I'm thinking about replacing my ITR OEM 15" wheels with ITR JDM 16" wheels. I currently run Azenis 205/50/15 tires on my OEM wheels. How much is my straight lint acceleration and overall performance going to be affected if I go with the 16s ?? I know my handling should improve with the bigger wheels but I also do a lot of drag-racing and I don't want to loose my edge on that event either..

BTW: Will 16's roll just like my OEM suspension or am I going to have to mess with my suspension to lower the car so it doesn't get that SUV look with the 16's ??

Thanks !!

 

Depending on the tire - sidewalls will be stiffer due to their lower profile and thus handling will feel crisper......at the expense of some ride "comfort".

I doubt you will notice much performance difference. If you don't want to lose an advantage while drag racing - stick with the 15's. Your tire+rim weight will be lower and the taller sidewalls will help your launches.

You won't have to change anything regarding ride height - as long as you go with a tire that has a similar rolling circumference.

Use this to calculate tire equivalents:

http://miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

Jonathan, what's your experience? I think your experience would be a great input on this matter as you've used both 15" and 16" wheels on track condition (same manufacturer and same model). Would you say that one has a significant advantage over the other? Thanks.

-Sean

 

I haven't tried a 16" R compound yet due to expense and the fact that I had 2 sets of 15" R compounds I was trying to use up.

I like the 15"s for the track - not only because tires are cheaper - but you also get some rim protection - in case you go off track or even drop a tire.

I doubt there is a "significant" advantage between the two - that depends on too many factors like alignment, camber, total weight, cost, availability, and track conditions.

 

Why didn't the US ITR come with 16'' stock?
I thought someone told me the honda engineers couldn't get the same handling performance out of it with 16's, but thats probably not true.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why didn't the US ITR come with 16'' stock?
I thought someone told me the honda engineers couldn't get the same handling performance out of it with 16's, but thats probably not true.


</TD></TR></TABLE>

Prolly cause we got the 4.4 FD and cost related. Honda makes some funny decisions sometimes....

 

Ok ... I kind of expected this answer but, what is "significant" ?? I mean, if I currently run a 14.8 on the 1/4 mile, are the 16's going to turn that into a 15.00, 15.5, or what ?? Yes, I know this is probably not a palpable way to ask but I hope you get the idea behind my concern. Thanks for the info ...

 

I had 17 inch Volks on my car and it accelerated quicker corner'd better (To me). i had the best quarter mile times in that car with 17's as opposed to 15's.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iperez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ok ... I kind of expected this answer but, what is "significant" ?? I mean, if I currently run a 14.8 on the 1/4 mile, are the 16's going to turn that into a 15.00, 15.5, or what ?? Yes, I know this is probably not a palpable way to ask but I hope you get the idea behind my concern. Thanks for the info ...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I didn't read the post thoroughly the first time around. If you're comparing USDM setup vs. JDM ITR setup, then 15" USDM setup will give you a better drag time.

The limiting factor with 16" wheels is the tire selection. If you want the looks of JDM 16", then by all means go for it. And, just buy two 15" wheels for dedicated drag use. I love the look of JDM 16". 16" wheels look more agressive with at least .75-1.00" drop, IMHO.

 

When I first put my JDMs on, my car was not lowered. People told me it looked lower than stock and I thought it did for a while too. I didnt think it looked like an SUV. It looks much better know though. As for performance, I dont notice a big difference.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iperez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm thinking about replacing my ITR OEM 15" wheels with ITR JDM 16" wheels. I currently run Azenis 205/50/15 tires on my OEM wheels. How much is my straight lint acceleration and overall performance going to be affected if I go with the 16s ?? I know my handling should improve with the bigger wheels but I also do a lot of drag-racing and I don't want to loose my edge on that event either..

BTW: Will 16's roll just like my OEM suspension or am I going to have to mess with my suspension to lower the car so it doesn't get that SUV look with the 16's ??

Thanks !!</TD></TR></TABLE>

If your concerned with drag times , then DONT get the heavy overrated JDM rims.

At least get some lightweight 16's.

