I'm wondering if you can really feel the difference in ''lost'' power when adding 18'' wheels to a bone stock XB? I'm not talking about 1/4 miles references, but only some little problems some of you may had with the fact that they put on some 18'' wheels, like having problem passing other cars on the highway....things like that...can we really feel the difference in power lost?

Thanks!

Eric

 

No. Its just as slow as always. LOL!
I don't think you'll notice a difference.
Just go by what you like for looks.

 

Think about it guys.....the fender wells will limit the maximum circumference of the
wheel/tire combination that you can put under it....so, whether they be 16", 17", 18", 19",etc..

I have 16" wheels with 205-55/16 tires which is the largest size tire that I can run
with the 16" wheels without having clearance problems.....if I was running 18"
wheels, then the largest tires would probably be 215-40/18's.....both of which have
approximately the same diameter and circumference.

What I'm trying to point out here is that the performance of the car is not dependent
on the size of the wheels, but on the difference in size of the wheel and tire combination in comparison to the size of the stock wheel and tire combination. The
larger difference in the wheel/tire combination, whether they be 15" wheels or 20"
wheels, will slow the cars acceleration somewhat, but probably not real noticeable.

 

i put 17" on mine and yeah the OUTER DIMESION does not change at all , however the wheel weight does change . but the difference is insignificant.

plus what you gain for handling far outweights and slight differnce in performance.

 

OK ! thanks! I was a little bit concerned about the weight of those 18'' wheels! !

Thanks!

 

My $0.02 worth,
I drive Scions all day long at the dealership and then I go home in my xB with the TRD 18" rims and P-Zero tires. With stock suspension there's a noticeable difference in ride quality and some increased road noise. I'm getting about 2-3mpg less than "before", but there's no perceived loss of power.
I did lose some power once when the hamster got out of the engine, but I put him back and everything was fine

 

I am running 19x8 with 215/35/19s with 2inch springs with automatic it rides alittle rougher and i need to check the milage which is proably dropped off. but it looks so darn good.

 

This is not necessarily true, there can be a BIG difference in weight between a 15" and 20" wheel. That increased weight can absolutely cause a noticable difference, not only in excelleration but also in braking and pad wear.
I am running 18's and although lightweight, the best mileage I can get is 30-33mpg

 

the weight difference between an 18" wheel and a 15" wheel would not make a
significant difference in performance, the diameter of the wheel and tire will make
more of a difference than the weight between the two....I wasn't talking gas
mileage, I was talking performance.....the larger the wheel/tire combination, the
higher it theoretically gears your car thus slightly slower accelleration, the smaller
the wheel/tire combination, the quicker it will accellerate, but less top end mph.

 

A bit slower and less mpg..I run 215 35 18's

 

You still might be getting the same mpg as before....with your 18"wheels, your
reading on your speedometer and odometer will be 0.8% slower than with the
stock wheels/tire....now, when your speedo reads 60mph, you are actually going
60.5mph.

check out this: http tool: //www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html

 

I goofed in the above post with the web site address, here
it is correctly so check it out, its really handy when you are
contemplating changing wheels and tires:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html

 

the weight fartheer away fromt he center of rotaion will actaully take away wheel horse power. idk if anyone watches Sports Car Revolution. But they had an RSX project car, they installed a big break kit on it, the brakes acauly weight about 1.5lbs lighter then the stockers. But they were 2in larger in diamater. they put the car on the dyno and found the lost about 11 WHEEL hp. its a really good show, so if ya dont watch it check it out. its on speed.

 

Weight makes a difference. "ROTATING MASS"

You'll notice 1-2mpg.

 

braking will lengthen tho FYI, and u live in canada rite? snows doesnt it? i say stay with the steelies!

 

When I put on 18's the only difference I noticed was that the ride was stiffer; power felt unaffected.

 

I say offset the 18" wheel "power loss" with an Ingen CAI!!!

 

I have 224/35/18 Nitto 555. Did not notice much difference at all and I got the tire to hang over the rim a little.