I wanted to ask a question that has been with me for some time now. I have noticed that several Japanese tuners run 16" front wheels, and 15" rear wheels. What is the purpose of this?

Is it simply to fit larger brakes up front then a 15" rim would allow, or is there a benefit to running a larger wheel up front paired with a smaller wheel in the rear in terms of handling?

 

possibly to have a lower aspect ratio tire in the front and have more responsive steering?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fannymae &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wanted to ask a question that has been with me for some time now. I have noticed that several Japanese tuners run 16" front wheels, and 15" rear wheels. What is the purpose of this?

Is it simply to fit larger brakes up front then a 15" rim would allow, or is there a benefit to running a larger wheel up front paired with a smaller wheel in the rear in terms of handling?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Something to keep in mind is that the Japanese tend to configure their cars quite a bit differently than we do, and comparing a single difference is a wasted effort.

We run on less sticky tires, at higher ride heights, with softer springs, and a rear spring bias. They run stickier tires, lower, stiffer, and with a front bias. Alignment and tire sizing needs will be different for that different of a suspension setup.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TunerN00b &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Something to keep in mind is that the Japanese tend to configure their cars quite a bit differently than we do, and comparing a single difference is a wasted effort.

We run on less sticky tires, at higher ride heights, with softer springs, and a rear spring bias. They run stickier tires, lower, stiffer, and with a front bias. Alignment and tire sizing needs will be different for that different of a suspension setup.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks, but you kind of beat around the bush. Its obvious really that Japanese and American tuners don't quite share the same perspectives, so I suppose to heed any further argument, lets assume we are working on said "Japanese" setup with its stickier tires, lower ride height, and front bias spring.

Clearly the question still remains. WHY use a 16" rim in the front? What is the benefit?

You might be right, it may only suit the "Japanese" setup. But the question is why, and that is what I hope to understand. If its a simple matter of brake clearance, why not 16" in the rear as well?

Has me stumped.

I am thinking dfoxengr may be on to a piece of the puzzle.

 

well what I said is a valid reason.

 

Tyre roll...
A lower porfile tyre will have a more square shoulder compared to a higher profile.
Think about the effects on the tyres during cornering.

 

alittle late

 

Ever seen an F1 tyre?

 

yeah what about them?

their size is rules dictated. theyd run lower AR if they could.

 

I have a 16/15 combo on my car but its b/c the wheels I wanted were discontinued and there were only 2 15's and 2 16's available so i bought them anyway. I get a little more rotation in the rear with the 15's in the rear. I am running 205/45/16's and 205/50/15's. I am about to buy new suspension for my car b/c mine is worn out. I remember seeing the JACCS eg6 with 16's in the front, but it was a full blown race car.