Tire performance 16" vs 17"

[turbotalon1g]

What are the pros and cons of going 17" from 16"?

specifically from 225/50/16 to 235/45/17.

I am comparing the wheel/tire choices I have for my car a stock wheel vs. a 17x8 wheel.

From what I think I know, the 17s being a lower profile tire and taller will give me a little more gear but a lot better handing with stiffer sidewalls, this will also lower the ride quality however.

I want to go stock wheels my wife wants me to keep my wheels.

Thanks for the help guys, oh and I have the VR4 brakes to fit under the 17s so thats covered too.

Aaron

[Matt D.]

Are you talking straight line performance or cornering?

[turbotalon1g]

I apologize, I am talking for a street car. I drive an average of 15k in a summer, a lot of cruising, a bit of drag and a bit of street.

I want to take up more "talented" type stuff like auto-x, road racing, etc. But who knows if that will happen.

From what I understand, the stiffer sidewall will be good for handling and the softer taller sidewall will be good for drag.

[123abc]

Since you do a lot of street driving, I'd go with the 16 in. rim. Softer ride, better for drag, and still do decent around corners.

However, if you have VR4 brakes, you're stuck with 17's I think.

[sleepydsm]

17" wheels and tires are cheap these days. Why even bother with the 16s?

[turbotalon1g]

Was thinking about losing some weight, but so far sticking with the 17s seems to be the best all rounder for a mild street car.

[Matt D.]

To be honest, the 255/40/17 that I have now (Kumho XS) on a 17x9 wheel ride better than a 235/45/17 (Dunlop Z1) did on the stock 17x8 wheel.

The more rubber you have on the pavement the better the car will go around corners, more so for width than diameter. An 18" tire will have more rubber than a 17", but that doesn't mean it's always best. If you want performance I'd go with a 17" wheel and never look back. If you are concerned about the ride quality differences between a 16" and 17" high performance tire when you're splitting hairs at that point.

[turbotalon1g]

Cool, I'm sticking with the 17s then, plus i already have them.