget and need to balance between multiple compromises need to consider also specific tire models availability for specific wheel sizes in addition to brake clearance and also tire cost of specific sizing. Factors of looks and "handling feel" also affect choice.

As i'm still on OE brakes, my wheel choice is not regulated much by brakes clearance. As many performance tires to use in summer and on track alongside DD come in 17" and up; as in summer i prefer that sharper steering/handling feel and as there are less chances increased by lousy roads chances damage wheels, 17 is my "summer choice".

In winter, where sharp steering feel is lost with soft proper winter tires anyway, and where optimum tire width is preferably size or two narrower, i see no reason to not go for also cheaper price of tires for smaller wheel sizes, more comfort & compliancy/more pothole protection with my "winter set" of 16. It's kind of choosing right tool for the job, or choosing best balance/compromise according to priorities (that change in different seasons). (my choice may have been different though, if wouldn't need narrower tires for most grip or if there had been way to keep sharp steering feel that i like even with 16, but there isn't, even if one uses higher load tires with stiffer sidewalls. For winter tires to grip well they need to have soft compound and many sipes. If they don't, they fail of their main function to grip well in cold/on ice&snow. That rubber squirmy moving around - "unavoidable evil", and probably even 18-19 thin profile winter tires will still result in loose steering feel (in addition to such tires being much costlier)).

If winter wheel/tire setup is not in picture at all, then imho 17 makes a bit better compromise. Yes, a slightly more weight, slightly worse acceleration, IF everything else being same. But also better performance tire selection, better brake clearance (including several clearance for BBKs), slight wins on looks and sharper handling. And by chance one gets "free 17 wheel set" in way of OE ones . Imho more pros then cons vs 16.

Yeah Brakes aren't an issue as I have the WRX wilwoods up front (apparently may fit some 15's). Also have my stock wheels with All seasons for the winter. Talking a summer setup mostly dd some HPDE maybe autocross events.


My current summer setups are Konig Hypergram's 17x8 with stock size hankooks, 36lb setup. I can be at that 36lbs weight with the wedsports and 245 tires and gain an inch of width/grip


Or can go lighter with 10lb wheels and 21lb tires and be 31lbs total. But would sacrifice some width and not look good for daily driving and be cushier and the expense of steering response.


Decisions decisions. At least I have until next spring to figure it out