[Camtheman]

So, I've been thinking about buying some "racing" wheels I've been thinking about how the wheel weight and diameter are directly related to the drivetrains sprung weight inertia and/or resistance to moving. If i bought a very smalll diameter wheel that weighed the same as a large diameter wheel (same o.d.), the larger one would still be harder to start turning due to the mass being so far away from the rotation point (center)........more mechanical leverage pushing aginst you due to the long lever arm compared to the small wheel's shorter arm. :shock: hopefully that is not confusing :lol:
So advantage goes to the small wheel for better/faster acceleration and deceleration.
The larger wheel has the advantage in handeling, due to the short sidewall. No sidewall movement = crisper handeling.
So, my question is: Is it possible to use a small diameter wheel what is very wide, strech a narrower tire on it so that the side walls are very "tight" and have equal handeling compared to the large rim. This would be due to minimal sidewall movement in the streched tire acting like the short sidewall of the larger wheel. For the sake of this example consider both tires the same width. And exclude the fact that streched tires have a wider contact patch and better "give way" characteristics.
Any thoughts info would be great!

 

[freedomgli]

You can achieve the benefits of a lower profile tire on a smaller diameter wheel at the expense of reducing the rolling diameter which has an effect on gearing and your speedometer reading. It's all a matter of compromise. Nothing is free and nothing is absolute. It is possible to find a 17" rim that makes your car perform "better" than a 13" rim depending on the particulars of your setup and the car's intended use. But yes, I agree, small wheels and low profile tires on a Miata do make a nice combo.

 

[Brian Major]

i like the appearance of a 15 inch wheel on a 1st gen. theres a set of +28 te 37's for sale at rb motoring btw.

 

[slevin]

bmw bbs rims ! 14X6.5" 4x100, and like 9.5lbs each !

Scott

 

[Camtheman]

I can not do the smaller O.D. or rolling diameter set-up, simply on the highway too much.

 

[asianrice02]

smaller wheels and tires lower you center of gravity too. just play w/ air pressure w/ smaller wheels to get them to handle better than larger diameter wheels.

remember you still may want to clear the speed bumps and other road hazards.

my car is low to the point where dirt gets kicked up from wind shield by driving behind other drivers.

 

[Bryan]

I can not do the smaller O.D. or rolling diameter set-up, simply on the highway too much.

Why not? It's not like the car won't drive. Just curious...

 

[Camtheman]

I cant go undersized b/c I drive 20-30mins every day at 80mph :shock: seriously though Im already at about 4100rpm at that speed.

 

[Camtheman]

Anyone check out superlite rims? They are very cool and retro.....but not so super light at 18#s for a 15x7 :shock: No weights posted for the 13s.

 

[Flyineunos]

Hmmm some one should do a comparison test with the 15x8 Sportmax 002 and the 13x8 Rota RB. I know there must be someone here that has both sets.

 

[Miatamoto]

Here's a great option:

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=206671

I'll be getting a set in the Nickel finish. You can't beat a set of wide 13's with a really short tire, but if you plan on running them on the street there really aren't any good street tire choices.

 

[asianrice02]

Hmmm some one should do a comparison test with the 15x8 Sportmax 002 and the 13x8 Rota RB. I know there must be someone here that has both sets.

some one might argue the diff of +4 mm?!

btw what is the weight difference?

 

[Bryan]

Here's a great option:

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=206671

I'll be getting a set in the Nickel finish. You can't beat a set of wide 13's with a really short tire, but if you plan on running them on the street there really aren't any good street tire choices.

I presume those will become your street wheels?

 

[Miatamoto]

I presume those will become your street wheels?

Yep, I know you want the Lensos but I'm definitely keeping those for now.
:mrgreen:

 

[Bryan]

I presume those will become your street wheels?

Yep, I know you want the Lensos but I'm definitely keeping those for now.
:mrgreen:

I'd like a set, but it looks like I'm officially going to buying a ring, so spending money is going to be a little...difficult for anything else.

 

[Miatamoto]

I'd like a set, but it looks like I'm officially going to buying a ring, so spending money is going to be a little...difficult for anything else.

I've been there, so I feel your pain. Those shiny rocks are expensive. #-o

Congrats!

 

[y8s]

R-compound tires will have a MUCH stiffer sidewall to deal with the side loading even with a bigger sidewall. you wouldn't need to streeeeeeeeeetch them.