But for optimal performance , get some lightweight 15x7's

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why didn't the US ITR come with 16'' stock?
I thought someone told me the honda engineers couldn't get the same handling performance out of it with 16's, but thats probably not true.


</TD></TR></TABLE>

I 'm sure weight and cost was an issue. The JDM ITR rims already weigh to much, add that to a USDM ITR that already weighs noticably more than its JDM counterpart.

IMO , i dont know why the JDM ITR's ever came with 16x7's, a bit unessecary ....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apex i ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had 17 inch Volks on my car and it accelerated quicker corner'd better (To me). i had the best quarter mile times in that car with 17's as opposed to 15's.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You may have handled better , though its kind of hard to attest that if your grading this wheel by driving on the street. But yes , bigger wheels are more stable on the street.

But accelerating faster. I highly doubt that. I'm sure you could account for the faster times do to practice and tire selection.

Alot more rotating mass that comes with a 17inch rim to be able to out accelerate a 15 inch wheel ...

 

Very true ... Does anyone know the weight of the USDM 15 vs the JDM 16 ?? I know that when I put MOMO 17's on my beater Mazda the difference was just HUGE!! At times, the clutch would slip before the wheels moved ... Of course, this is a bit drastic going from a 13" to a 17" on my other car but it illustrates the theory behind the bigger wheels ...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iperez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Very true ... Does anyone know the weight of the USDM 15 vs the JDM 16 ?? I know that when I put MOMO 17's on my beater Mazda the difference was just HUGE!! At times, the clutch would slip before the wheels moved ... Of course, this is a bit drastic going from a 13" to a 17" on my other car but it illustrates the theory behind the bigger wheels ... </TD></TR></TABLE>

JDM ITR 16x7's = 17.5 lbs ....
USDM ITR/JDM CTR 15x6's= 15.6 lbs ....

(edit: from more searching on h-t, it seems the JDM ITR's weigh 17.5lbs )

 

16x7 is about 17lbs, which is quite heavy for an ITR.

 

is that figures with tires or just the wheels ??

well i switched from jdm 15" to 17" buddyclub p1 racing II , i notice that i have to give a lil bit more throttle to take off , but now im getting used to it

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tsunami_zc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The JDM ITR rims already weigh to much, add that to a USDM ITR that already weighs noticably more than its JDM counterpart.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wrong.

 

Here is my $.02

If 17" wheels are so bad then why are they using them on many of the race cars?

 

If I were you Id just stick with the 15's. If you get 16's and still want to run the Azenis, then youll have to get the 215/45/16. I just put this combo on my car and it gave the car a SUV like stance. My tires also rub when I make sharp turns and the tires look way too thick for the 16's. The Azenis arent such a cheap tire when you buy them for 16's. Just my opinion. If you go 16's I suggest you go with a 40 series tire.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by arizsun21 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If 17" wheels are so bad then why are they using them on many of the race cars?</TD></TR></TABLE>

In order to run really big brakes. The better braking more than makes up for the heavier wheels.

 

Id go with a lightweight set of 16's (volks, mugen, spoon) if you have the money. Most light 16's are in the 11-12 pound range which is much lighter than the JDM's and even the stock ITR wheels by a few pounds. Factor in a little heavier tire and you probably wont know any difference accelerating, but better overall traction.

 

Mugen

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Champ R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Id go with a lightweight set of 16's (volks, mugen, spoon) if you have the money. Most light 16's are in the 11-12 pound range which is much lighter than the JDM's and even the stock ITR wheels by a few pounds. Factor in a little heavier tire and you probably wont know any difference accelerating, but better overall traction. </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by arizsun21 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here is my $.02

If 17" wheels are so bad then why are they using them on many of the race cars?</TD></TR></TABLE>

lol no wonder you have 17 inch rims

 

Is the traction really any better with a 16? For a good driver, light rim, great tire, and built R, I would think 15's would always be 'better'.

I'm in the same boat, but want to track my car with R's, as well as street (90% twisties).

Mugen suspension, tuned alignment, built R for me. Thinking of 15x7 CE28N, but wondering if I don't want my fav MF-10's instead. R driven mainly for performance.