18" vs 20"
09-20-2013, 12:22 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Canada, Montreal
Posts: 648
18" vs 20"
What you guys opinions on rolling with 18" vs 20"?
In term of performance lost? I have 2013 5.0 with steeda cold air and steeda tune, the car run great with the 18" 235-50-18
Pirreli scorpion, but i hate the look the tire look small and they stick inside etc,
I wanted 19" but got a crazy deal on a stagger setup look-a-like amr rims in gun metal, ill be running 245-35-20 and 285-30-20 on a 8.5" and 9.5"
What do i need to expect? I do plan to drag and ill use my 18" drag radial but will keep the 20" upfront, what you guys think? I love the "go and show" mixed look. And my stock 18" rims realy werent my cup of tea, i just dont want to regret goin with 20" and not even able to tear the street with smoke and power '
In term of performance lost? I have 2013 5.0 with steeda cold air and steeda tune, the car run great with the 18" 235-50-18
Pirreli scorpion, but i hate the look the tire look small and they stick inside etc,
I wanted 19" but got a crazy deal on a stagger setup look-a-like amr rims in gun metal, ill be running 245-35-20 and 285-30-20 on a 8.5" and 9.5"
What do i need to expect? I do plan to drag and ill use my 18" drag radial but will keep the 20" upfront, what you guys think? I love the "go and show" mixed look. And my stock 18" rims realy werent my cup of tea, i just dont want to regret goin with 20" and not even able to tear the street with smoke and power '
Last edited by mighted1987; 09-20-2013 at 12:24 AM.
09-20-2013, 12:51 AM
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 874
You're going to get a variety of opinions and feedback. There's a thread in the general section already about driving on 20s that might help you. I love my 18s, check out my profile if you want to see them. They are 18x9.5" with 275 Nittos on all four corners.
Since you did ask for opinions though, here's mine
I chose 18s because they are better for handling at the limit. They offer some warning before they let go, unlike something bigger, which will offer no warning before they lose traction. My 18s are lighter than comparable wheels as well. They also clear my Brembos. A wheel with a bigger diameter (where more of the weight is toward the outside of the wheel) is going to take more effort to turn than a smaller diameter wheel. Since you are drag racing, I'm just going to go ahead and say that I don't think you should have 20s on the car, period. There are folks who successfully drag race on their big wheels, but I think they would be even more successful with smaller ones. If you don't want the wheels inside the fender, you need to look at the offset. That'll determine how far out they stick.
Frankly the little rubber bands on 20s just look wrong on American muscle (in my opinion). I am in the boat that anything bigger just look like wagon wheels and that you are all show and no go.
For reference, Ford equips their race cars (such as the Boss 302S and 302R or FR500C) with 18s. Some people think that just because a GT500 or Boss 302 comes off the factory floor with 19s or 20s, that must mean that's the best choice, and that is simply not true.
At the end of the day though, the only real thing that matters is what YOU want and everyone else be damned.
Since you did ask for opinions though, here's mine
I chose 18s because they are better for handling at the limit. They offer some warning before they let go, unlike something bigger, which will offer no warning before they lose traction. My 18s are lighter than comparable wheels as well. They also clear my Brembos. A wheel with a bigger diameter (where more of the weight is toward the outside of the wheel) is going to take more effort to turn than a smaller diameter wheel. Since you are drag racing, I'm just going to go ahead and say that I don't think you should have 20s on the car, period. There are folks who successfully drag race on their big wheels, but I think they would be even more successful with smaller ones. If you don't want the wheels inside the fender, you need to look at the offset. That'll determine how far out they stick.Frankly the little rubber bands on 20s just look wrong on American muscle (in my opinion). I am in the boat that anything bigger just look like wagon wheels and that you are all show and no go.
For reference, Ford equips their race cars (such as the Boss 302S and 302R or FR500C) with 18s. Some people think that just because a GT500 or Boss 302 comes off the factory floor with 19s or 20s, that must mean that's the best choice, and that is simply not true.
