racing with 15s vs 16s
08-29-2002, 01:10 PM
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racing with 15s vs 16s
i currently got stock 15s with 195 55 15 tires. (crappy tires) 
i was thinkin about goin to 16s with 205 45 16 tires. my predicament is... will it worsen the traction problems i already have now? minor wheel hop and mainly tire spin. the tire is wider, yet skinnier... so im havin doubts about goin to 16s. 16s just look better. anyone go from 15s to 16s and find it a good thing, rather than a bad thing? ive heard a few people go from 17s to 16s... and now wantin to go back to 15s.
i was thinkin about goin to 16s with 205 45 16 tires. my predicament is... will it worsen the traction problems i already have now? minor wheel hop and mainly tire spin. the tire is wider, yet skinnier... so im havin doubts about goin to 16s. 16s just look better. anyone go from 15s to 16s and find it a good thing, rather than a bad thing? ive heard a few people go from 17s to 16s... and now wantin to go back to 15s.
08-29-2002, 01:54 PM
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Re: racing with 15s vs 16s (dlplayboy)
That is the exact problem that I am faced with. I have the stock 15s as well and I was thinking about getting some new Slip Streams - I just don't know what size, 15 vs 16.
I want to go 15's because they are cheaper and wrap them with some good tires, but my thinking is that a lighter wheel will amplify the wheel spin, right?
WHAT TO DO! Will 16 really make that much of a difference if they are slip streams?
Dave
I want to go 15's because they are cheaper and wrap them with some good tires, but my thinking is that a lighter wheel will amplify the wheel spin, right?
WHAT TO DO! Will 16 really make that much of a difference if they are slip streams?
Dave
08-29-2002, 10:38 PM
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Re: racing with 15s vs 16s (dlplayboy)
I went from 15's to 17's and it more appealing to the eye for daily driving. As far as racing goes, shorter was better. If I'm looking to race someone, I'd prefer it would be on the 15's with sticky tires. The bigger rims didn't help much, if any, with my traction problems. Seemed to me the increased weight and size just slowed me down quite a bit. Once I get traction it just seems to sandbag after that point.
But, like I said the 17's look soo much nicer and that's why I'm on them daily.
But, like I said the 17's look soo much nicer and that's why I'm on them daily.
08-29-2002, 11:07 PM
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Re: racing with 15s vs 16s (dlplayboy)
well i went from 17's to 15's and I think it was the smartest thing ive ever done. I ran a 14.2 on my 17's when i went to the track and the next time I went with the 15's i hit a 13.6, alot of that was the drag radials too but the gearing definitly helped me out alot too. U just need to put some 205/50/15 Azenis on there like we discussed and u will b alot happier. I think 16's are the best rim for someone who wants a compromise between looks and speed.
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08-30-2002, 01:32 AM
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Re: racing with 15s vs 16s (DIRep972)
well i went from 17's to 15's and I think it was the smartest thing ive ever done. I ran a 14.2 on my 17's when i went to the track and the next time I went with the 15's i hit a 13.6, alot of that was the drag radials too but the gearing definitly helped me out alot too. U just need to put some 205/50/15 Azenis on there like we discussed and u will b alot happier. I think 16's are the best rim for someone who wants a compromise between looks and speed.
08-31-2002, 09:53 AM
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Re: racing with 15s vs 16s (wonny)
16's are a good compromise, but as far as the brands of rims I liked 17's had a bigger selection. Just something to think about while shopping.
08-31-2002, 10:39 AM
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Re: racing with 15s vs 16s
Like DIRep said, 16" is a compromise. To make the difference even more slight, go with very lightweight 16's if you can afford it.
It's not the size issue mostly of going from 15 to 16, 195/55/15 to 205/45/16, but rather the type of tire you use that is very important . Put on something really sticky like a Falken Azenis, Bridgestone S03 Pole Position (very expensive), or a BFG or Nitto drag radial, and your traction problems will be much lessened.
Also, maybe you were thinking that the 16" tire has a much smaller sidewall because you are comparing the middle number 45 vs. 55 of the 15". Well when you work it out, you are comparing 3.63" to 4.22", about a half an inch. Newer tires these days are designed to have stiff sidewalls, so don't necessarily assume that having a taller sidewall will help you gain traction (perhaps thinking of the "wrinkle" idea of a slick). All that's going to happen really is that you will get better handling with the 16", along with having a better contact patch.
It's not the size issue mostly of going from 15 to 16, 195/55/15 to 205/45/16, but rather the type of tire you use that is very important . Put on something really sticky like a Falken Azenis, Bridgestone S03 Pole Position (very expensive), or a BFG or Nitto drag radial, and your traction problems will be much lessened.
Also, maybe you were thinking that the 16" tire has a much smaller sidewall because you are comparing the middle number 45 vs. 55 of the 15". Well when you work it out, you are comparing 3.63" to 4.22", about a half an inch. Newer tires these days are designed to have stiff sidewalls, so don't necessarily assume that having a taller sidewall will help you gain traction (perhaps thinking of the "wrinkle" idea of a slick). All that's going to happen really is that you will get better handling with the 16", along with having a better contact patch.
09-02-2002, 08:19 AM
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Re: racing with 15s vs 16s (degradated)
Contrare!
195/50/15 S-03's are $79 a pop from Tire Rack right now!
205/50/15 S-03's are only $110!
Including 2 day shipping, I got my 195's for my new Rota's for 340! Rock on TireRack.com!
195/50/15 S-03's are $79 a pop from Tire Rack right now!
205/50/15 S-03's are only $110!
Including 2 day shipping, I got my 195's for my new Rota's for 340! Rock on TireRack.com!
09-02-2002, 02:38 PM
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Re: racing with 15s vs 16s (dlplayboy)
Another thing to consider is if you ever plan on upgrading your brakes? I don't think you'll find many upgraded pistons and rotors that will fit onto 15's. But they will fit 16's. 17's is way too big!
11-23-2002, 03:41 PM
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Re: racing with 15s vs 16s (dlplayboy)
I have been stuck between 15" or 16" / Gunmetal or bronze / Rota C8's or Konig Heliums......
I just want to make a f**kin' decision
I think I want 16's since you get looks and still performance.....
I just want to make a f**kin' decision
I think I want 16's since you get looks and still performance.....
11-25-2002, 10:16 AM
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Re: racing with 15s vs 16s (AresB18C1Turbo)
my plan is to get some nice big 18's with 225/40 tires on em. the extra weight and much wider tire should help with traction a little. Plus they will look sweet. Its not like any street tire will take any serious abuse without spinning.