18" Wheels

[shimmy]

Originally Posted by karbonkid

Even bald ones?

% wise, even more

[nuttynat]

Gorilla, the 19" vs 18" comment ignores cost and what tyres are available since as you say there are more limits on 19".
18" are normally better on the road as they will take out some of the road humps and bumps due to side wall movement which is why it is always said that the E92 M3 launch cars ran 18" rather than the much more popular 19".

On track you don't have the humps and bumps to worry about, since the 19" will have lower profile tyres (working on same rolling raduis) they will have less lateral movement when cornering so are better in the corners. Down side of this is they will be less progressive when they give up grip.

The other side of this is weight which is not so much of a compromise 18 vs 19 but for a lite weight car (F1) big wheel = lots more weight..... we then get onto unsprung weight etc

I may be talking crap :-) but Mr Harvey aka Touring car and porsche cup racer also said go 19 not 18 for best track (again this does not take into account cost etc)

[Dan]

Nutty, How do you know the legend that is Tim Harvey? Have you asked him what he thinks of the CSL?

[shimmy]

The fact is that most race series don't have rims and tires free choice in the regs. Manufacturers of cars want their cars to look cool so Porsche will have 18 or 19 inch rims regulated in the Cup cars etc etc. Brakes will be specified as a certain size and they will want to run lightest, stiffest rims and tyre combo that works.

Tyres are then chosen first based on what manufacturers will give the most to the sponsor of the series and them what works best on the given rims.

[The Gorilla]

Hi,

NuttyMat- But you require an
element of lateral movement and
flex in the tyre side wall on Track,
with type R and slick tyres.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

[_Nathan_]

Ask Tim why the Porsche Cup Cars all run 18s when Porsche themselves set the regs & supply the cars so could run whatever they wanted to show their product in the best light.

[TANKSLAPPER]

18" are the best choice for handling and ride whether you are on the road or track.
On track you can take on the kerbs without unsettling the balance of the car.
No race car runs such low profiles, after all the tyre is the suspension between the wheel and the tarmac thus 18"s due to the deeper side wall gives great flexibility and a better contact patch which in turn = grip.

18" BBS LM'S are lighter than the 19" OEM wheels its just the tyres that are heavier. I haven't come across any one who has got skill requirement to make the different out of the weight issue over the grip level what 18" offer.

T$

[nuttynat]

Hay what do I know ... bugger all.... what does Tim know alot more than most of us

Tim Harvey was at tyre test that I went to last weekend. Was talking with him and Marketing chap from Michelin and siad about considering dropping to 18's for track. He instantly said Na na na my lad 19's for track are best 18's for road are best..... ow and you need to up grade those crap breaks on the CSL.

Porsche cup can run best size to fit purpose etc as Shim said (weight, break size, tyres available) and don't need to think about keeping the same rolling raduis like I guess most of us want to do. Thats why this is not about size (as the wife says) when it comes to race cars but if it was would be interesting seeing pimp my ride size wheels in touring cars or F1 even with spinner things

End of day makes bugger all difference to most of us that are just out for some fun, is just an interesting thing when paying £000's for upgrades, would have said most would not notice a difference but would have probably said that a little bit about standard prem road tyres till last weekend.

Any way back to topic what 18" should I get

[DuncanR]

Originally Posted by nuttynat

It's an interesting one when talking about going for 18" wheels since the 19" is going to be better for track work and 18" better for road use. Can understand (as was looking my self) at 18" due to tyre price etc but interesting how people have spent loads on suspension etc and then drop to 18".
Was speaking with Tim Harvey about tyres and dropping to 18" and his comment was the same as the above.

Ah bollocks ... just fitted new 18" Cups to my TD 1.2 RIMS ....

Originally Posted by The Gorilla

Hi,

Nuttynat- Are you sure that 19's are better
than 18's for Track work ?

Given you would want to run at least
a Type 'R' tyre if not slick, then the
tyre ratio aspect alone is going to limit not
only choice on the 19's but size.

Not sure I follow the thinking let alone
the logic here ?

Regards,

The Gorilla.

Ah .... feeling better now ....!

[shimmy]

Originally Posted by nuttynat

Hay what do I know ... bugger all.... what does Tim know alot more than most of us

Tim Harvey was at tyre test that I went to last weekend. Was talking with him and Marketing chap from Michelin and siad about considering dropping to 18's for track. He instantly said Na na na my lad 19's for track are best 18's for road are best..... ow and you need to up grade those crap breaks on the CSL.

Porsche cup can run best size to fit purpose etc as Shim said (weight, break size, tyres available) and don't need to think about keeping the same rolling raduis like I guess most of us want to do. Thats why this is not about size (as the wife says) when it comes to race cars but if it was would be interesting seeing pimp my ride size wheels in touring cars or F1 even with spinner things

End of day makes bugger all difference to most of us that are just out for some fun, is just an interesting thing when paying £000's for upgrades, would have said most would not notice a difference but would have probably said that a little bit about standard prem road tyres till last weekend.

Any way back to topic what 18" should I get

tbh much better to think about cost as well as grip

rims need to be stiff and light, tyres strong, stiff sidewalls and sticky as fooking possible.

driving needs to be good enough to not ruin them in 20 minutes

IF you want budget go for TD Prorace 1.2 (speak to MArk at NCBMotorsport) 18x9 et 30 all round and buy Federal 595RS or Kumho V70 hard all round, Cups are better

If you want best bling option buy mine!