If I was smart im sure I could figure this out on my own but im not. Just wondering what type of effect in acceleration I would see going from 16 to 18s (I have 2.73 gears if that plays as big as a role as i think its going to). Also Im afraid I am getting 18s for the wrong reasons as in i hate how small my whels look now in comparison to the rest of the car. I like the wheels i have now but they just look so small and have so much rubber rapped around them and look tiny in the wheel wells. would I be better off buying 17s and springs to lower it an inch or so? Which would be best for performance?

I know thats a lot but I would really appreciate some help from someone that knows what they are talking about.

(I posted this in wheels and tires also but was afraid I would not get the info im looking for as far as tech goes.)

 

Id worry about getting rid of those crappy gears first....18's wont hurt any performance unless you lookin to get serious w/ the drag racing(serious hp)...as far as around the street not enough to notice if at all

 

18's are nice- but very hard to launch at track - go 17's and if u want lower then get lowering springs- as for acceleration- wont change as long as u get and equivalent size sidewall to compensate

 

I noticed a definite slight loss in acceleration going from stock salad shooters to 17 x 9.5s due to the increased weight of the bigger wheels and tires.

 

handling is better

 

Handling is better, due to less side wall flex, but due to higher inertial losses from bigger rims, you will lose more hp from larger wheels.

 

thats why you get some fikse or other racing rim that is super light

 

I would bet the advantage is negated in situations where the wheel/tire combo is heavier overall = more unsprung weight.