RIM theory and ?
09-20-2008, 02:04 AM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: TX
Posts: 355
RIM theory and ?
OK , NOT to break any trends set at this forum but I am shopping for a 05 v6 mustang at the time . my ? is on a stock 05 , how much space is between the inner diameter of the rim and the edge or the brake caliper . this may sound strange but I want to down size my rim instead of plus sizing .
NO!! IT'S NOT A LOW RIDER
I might as well explain my theory now.
A smaller diameter rim usually weighs less , has less rotating mass and with a low profile racing tire not only is the gear ratio more sporty but the car will have a lower center of gravity for cornering . plus 17 inch tires cost more than 13s or 14s x 9 RCompound
all comments welcome to spark my brain storming ...
NO!! IT'S NOT A LOW RIDER
I might as well explain my theory now.
A smaller diameter rim usually weighs less , has less rotating mass and with a low profile racing tire not only is the gear ratio more sporty but the car will have a lower center of gravity for cornering . plus 17 inch tires cost more than 13s or 14s x 9 RCompound
all comments welcome to spark my brain storming ...
09-20-2008, 03:49 AM
#2
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 847
I think it will look horrible with wheels that small...
performance gains or not I don't think its worth sacrificing the appearance
16" minimum... but 13" or 14"?
performance gains or not I don't think its worth sacrificing the appearance
16" minimum... but 13" or 14"?
Last edited by project85; 09-20-2008 at 05:32 PM.
09-20-2008, 10:53 AM
#4
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 396
Some things to consider:
1. As others stated, your wheels will look really weird on the street with lots of gap in the wheel wells (but if you don't care about it than it's ok)
2. With what your thinking, your probably gonna need a tuner to fix your speedometer and engine rpm's.
3. With that said, unless your running a tall tire, your engine rpms on the highway will be noticably higher I am sure negating the gains you would get with the weight off the wheels (highway mileage will probably stay the same, city mileage you should gain on).
4. With wide enough tires you will have better cornering/handling and obviously you should have better city mpg.
5. If hitting the track your et should drop a couple tenths.
6. Almost forgot, you know you have to find the right spacing and other specs to have them fit this car. Doing this, I'm sure your wheels/tires combo will run over $1k and you have to decide is the money worth the gain. IMO, if your looking for better mpg, look into other things like economy tune/cai or k&n filter or aluminum driveshaft which should net the same performance gains about and give you about +.5mpg, free-flowing/lighter axelback, or lightweight suspension/chassis parts which are usually stronger, etc. If you are looking for a better handling car, I would just suggest starting with some good sway bars, maybe some springs/shocks or coilovers, or 17" rims with wide sticky tires which would probably be a lot cheaper than lightweight rims.
It's not a bad idea, but you have to weigh the pluses and minuses and decide what you want to do and what are your goals.
1. As others stated, your wheels will look really weird on the street with lots of gap in the wheel wells (but if you don't care about it than it's ok)
2. With what your thinking, your probably gonna need a tuner to fix your speedometer and engine rpm's.
3. With that said, unless your running a tall tire, your engine rpms on the highway will be noticably higher I am sure negating the gains you would get with the weight off the wheels (highway mileage will probably stay the same, city mileage you should gain on).
4. With wide enough tires you will have better cornering/handling and obviously you should have better city mpg.
5. If hitting the track your et should drop a couple tenths.
6. Almost forgot, you know you have to find the right spacing and other specs to have them fit this car. Doing this, I'm sure your wheels/tires combo will run over $1k and you have to decide is the money worth the gain. IMO, if your looking for better mpg, look into other things like economy tune/cai or k&n filter or aluminum driveshaft which should net the same performance gains about and give you about +.5mpg, free-flowing/lighter axelback, or lightweight suspension/chassis parts which are usually stronger, etc. If you are looking for a better handling car, I would just suggest starting with some good sway bars, maybe some springs/shocks or coilovers, or 17" rims with wide sticky tires which would probably be a lot cheaper than lightweight rims.
It's not a bad idea, but you have to weigh the pluses and minuses and decide what you want to do and what are your goals.
09-20-2008, 12:09 PM
#7
Cut & Paste Expert
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 13,322
I have heard of 15" WeldWheels being installed for drag stipping.
There is not much room with V6 brakes and the OEM 16x7" wheel.
And with GT brakes, you cant run the 16x7" OEM rim but have to
run the larger 17x8 or 18x8.8" OEM rims to clear the GT caliper.
So if you want to run the smallest available rims, the first step is
to remove the GT rotors and GT brake caliper mounting brackets,
package them up and mail them to me. Then install the V6 caliper
mounting bracket and V6 rotors. Now you might have a chance on
putting those smaller, lighter and cheaper rims/tires. Take a trip
to your local stealership and see rim/brake gap for yourself.
There is not much room with V6 brakes and the OEM 16x7" wheel.
And with GT brakes, you cant run the 16x7" OEM rim but have to
run the larger 17x8 or 18x8.8" OEM rims to clear the GT caliper.
So if you want to run the smallest available rims, the first step is
to remove the GT rotors and GT brake caliper mounting brackets,
package them up and mail them to me. Then install the V6 caliper
mounting bracket and V6 rotors. Now you might have a chance on
putting those smaller, lighter and cheaper rims/tires. Take a trip
to your local stealership and see rim/brake gap for yourself.
09-20-2008, 12:42 PM
#9
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: TX
Posts: 355
15'' would be good because 15'' tires are cheap compared to 17'',18'',or 20s.
I mean with me on a budget and all. I could get a few inches wider rim than stock and stay within my budget in the long term . The budget Is one of the main reasons I am looking at the v6 in the first place.
Its also good to know that v6 wheels will not fit a GT I did not realize that . I assume that if I go to 15''s on a v6 They will have to be steel not aluminum as steel is thinner to allow for more room.
14" and 13" may be impossible .
I mean with me on a budget and all. I could get a few inches wider rim than stock and stay within my budget in the long term . The budget Is one of the main reasons I am looking at the v6 in the first place.
Its also good to know that v6 wheels will not fit a GT I did not realize that . I assume that if I go to 15''s on a v6 They will have to be steel not aluminum as steel is thinner to allow for more room.
14" and 13" may be impossible .
09-20-2008, 12:47 PM
#10
Cut & Paste Expert
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 13,322
15'' would be good because 15'' tires are cheap compared to 17'',18'',or 20s.
I mean with me on a budget and all. I could get a few inches wider rim than stock and stay within my budget in the long term . The budget Is one of the main reasons I am looking at the v6 in the first place.
Its also good to know that v6 wheels will not fit a GT I did not realize that . I assume that if I go to 15''s on a v6 They will have to be steel not aluminum as steel is thinner to allow for more room.
14" and 13" may be impossible .
I mean with me on a budget and all. I could get a few inches wider rim than stock and stay within my budget in the long term . The budget Is one of the main reasons I am looking at the v6 in the first place.
Its also good to know that v6 wheels will not fit a GT I did not realize that . I assume that if I go to 15''s on a v6 They will have to be steel not aluminum as steel is thinner to allow for more room.
14" and 13" may be impossible .
you can get 16" OEM rims with new OEM tires on them
all day long for cheap on the eBay.
I have two sets. Want a set for $200 + S/H?
2 words. Craigs List.