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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

17 vs 18 inch wheels

  • Thread starter Thread starter DJHA90
  • Start date Start date Apr 12, 2005
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DJHA90

Member
Dec 17, 2002
581
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16
Texas
Apr 12, 2005
#1
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #1
Im sure that the pros and cons have already been discussed. Anybody have the address of a good thread??

Thanks
 

Venom351R

Founding Member
Apr 27, 2002
4,548
40
98
MAINE
Apr 12, 2005
#2
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #2
18's will fill out the wheel wells more but the rubber for them is more expensive. 17's are also lighter and have less rotating mass when at the track.
 

Caldwell

New Member
Apr 27, 2004
528
0
0
Ontario Canada
Apr 12, 2005
#3
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #3
17s are a compromise to an 18 inch.
I wanted 18s, but the price of rubber in comparison wasn't worth it.
Especially since I pound on my car... and in truth...
i love my wheels.
Now that I have these, i wouldn't buy an 18!
my kinda compromise

 

super302

I'd do anything for free Bapples
May 29, 2004
2,878
1
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Davenport, IA
Apr 12, 2005
#4
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #4
i personally think 18's are for show cars, the rubber is way to expensive/hard to find and they will "slow you down"
 

91LX_5L

Founding Member
May 13, 2002
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British Columbia
Apr 12, 2005
#5
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #5
I love my 18s. Caldwell yours look like 18s must be the design of the saleens.
 

SN95StangMan

New Member
Jul 5, 2003
1,292
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Lynwood, CA
Apr 12, 2005
#6
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #6
If my 18's are good enough for a Cobra R, they are good enough for me. My car isnt necessarily a slug off the line with the 18" tires either...



My .02
 

Caldwell

New Member
Apr 27, 2004
528
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0
Ontario Canada
Apr 12, 2005
#7
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #7
91LX_5L said:
I love my 18s. Caldwell yours look like 18s must be the design of the saleens.
Click to expand...

that's what i was betting on
plus the slam doesn't hurt either.
i made sure it was the look i wanted before the purchase.
 

Nik_95Cobra

Founding Member
Feb 5, 2002
1,677
1
37
Tempe, Arizona
Apr 12, 2005
#8
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #8
Stangman I love your car. IMO...18's look the best on a street car for our year.
 
J

jasonlee0704

New Member
Feb 3, 2004
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Kansas City, MO
Apr 12, 2005
#9
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #9
15" (draglites, etc.) = lightest, best for straight-line acceleration

17" = fit Cobra brakes, wider performance tire selection than 15", in general lighter than 18"

18" = fit 4-piston brakes, best handling (stiffer sidewalls), worst weight in general so worst acceleration
 

super302

I'd do anything for free Bapples
May 29, 2004
2,878
1
0
Davenport, IA
Apr 12, 2005
#10
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #10
jasonlee0704 said:
15" (draglites, etc.) = lightest, best for straight-line acceleration

17" = fit Cobra brakes, wider performance tire selection than 15", in general lighter than 18"

18" = fit 4-piston brakes, best handling (stiffer sidewalls), worst weight in general so worst acceleration
Click to expand...

 

KingDiamond

New Member
Mar 9, 2003
637
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0
Chicago, IL
Apr 12, 2005
#11
  • Apr 12, 2005
  • #11
I like my 17's but if I ever replace these wheels I'll get 18's. They definately look better.
 

Engel

Member
Apr 2, 2005
219
0
16
Currently Fort Walton Beach
Apr 13, 2005
#12
  • Apr 13, 2005
  • #12
4 pistons wont clear a 17"?
 
S

slytherin

New Member
Apr 5, 2004
702
1
0
northeast ohio
Apr 13, 2005
#13
  • Apr 13, 2005
  • #13
It's 17's for me I just cant fathom ponying up for 18's, that and it would stretch out my 4.10's a little-I don't want that I like the snap.
 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member
Sep 28, 2003
3,651
4
68
Indianapolis, IN
Apr 13, 2005
#14
  • Apr 13, 2005
  • #14
slytherin said:
It's 17's for me I just cant fathom ponying up for 18's, that and it would stretch out my 4.10's a little-I don't want that I like the snap.
Click to expand...

You get tires so that its the same height as it would be with 17's...or 16's or 15's for that matter. The tire/wheel combo is the same height for any rim. Mine is the same as stock.


How big of a difference in weight is it between an average 18 and a 17? The BIGGEST concern is the cost of the tires....to me that makes or breaks it. The result is more than worth it. If you want to go fast keep your stock wheels around....but im willing to bet that a 18 isnt going to "hurt" you that much more than a 17 would.

If you can handle the cost of tires, get the 18's. You will still have your stock wheels for the track if need be.

IMHO, 18's are just right for sn-95's....and 19-20's are a MUST have for the new 05. I thought our wheel wells are huge......
 

91LX_5L

Founding Member
May 13, 2002
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British Columbia
Apr 13, 2005
#15
  • Apr 13, 2005
  • #15
How much would 18s actually slow a car vs 17s?
 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member
Sep 28, 2003
3,651
4
68
Indianapolis, IN
Apr 13, 2005
#16
  • Apr 13, 2005
  • #16
91LX_5L said:
How much would 18s actually slow a car vs 17s?
Click to expand...


I dont know..doubt there has ever been a test with equal tires and such. I doubt there is very much difference...we are not talking about 20's here.

Oh yea, tires have weight too....and an 18 has less tire
 

SN95StangMan

New Member
Jul 5, 2003
1,292
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Lynwood, CA
Apr 13, 2005
#17
  • Apr 13, 2005
  • #17
nmcgrawj said:
Oh yea, tires have weight too....and an 18 has less tire
Click to expand...


good point.
 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member
Sep 28, 2003
3,651
4
68
Indianapolis, IN
Apr 13, 2005
#18
  • Apr 13, 2005
  • #18
SN95StangMan said:
good point.
Click to expand...


haha yea i got that from you in another thread


I know when i put my 18's on, i didnt notice any loss in power/torque......just a hell of a lot better looking stang Oh yea...and my pockets were a little emptier
 

SN95StangMan

New Member
Jul 5, 2003
1,292
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Lynwood, CA
Apr 13, 2005
#19
  • Apr 13, 2005
  • #19
nmcgrawj said:
haha yea i got that from you in another thread


I know when i put my 18's on, i didnt notice any loss in power/torque......just a hell of a lot better looking stang Oh yea...and my pockets were a little emptier
Click to expand...
Haha, that sounds like something I would say. I didnt realize you got that from me, just thought it was a good point.

My pockets were a little emptier too. I think that helps discourage me from doing unnecessary burnouts. People are always requesting that I do a burnout, and I just tell them to give me some money for my tires. The only time I burn rubber is to heat up the tires at the dragstrip. Once the local dragstrip was having a burnout contest, and the guy asked me to join. I asked what prize the winner gets... He told me "Burned tires." Yea right buddy.
 

Nik_95Cobra

Founding Member
Feb 5, 2002
1,677
1
37
Tempe, Arizona
Apr 13, 2005
#20
  • Apr 13, 2005
  • #20
How much would 18s actually slow a car vs 17s
Click to expand...

By no means a comparison to our cars...But on my friends 94 civic when he went from the stock 14's with 60 series tires to 17's with 40 series and he lost over a second lol. Was a while ago so it's hard to remember but he ran a high 17.something lol. In a 5-Speed.
 
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