At the end of the day though, the only real thing that matters is what YOU want and everyone else be damned.
Last edited by CMcNam; 09-20-2013 at 12:55 AM.
09-20-2013, 08:57 AM
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: state of confusion
Posts: 7,635
18's should also be a little better at street launches, as there will be a little more sidewall to absorb "shock". This is of more importance with a manual transmission, but it doesn't go away entirely if it's the automatic that you have.
18's will certainly ride a little better, at least if you compare 18's and 20's of the same tire make and model. And you'll be less likely to suffer pinch-flats (I had a neighbor who never did manage to learn this, no matter how many times his "I'm-not-round-today" tires tried to tell him).
I suspect that once the sidewall height calculated from tire OD and wheel size drops much below about 4" (100 mm), you're starting to give away useable street performance. R-compound track tires and drag radials that are built with hard use the primary (only?) focus may be an exception to that admittedly rough guideline, but then again you need to modify the suspension to take full advantage of R-comp capabilities and you really shouldn't waste your DR's grip cruising around on the street.
Norm
18's will certainly ride a little better, at least if you compare 18's and 20's of the same tire make and model. And you'll be less likely to suffer pinch-flats (I had a neighbor who never did manage to learn this, no matter how many times his "I'm-not-round-today" tires tried to tell him).
I suspect that once the sidewall height calculated from tire OD and wheel size drops much below about 4" (100 mm), you're starting to give away useable street performance. R-compound track tires and drag radials that are built with hard use the primary (only?) focus may be an exception to that admittedly rough guideline, but then again you need to modify the suspension to take full advantage of R-comp capabilities and you really shouldn't waste your DR's grip cruising around on the street.
Norm
Last edited by Norm Peterson; 09-20-2013 at 09:00 AM.
09-20-2013, 10:17 AM
#5
6th Gear Member
+1
I'm big on the retro look of these cars and a good bit of sidewall is my preference to retain that retro look. I prefer the 255/55's on my wife's 17" Pony's Bullitt wheels over the 275/40's on my 18" GT500 takeoffs. To me, cars with big wheels and rubber band tires look like clown cars. Not too many S197's pull it off WELL.
Although 20's will add rotational mass, you'll likely barely notice it with the 5.0. And depending on the tire, you WILL most likely feel a loss in ride quality. Hit some bad potholes and kiss a wheel goodbye.
It's all personal preference.
I'm big on the retro look of these cars and a good bit of sidewall is my preference to retain that retro look. I prefer the 255/55's on my wife's 17" Pony's Bullitt wheels over the 275/40's on my 18" GT500 takeoffs. To me, cars with big wheels and rubber band tires look like clown cars. Not too many S197's pull it off WELL.
Although 20's will add rotational mass, you'll likely barely notice it with the 5.0. And depending on the tire, you WILL most likely feel a loss in ride quality. Hit some bad potholes and kiss a wheel goodbye.
It's all personal preference.
09-20-2013, 12:49 PM
#7
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 977
If you're going for performance get 18"s
If you're going for looks and don't care about performance get 20"s
18"s will give you a smoother ride, better traction, and less rotational mass. I noticed a difference in the amount of effort it took to move my gt when I had the stock 18" wheels and when I upgraded to the 20"s
If you're going for looks and don't care about performance get 20"s
18"s will give you a smoother ride, better traction, and less rotational mass. I noticed a difference in the amount of effort it took to move my gt when I had the stock 18" wheels and when I upgraded to the 20"s
09-20-2013, 01:19 PM
#8
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Canada, Montreal
Posts: 648
Yah i already ordered ill give them a try. And put my 18" dr when i hit the drag, if i dont like how the car react with the 20" ill definitly remove and sell the kit. The price i paid should really be easy to re-sell
Ill post picture today
Btw car is a stick with a 3.55
Ill post picture today
Btw car is a stick with a 3.55
Last edited by mighted1987; 09-20-2013 at 01:23 PM.
09-20-2013, 06:32 PM
#9
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Location: DC
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