What kind of performance is lost when you get 18" rims instead of 17s???

Thanks

 

The 18's have a shorter sidewall and prevent really good launches. They also ride a little rougher and the price..........OUCH.

 

Everything in life is a trade-off. If you give up something, you're going to get something. A lot of people on this site will tell you not to go with 18's, for the reasons mentioned above.

Yes, a shorter sidewall isn't as good for dragstrip launches, but helps TREMENDOUSLY in daily cornering and scca solo II racing. I would much rather have the cornering ability. 18's don't prevent good launches, they just make them a little tougher(we're talking at the dragstrip). I have gotten 60' times under a second with 295/35/18's on the back. Another thing. -You don't let your tires dictate a car's ride, that's a job for the car's suspension. Meaning that if you put 18's on your car and it rides 'too rough', you need some new springs. 18's certainly look WAY better on mustangs than 17's. Another argument people will tell you is you loose hp with 18's. As long as the overall tire heighth is the same as stock, it will be no different.

 

You want to gain an inch widthwise, not in diameter.

 

You will lose a tiny bit of power, due to parasitic loss. Your moving the weight further out in diameter. Which takes a bit more power to get it going. Same thing with getting bigger brake rotors. Thats why upgrading to a lighter flywheel and clutch helps rev up your engine faster. Dont even think about that, its only a horse power or two nothing to be worried about. 18's are the way to go. Good luck.

 

an a$$ load i had 18x9 with 275 454 ON ALL 4 AND I COULDNT GET OUT THE HOLE FOR ****. I RACED A VETTE FROM 40 TO 85 AND HE PUT A LINK ON ME. I PUT 17X10.5 WITH 315. ILL TAKE A VETTE ANY DAY .