lbrowne

I have 18" Fittipaldi Tubolares, how much are these rims slowing me down compared to my stocker 16" pontiac rims?

Regardless of times, what would one expect? Certainly not a .5 difference or anything right? Or am I wrong?

The reason being is, I was going to get drag radials for my stocker rims but now I'm thinking of just getting DRs for my 18s....

Any help?

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teke184

probably a tenth

the way they really hurt you is in launching. not sure if DR will help much..but they sure won't hurt

RUFST

I'm kind of wondering the same....not so much in dragging b/c i'll use my dr's but just overall. Do they gear the car a little higher or something. B/c my buddy's cobra that has 4.10's and during the winter he puts on his original 17's compared to his 18 cobra R's and it seems alot diff. maybe it's in my head

lbrowne

I think if you use the proper rim/tire size combo there shouldn't be a difference....I would think.

zx1216

when you run the 18 inch combo the tires should be lower profile so the rolling diameter should be very simulas, the extra rotating mass of the bigger wheels may be slowing you down a bit tho.

Scotts94z28

Their is no difference between 16, 17, 18 inch rims so long as the outside diameter of the tire does not change. Not in gear ratio, you could run 14's or 20's, so long as the outside diameter of the tire is the same, nothing has changed in your gear ratio.

lbrowne

Thats what I thought.

So I shouldn't really bother getting DRs for my 16s, just get them for my 18s?

IRONFIST

Well, your gear ratio won't change, but you will still have more mass further from the center of your wheel.. and more rotating mass in general. That might slow you down a bit.

lbrowne

Not worth going back to my 16s when I go to the track though?

I think I just might weigh the both of them....

kingman109

18's are a b*tch to launch-

granted im running a 40 sidewall which makes them bigger than 16's would be- but im sorry there is a big difference in launching an 18" rim-


why not just get slicks for the 16's and use them at track- see a hell of a big difference then

fstenuf

Ya from what I have heard it is harder to launch a larger diameter wheel becuase the sidewall of the tire is then smaller so your 60ft times will probably be hurt due to a bad launch. If i were you I'd get the DR's for your 16's and use your stock rims for the track. Just my .02

Jay-Roll

I bet you would definately see an improved launch with your 16's and DR's. Might only drop a tenth or two, but every bit counts. Is your car an A4 or M6? If it's a stick you could also come out of the hole harder which would of course help. Just be careful of your rear. If it's an auto, I don't think you'd see too substantial of a difference in comparison, well until your performance started to exceed the limit of the street tires on your 18's. But that's when sticky tires help everyone.

lbrowne

Whats my best option for a my 16s? I had Kumho 255 50s on em before I took them off.

I've seen that Nittos are a popular choice among f-body folks.

Jay-Roll

If your looking for DR's the widest your going to be able to go is 255 like your kumhos. The height I'm not certain of, but I do know going any different than the 50 series is going to alter your gear ratio and your speedo. I personally would stick with that. Yes Nitto's are a popular choice and also BFG's and I think Wal-Mart has a DR out on the market now as well. Those are about your only choices.

lbrowne

Walmart has a DR out?!?!

Does it say WALMART on the sidewall?