This is about performance, not looks (mostly).

What does everyone think would be better, performance-wise, on a car running about 250-300whp? 17" or 18" wheels? The 17"s would weigh less but I'm guessing they wouldn't cut it as far as grip goes.

Ontop of that. Can anyone recommend some light weight rims? I love the look of the HP Evo rims but they seem too heavy. What's the weight of the tC's stock rim?

 

for performance, 17"

sidewalls help in so many conditions.

the grip is detirmined by the comtact patch and the ability to maintain it.

 

Grip and performance is all about lighter and stickier. Take a look around and you will find that 90% of serious track racers who drive 4cylinder compacts run 16 inches and under. Good luck dude.

 

i personally want 16's with thicker tires, does anyone know of pics of tC's with 16's or good prices of wheel tire combo's in 16's?????????

 

also, will 16's clear the brake calipers on a tC? i have a xB so i dont know

 

Well that's good news. Now I just need to spend money on better tires instead of rims also. I just hate how the wheels look small against the car. But I'll let them comment on my wheels as I pass them.

 

get 17x8 rims. it's a total of 4" more rubber to the ground than the stockers

 

Hmmm, good question! My comment did not necessarily mean that most tC guys using their cars for competition are running 16s. I just meant in general, most people using smaller cars are using smaller diameter wheels, 16s or even 15s in many cases. If 16s do in fact fit on the tC, without clearance issues, I would definitely use some in competition.

 

bigger rims = further distance per rotation?
but u gotta add the weight for the 1 extra inch
so i dunno, i wouldn't know how to do the math neither

 

this wouldnt make any difference in your case because there really isn't much difference in the handling of a 17 vs 18. If you're looking for performance stay 17 and get a wider tire "Wider is Better". Personally I think the tC should come on 225/45's off the rip cause they 215's look a little narrow to me. Just my loose change!

 

keep in mind you can get taller rims that are lighter... but when the weight is farther away from the middle of the rim (taller) it's harder to spin.

 

I'm no expert but from what I understand, lighter is better. Going to an 18 will likely add unsprung weight, which is a bad thing in terms of performance. As far as stepping down to a 16, not only will you have to consider caliper clearance, you'll have to consider tire weight. You want the lightest overall package, as minimizing unsprung weight can benefit both acceleration and handling characteristics. Of course ultralight forged rims are pricey, and may not look as cool as some heavier rims, so it's always a compromise.

 

Does anyone have any pix of hp evo rims on a tC ?? I have a FM and thinking of getting them. Also are these rims alot heavier then the stock.. not really interested in sacrificing performance for rims yet...

thanks,
Michael