17" vs 15" wheels pros and cons |
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17" vs 15" wheels pros and cons |
moggy |
Aug 23 2015, 01:15 PM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 192 Joined: 15-December 04 From: Wales Member No.: 3,285 |
I don't seem to see many 914 circuit racers with 17" wheels on. Everyone seems to stick to 15". Is there a reason for this? I'm less bothered about the looks of 17" vs 15", I'm more interested in this from a performance perspective. Who out there has tried both wheel sizes? what size did you decide on, and why?
I personally have 15" (Cookie cutters 7" wide all around) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i31.photobucket.com-3285-1440357310.1.jpg) and 17" (Cup1 7"front 9"back) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i31.photobucket.com-3285-1440357310.2.jpg) At the moment, I'm forced to use the 17" on tracks where I need the top speed, due to my low ratio gearbox (a hangup from when it was a rally car). The 17" wheels have a 26" overall diameter. Whereas the 15" wheels are used on slower, twisty tracks. There is a huge weight difference between the wheels (including tyres) of 32kg (70.5lbs) total, which is an obvious benefit to sticking to the 15 "cookie cutters. But weight can't be the only reason why you circuit racers stick with the 15", so what are your reasons? |
Borderline |
Sep 25 2015, 09:53 AM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 720 Joined: 8-February 05 From: San Juan Bautista, CA Member No.: 3,577 Region Association: Northern California |
For AX I really like my 13" wheels. The smaller diameter drops the car 1.5" so the suspension can run closer to design points. I dropped about 80# of unsprung wt between smaller rotors, Willwood calipers, 13" wheels and tires! Also, I'm finding that 13" tires are about $100 cheaper per tire (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) FWIW (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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Randal |
Sep 25 2015, 02:56 PM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,446 Joined: 29-May 03 From: Los Altos, CA Member No.: 750 |
For AX I really like my 13" wheels. The smaller diameter drops the car 1.5" so the suspension can run closer to design points. I dropped about 80# of unsprung wt between smaller rotors, Willwood calipers, 13" wheels and tires! Also, I'm finding that 13" tires are about $100 cheaper per tire (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) FWIW (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Bill is right. Regardless of the venue you/re running, unsprung weight is critical. The lighter the wheel, tire and brake combinations you create the better. Also don't forget tire height, i.e., why would you be running (15") 23" high slicks in the front, when 21.5" height tires are available? |
Borderline |
Sep 25 2015, 05:57 PM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 720 Joined: 8-February 05 From: San Juan Bautista, CA Member No.: 3,577 Region Association: Northern California |
For AX I really like my 13" wheels. The smaller diameter drops the car 1.5" so the suspension can run closer to design points. I dropped about 80# of unsprung wt between smaller rotors, Willwood calipers, 13" wheels and tires! Also, I'm finding that 13" tires are about $100 cheaper per tire (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) FWIW (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Bill is right. Regardless of the venue you/re running, unsprung weight is critical. The lighter the wheel, tire and brake combinations you create the better. Also don't forget tire height, i.e., why would you be running (15") 23" high slicks in the front, when 21.5" height tires are available? The Avons that are on the car right now are 20" in diameter. I really like that I can put 15" street tires on the car for driving on the street and it raises the car up 1.5" for extra clearance and then the slicks lower it down for competition. Also the shorter tire allows me to start the AX run in 2nd gear helping to save the tranny. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) It was a lot of work, but I'm glad i spent the time to do it. |
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