im looking for performance (not bling) and i decided on 265 35 18 but i cant decide on getting 18x9 or 9.5?? im thinking 18x9 because its lighter? any benifits of going 9.5? better traction?

(fyi the 8 will be dropped about 1.3 on coilovers)

 

Right, because rim weight is determined by the size huh? Why don't you read the sticky threads and educate yourself instead of asking ridiculous questions? If you are looking for performance then you should have left it stock.

 

it would be nice if the links i wanted to read worked ..... but thanks

 

Just get 9.5. It will be easier to sell afterwards and looks better. The difference in weight is minimal

 

So are you saying that two wheels of identical manufacture, diameter and offset but 1 inch difference in width weigh the same?

Are you also saying that the oem wheel size is better for performance than any other size?

 

No I am saying that a wheels diameter and width alone do not determine the weight of the wheel. And a wheel that is a 18" x 9" could be a heavy POS and weigh considerably more than 19" racing wheel.

And yes the OEM wheel is better performing wheel than most of the aftermarket junk wheels. It is properly sized for the RX-8, and is fairly light and strong. Track guys regularly run 275/40-18's and 285/40-18's on them.

He is asking about the weight difference between a 9" and 9.5" width wheel without referring to a specific wheel and it's offset so I have to assume it was a general question. Also, he has decided on a tire size before rims but yet doesn't mention the specific tire. I doubt he knows that one 265/35-18 tire will weigh more than another and often they weigh as much or more than the rim in use.

But had he read and done his homework he would know this already. But yet he is looking for performance. If he wants performance the best thing to do would be to buy decent tires, leave it stock, and attend some HPDE's.

 

Those are some tall *** tires 9k. I thought racers used shorter than stock tires lol

 

Well maybe it's 275/30, 285/30, I don't recall exactly but as you know, my point is that you can get lots of grip on the factory 18 x 8's.

 

Sure but a wider wheel will make better use of that wide tread width.

As long as you don't buy **** wheels that weigh a ton.

 

Provided the rest of the car (tires, suspension, etc.) is set up,tuned, and driven properly, yes I would agree. But in this case, having a wider wheel will result in zero increase in performance. Cars that are truly performance oriented and well thought out are all about the details. But of course nothing is better than the driver mod. I have seen bone stock RX-8's trounce Z06's, 911's, etc. on an autox course.

 

Too true.

 

Driver mod I've never heard that before.


How true that is though. I've passed many a 911, M3, and Corvette myself on an HPDE circuit while stock

 

That was my reasoning for sticking with the OEM wheels - though I did have them powdercoated.