I'm looking at purchasing some wheels for my R, that will be strictly used for autocrossing.
I have narrowed my choices down to three brands and styles:

1. Volk TE-37
2. RACING HART CP-035
3. SSR Competition

I need some help in deciding whether to go 15x7 or 16x7.
After searching this site and the internet, I am still not sure what size to select.
The 15" wheels all weigh around 9.3 lbs.
The 16" wheels all weigh around 11.2 lbs.

I feel that the advantages of the 15" weigh less and have a lower moment of inertia, which would produce faster acceleration.

The 16" wheels though heavier would be more rigid, producing better handling.

Can anyone please provide some guidance on which size to select and reason for selection?

Also, what tire size whould you recommend for these wheels? The tires chosen should not have any fitting issues on the car in terms of rubbing during driving or rolling the fenders for mounting.

Thanks in advance for your input and thoughts.

 

Usually for autocross the smallest widest tire works the best. If you look at the CSP CRX's they have 13X7 wheels (or something like that)....but...What class do you want to race in? If you are racing stock then the only wheel you can get is a 15X6 (not 15X7) and some aftermarket wheels have a fitment problem over our brakes in this size. Then if you are remaining stock, the tire size would be 205/50/15. Some people run 225/50/15 up front for slightly more traction. One of the best and cheapest alternatives is to get Mazda Millenia wheels. They are stock legal and weigh about 12lbs. I wouldn't get a 16" wheel for autocross because you would not be in stock anymore, and the weight of the wheel is further from the center of the wheel so the rotational inertia is higher. Basically if you had a 15" wheel and a 16" wheel that weighed the same, the 16" wheel would accelerate slower because the weight is further from the center. Remember this is small, but I have lost autocrosses by 0.03 secs, so everything can count.

 

If you get any of those wheels, you're out of the GStock (soon to be DStock) class. In which case, you better have substantial mods to keep up with the CSP or SM field. If you want to stay competitive in these classes, you'll need some racing rubbers... which in turn will require you to get 15x7" rims (as there are more tires in 205/50 or 225/50/15).

However, if you are a casual autoX-er, just get 16x7. AND, use it for streets. And, just use your stock rims w/ race rubbers for autoX.

Bottom line: 15x7 if you want to be very competitive. 16x7 if you're casual autoX-er.

 

The ITR's stock rim size is 15X6. If you buy any of the wheels you mention you will not be able to compete in the stock (GS) class. I recommend going with the Mazda Millenia wheel which is lighter that stock but same size. I have a set for sale if you're interested.

 

Thanks for you help guys. However, I live in Edmonton, AB, Canada. There are two clubs running here: The Alberta Solo Assocciation and The Corvette Club.
At this time we do not have enough cars competing (it's mostly for fun and to get seat time). Due to this, the clubs are running open classes. Everyone is aware of the SCCA solo car classifications, but if we followed them, there may be only 1 or 2 cars in each class, pending the mods done to each car.
Personally, I compare my times against cars that would be considered classified under G, CSP, or CMOD, but i always try to compete against the fastest cars running that day, I compete very well against any of these cars.
There are regional and national events that use the classifications, but due to the large distances between each event, I am only able to run at 1 or 2 of these events during the year.

So basically, I am just trying to get faster without any considerations for the classifications. This is my first year of owning this beautiful car that we call the Integra Type R, and I amstill learning to drive this car. I know that I am not even close to driving the car to its limits. However, I feel that once I take a driving course next year, get some more seat time, and put some lighter wheels and R compound tires on the car, I will be much faster.

Again thanks to everyone for their advice on my future purchase.

 

If that's the case in AB, the best things to spend money are:
1. Mugen Lowdown Suspension
2. JDM 4.785 final drive

You'll tear up the course with these mods and your RE010 tires.