How much better are light rims?
08-29-2007, 04:51 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-16-07
Location: Marion,Ohio
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How much better are light rims?
I am looking at rims. I have fond 2 sets of rims=tires I like in my price range. One set is 17" rims with 215/45/17 tires,the other is some light 15's with 225/50/15 tires. The 15"rims+tires are about 9 pounds lighter each. How much will the light rims help performance? The 15" rims are 11 pounds. How much do the stealies weigh? OK I guess I'm asking 15s or 17s? (but not just looks)
08-29-2007, 05:02 PM
#3
from a pure performance stance the 15's are the better choice, but for a daily driver id go with the 17's. the 17's will give you a much better ride and better fuel economy due to less rotations per mile. the 15's would be about 2 to 3 tenths quicker 0-60 and about 5-7 tenths quicker in a 1/4 mile.
08-29-2007, 05:12 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: 07-24-07
Location: C
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Less rotations per mile = less distance per mile = less miles per gallon
Right?
Sorry if I there is a misunderstanding, I am here to learn.
08-29-2007, 05:24 PM
#5
what i mean is the 17's would be a larger diameter overall, for instance a 215/45/17 tire rotates 838 times per mile, a 225/50/15 rotates 870 times per mile, a 205/50/15 rotates 899 times per mile. less rotations translates into lower rpm to hold the same speed which equals better economy on the highway. in stop and go traffic the 15's would be better, but only till you started traveling at a constant speed then you would have to be revving the engine higher to hold that speed.
08-29-2007, 05:26 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-16-07
Location: Marion,Ohio
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
from a pure performance stance the 15's are the better choice, but for a daily driver id go with the 17's. the 17's will give you a much better ride and better fuel economy due to less rotations per mile. the 15's would be about 2 to 3 tenths quicker 0-60 and about 5-7 tenths quicker in a 1/4 mile.
08-29-2007, 05:31 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-16-07
Location: Marion,Ohio
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
what i mean is the 17's would be a larger diameter overall, for instance a 215/45/17 tire rotates 838 times per mile, a 225/50/15 rotates 870 times per mile, a 205/50/15 rotates 899 times per mile. less rotations translates into lower rpm to hold the same speed which equals better economy on the highway. in stop and go traffic the 15's would be better, but only till you started traveling at a constant speed then you would have to be revving the engine higher to hold that speed.
08-29-2007, 05:41 PM
#9
yea top speed will be alittle bit higher with larger diameter tires.
Last edited by bluebaltjim; 08-29-2007 at 05:41 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
08-29-2007, 05:41 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-16-07
Location: Marion,Ohio
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
from a pure performance stance the 15's are the better choice, but for a daily driver id go with the 17's. the 17's will give you a much better ride and better fuel economy due to less rotations per mile. the 15's would be about 2 to 3 tenths quicker 0-60 and about 5-7 tenths quicker in a 1/4 mile.
08-29-2007, 05:44 PM
#11
it would probly be within a tenth or two between the steelies and some light 15" wheels, our cars make pretty good torque for their class and a few pounds on each corner isn't gonna make a huge difference. the biggest difference you can make is with some sticky rubber.
08-29-2007, 05:53 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-16-07
Location: Marion,Ohio
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
it would probly be within a tenth or two between the steelies and some light 15" wheels, our cars make pretty good torque for their class and a few pounds on each corner isn't gonna make a huge difference. the biggest difference you can make is with some sticky rubber.
08-29-2007, 05:57 PM
#13
yea the nexen n3000's i have are like that too, my last set of tires only lasted about 12000 miles and thats just rediculous. 225 width tires suit the cobalts really well, those skinny 195's that come stock on the 2.2's suck ass.
08-30-2007, 06:51 PM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-16-07
Location: Marion,Ohio
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08-30-2007, 07:13 PM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-16-07
Location: Marion,Ohio
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like the look of the 17's but heavier wheels rob HP and I like to play. The 15's I like are the bronze Falken Hanabi rims. I think they will look good and save unsprung weight.
08-31-2007, 07:39 AM
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-16-07
Location: Marion,Ohio
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08-31-2007, 07:55 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: 07-09-06
Location: PA
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So you could go inbetween and get some 16" wheels. Light but still look decent. All I know is I wish they made 16x8 wheels for the SS/SC. Those wheels Jim has for autocross are awesome. I want them for track days for the SS/SC but no luck...=(
08-31-2007, 09:40 AM
#24
Not a Sebring
08-31-2007, 10:03 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-15-06
Location: .
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
These are THE wheel when it comes to lightweight
http://www.enkei.com/RacingSeriesSpecs/RPF1.html
.jpg)
Like Blue said, My plan is a set of these 15x7 for Auto-x (STS Class) then 17x7 for street use.
My feelings on the subject, 18's 19's you take away too much sidewall and you risk bending the rim more. Though they do look better. + more weight
I had a set of 16's but finding a 225 series tire is a lil more difficult and usually more expensive
225/50/15's = Dirt Cheap
225/45/17's = Pretty reasonable and priced about the same as a 16
http://www.enkei.com/RacingSeriesSpecs/RPF1.html
Like Blue said, My plan is a set of these 15x7 for Auto-x (STS Class) then 17x7 for street use.
My feelings on the subject, 18's 19's you take away too much sidewall and you risk bending the rim more. Though they do look better. + more weight
I had a set of 16's but finding a 225 series tire is a lil more difficult and usually more expensive
225/50/15's = Dirt Cheap
225/45/17's = Pretty reasonable and priced about the same as a 16