I went ahead and ordered the Steeda Ultra-Lite Silvers - Set of 4 for $800. Now to get a set of Nitto 01's 275/35/18 for all four. Been through 2 sets of street tires so far.

When going from a 17" rim to an 18" rim is there anything else I should worry about needing to upgrade? This is the first aftermarket pair of rims I have purchased.

 

In the NT01, you could consider 275/40/18. It's a new size I've seen advertised over the past year. Perfect diameter for S197's unless you have a reason to shorten the overall gearing and stiffen up the sidewall with the 35 series.

 

Oh wow, sure enough they do, I wonder why steeda doesn't offer that tire? Oh well. By shorten the gearing I am guessing you mean by going with the 35's the tires overall height when mounted would be shorter than the stock rims with street tires and therefore throw off gear rotation compared to speed right? So going with the 40's would keep it all correct?

 

In Canada Steeda do offer the 275/40/18 Nitto NT01 and as it is 26.65 inches dia (stock is 27.00) it is the one I plan to use next season if I go to R comps. It also fits nicely on my Steeda 18 x 9.5 Ultra Lites.

 

So basically, the 35's will throw my gear/speedo off so I should go with the 40's to have the same height/rotation. Cool! You learn more and more every day.

 

I hate to keep pimping these things but Enkei RPF1 are available in 18x9.5 and are only 18.6 pounds. 17.9 are 15.5 pounds.

$260 each though.

 

Oh well, I already purchase the Steeda set. Plus I saved $240. I can put that into a rear and front strut brace.

 

And when you rash one...because you WILL eventually rash one, a $200 wheel is easy to replace. I like the ultralight I's. I'll probably go to those over my currect ultralight II's at some point. Steeda is tight-lipped on wheel weight but word is the ultralight I's are 3-4 lbs lighter per wheel than the II's (22-23 vs. 26#'s ea). You made a good choice.

 

I think they are ~21.6 lbs each. Now I just need the rubber to wrap them in, another $1k hehe.

 

yeah, t'aint cheap . at least you're doing it right the first time so thats a plus.