PUR NRG

I'm not sure if it's fair to compare new Potenzas to old Trampios--not only do you have different rubber compounds but the older tires have gone through more heat cycles, simple age, etc. But hopefully this is what JO8 is looking for.

crossbow

Pur,

The trampios were on the rx7 rims. If anything that was an additional disadvantage towards the smaller wheels. The trampios were quite old, and quite outdated (The compound felt like a rock), vs the rx8 potenza's with about 5-8k miles on them. But your right, there are a bunch of variables involved...but this is at least an example done by local mazda guys.

Having autocrossed in a 6 with a variety of wheel and tire sizes, I'd have to say going from a set of 18x8's, to a set of lighter 16x8's (12-15 lb a corner drop off) is roughly equivilant to going from a maxima to a miata in terms of vehicle agility and nimbleness. Then of course I know I don't have to tell you that .

scottmhr1

Has been a funny thread. Beside the obvious argument of the bigger wheels not making a difference, (not gonna mention the ugly factor on the pics) but also comments like my wider tires give better bad weather handling, This has been a thread littered with ignorance. I guess the best comment was from JO (lol, he named himself that, like it wasn't obvious) that others in school must say something about the car. Kinda takes the fun out of everyone arguing with a kid still in school But he did ask for it.

JO8

haha. Page 7.

oh oh guys, you're so entertaining, and it's free.

I think i didn't made myself clear (my bad. English is not my first language.)

Ok, please read this carefully:

1. I KNOW that 20's cannot be better in term of performance that lighter wheels. I'm not stupid and i know that lighter is the vehicule, better is. I used to made montain bike competitions, and a Titanium bike weighting 21lbs is way better than a 30lbs bike. Difference is HUGE when climbing.

2. BUT (and please pay attention) i'm not convinced that 20's will ruin de ride. In any way. This mean that i don't give a S**T if i lose 0.1 seconds on 0-60 mph. My car is still fast enough to get speeding ticket, and the bracking is excellent and beyond most cars allowed on the road.

3. You guys are plain maniacs about performance ? You absolutely want to get the most feeling for your bucks ? ...And still playin' around with this MAZDA (it's a Mazda, did you noticed it ? Mazda doesn't spell F-E-R-R-A-R-I) ? Hey...c'mon. Save your bucks and buy yourself a Suzuki GSXR 1300. You'll know what real feeling is.

4. Please don't bother me with tiny-stupid differences as "0-60 mph in 6.1 sec" compared to "0-60 mph in 6.3 sec". Anything above 5 seconds it's just....a daily driver.

5. I didn't measured the differences. Anyway, i don't care. What is important it's the feeling i have when i'm sitting in the car. I FEEL that i didn't lose enough of "performance" to put back the 18's stockers. PERIOD.

6. I still want to be in your picky club. Please don't ban me.

crossbow

J08,

It was 0.536 seconds in the 1/4 mile. (Were not talking 0-60 here) Thats roughly equivilant to 400-500 lbs off the car, or adding an additional 50 bhp. Ask Charles if he'd like another 0.5 seconds off his 1/4 mile time .

Its all there in the timing slips (You did ask for proof)...though thats a comparison between 16's and 18's. There are variances, but even if you threw out 50% of the difference, thats still a .25 second gain. Thats still pretty substaintal (your talking car lengths over a stock car).

The differences get larger the larger the diameter of the wheel. (The tire weight becomes more of a rotational intertia problem the farther its moved away from the hub).

I just think that its important to point out, that when everyone on the forum argues over the simple exhaust/intake bolt ones, and which one is best (revi and hymee!! ha!), were talking fractions of a difference compared to the effect of the wheels/tires on the car.

Dark8

Good thing you winked or we would think you are serious....

I have two sets of tires/wheels: My everyday 18" wheels with Avon 550s in 225/45, and my auto-x Kosei K1 TS 17" wheels with Kumho MXs in 255/40. The weight difference is around 8 lbs per tire/wheel combination. I also ride on TEIN Basic coilovers. Even my wife can tell the difference in ride quality. Sharp bumps are much less noticable with the lighter 17" setup even though the MXs have a stiffer sidewall then the 550s. I too would have been skepticle if I hadn't experienced the ride difference first hand.

So, you can be happy and go on believing what you want to while the rest of us continue to "give a S**T" about 60' times and slalom speeds. :p

PUR NRG

I think we can end this thread now; it's pretty much beaten to death. Can we all agree on the following three items?

• All other things being equal, larger rims have a negative effect on a car's overall performance.
• Some people can feel that loss of performance.
• JO8 can not.

I mentioned the theory behind the loss of performance. Crossbow provided time slips to back up the theory. Dark8 gave an example of people who can feel a difference and JO8 has repeatedly stated he can't.

Really that's all there is to say.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

has anyone noticed that EVERY post that JO8 has posted is in reference to 20" rims?

what does that tell ya.........oh right, that he thinks he's an expert.

JO8

You're all passionnate.

Beautiful to see.

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

I'm not sure what ignorance you speak of (aside from the obvious) but I went from narrow crappy uniroyal (ugh) tiger paws (195/70/15 on all 4 corners i think) to 225/40/18s on the front and 245/40/18s Michelin Pilots and I did feel a difference in handling with my 97 S10, they were substantially better in crappy weather compared to the stock tires that came with the vehicle, but maybe i'm not the one you're talking about?

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

does that website have anything for "Plagiarism"? :D

crossbow

You were seeing the benefit of a better tire compound, combined with a lower profile sidewall.

You would have seen the same or larger benefit had you instead moved to something like a 245/45/16, or 245/50/16. This also has the secondary benefit of massively reducing tire costs. (Allowing you to purchase awesome tires and replace them without worrying about $$).

JO8

No. Still alive, but you're welcome to move on.

You need others to get in your opinion team in order to validate...uhm..lets see... your ego ?


Oh yes. That being said. How much percent less ? Uh ? Can't remember... 2% or 5% less "overall performance" ?

Some people should take more time with their wife (or find one..), and less searching a way to get aerodynamic-lightweight valve cap on their car.



Ok, enough nasty words.

Guys... I must let you know sometin'.

There is 3 things very difficult to announce:

1. That you're in love with this independant next-door girl.

2. Broken up with the actual girlfriend to move next door.

3. Admit an error on an internet car club.


Guys. I must admit

I MADE AN ERROR.


It's a shame.

Completely hypnotised by the chrome of my 20's rims, when i did the comparison with my friend's stock RX-8, i didn't made it correctly. So i was completely misleaded and was just too happy to spread the world about my new discovery, so i didn't noticed that my friend's rx8 wasn't equal.

Handbrake was on.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

XDEEDUBBX

no matter what you say...your rims are ugly as hell!