Im looking at the performance aspect of these wheels:

15x8 15lbs
15x7 10lbs

Do i choose lighter vs wider for hpde?
Wheels will be going on a 97 civic hatchback. Thanks guys and gals!!

 

Id opt for the lighter and not sooo wide.
Not sure but the wider might require you to roll the fenders.
Others with wider wheels might have more insight on this though.
If this is for hpde run what you have on it now.

 

currently i have the ssr type c 15x7 which is the lighter wheel out of the 2...i've been looking it up trying to see if the 1 inch dif in width is worth the change.

 

Whats your experience level?
I dont think one inch in wheel size will benefit you much if you are only doing hpde.
If you go too wide you run into other rubbing issues.
But like i said I dont run a 8 inch wheel... (rules) prevent me. and I wouldnt know all there is to know about how a 8 inch wheel will fare on your car.

 

Figure out your tire size first, then figure out your wheel size. From my experience I like pick my tire size, then pick the most narrow wheel that will properly accommodate them.

245/40R17 on a 17x8
225/45R15 on a 15x7
205/50R15 on a 15x6

Generally having more sidewall flex reduces steering precision/reaction but increases overall grip and consistency. My 2 cents

 

If I were you I would use the 15x7 because you already own them. Until they start crowning HPDE champions the weight vs wide debate isn't really an issue.

I've done HPDEs on wheels from 6" to 7" wide and weighing up to 17lbs and I had the same amount of fun on all of them.

 

What tire size are you going to run? And how much lighter are the 8" wheels?

 

Sorry just saw the difference 20 lbs for all 4 in hpde, don't worry about it. Just run what u have.

 

Thanks guys!!!im cuurently using kumho xs 225/45/15 on my ssr but just pickd up a set of toyo r888 frm another post on here...i guess ill be sticking to my current set up.

 

Are you sure they are 225s? I don't think they are available in that size.

 

Hankook RS-3's are offered in 225/45R15. If it wasn't for the R888 sale that's what I was going to get next.

 

Sorry my mistake!!it was the 205/50/15 for the toyos..i wanted to get tge rs3 too but the toyos are such a good deal i couldnt pass itup!!

 

this.


and..

you still haven't answered the question. my guess is you don't have much, if any experience. if that is the case, i would highly advise you not to run the triple8s. but, i guess if they have been purchased, it is too late. you will learn more on a "lesser" tire where you will/might find the limits.

 

But that grip.

Run what you have, and if you need another set of tires grab another set of Kumho's as they tolerate heat well & are cheap.

 

..it seems endless!!!! lol.

 

I have done numerous autocross as well as hpde events..the 15x8 wheels have not been purchased,jst tires (toyo r888 in 205/50/15)...i am close if not at the limit of the grip on my current set up and thus why i am venturing out to the 15x8's...but i will continue to run these because of the tire sale..unless theres a set of 6ul thats too good to pass up.

 

Thats what a couple of my buddies are tellig me!!

 

you will get more out of tire width than rim width.