17"/18" vs. 18"/19" Combo - Need your advice

[RYU]

I'm considering a new set of 18/19 wheels. I'm currently using SSR Competitions 17/18 combo. Been happy with them and love the light weight. I've never tried any other combo other than stock 15/16 on my 91 so my point of reference is limited. I'd like to lower the car but still preserve some ride height hence the bigger wheels.

Questions:
1. Will I notice a decrease in performance in daily driving conditions and/or during brisk acceleration? I would imagine there would be some level of performance degredation but of what kind? Or maybe nothing noticeable?
2. Any adverse affects in MPG? (Ok, i don't really care about mpg on this car but it's a sign of efficiency)
3. Do you notice the car acting more sluggish or generally more lathargic due to the added rolling diameter?

Let's assume all else is equal such as tires, widths, etc. Weight? I think the wheels i'm going with will only be 1-3lbs heavier per wheel.

Thanks for your comments!

 

[lazynok]

I went from originally having 16/17 then to 17/18 until finally how I have 18/19. And I haven't noticed a difference in anything out of all the wheels... but I'm not a hardcore racer, or a racer at all. I have noitced that the wheels on my 18/19 combination are a lout louder at high speeds...annoying for phone calls.

 

[Big_D]

I think the biggest negatives with the 18/19 combo is the limited tire availability, cost, and reduction in tire sidewall which makes the ride less cushy.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

I don't have 18/19, but I had 18/18 and I make the switch back to 17/18. I've been driven the 16/17, and 15/16 and 17/17 too... (yeah I have my own "Tire Rack" at home).

The reduction of side wall in the front robs a lot of lateral grip when you getting aggressive with cornering. For RESPONSIBLE street driving, you will notice the difference but not something extremely different. 215/35/18 is "the" right size for front and 215/35 is really a rubber band tire.

Acceleration shouldn't be much difference nor mpg. If you have the same wheel and tire combo.

18/19 is more of cosmetic. I have to say I love them with a lowered nsx.

 

[ediddynsx]

Yes you will notice a difference.....at least I did when I went from 17/18 to 18/19.......I am now back to 17/18s......I don't plan to go back to 18/19 anymore unless its for show.

If you are running like 18/19s Volk TE37's then that will help a lot, but any other heavy 2 or 3 piece wheel will slow you down.

 

[swerve2007]

although the overall diameter remain the same, the larger wheels are heavier and that weight is placed close to the outer diameter of the wheel which, by laws of physics, does slow down the rotational acceleration- some people notice, some don't care. also, added wheel weight will affect the performance of your suspension (unsprung weight).

 

[KooLaid]

17/18. Lighter rims, overall lighter set up complete with tires. Tires selection is HUGELY better, pricing is cheaper for better rubber, and cheap tires are dirt cheap. More size selection and variation in tires. More cushion from road hazards. Tires are also more widely available. In other words when you shred a tire in BFE, there's a much greater chance you'll find something that'll work out there in Mayberry. Oh and generally pricing for the rims are lower.

I run 18/19s.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

although the overall diameter remain the same, the larger wheels are heavier and that weight is placed close to the outer diameter of the wheel which, by laws of physics, does slow down the rotational acceleration- some people notice, some don't care. also, added wheel weight will affect the performance of your suspension (unsprung weight).

tires are pretty heavy too, and something doesn't make sense.. and tires mounted OUTSIDE of the wheel. Maybe I'll try to weight the tire vs light weight wheel next time I have a chance.

 

[davidf]

I've considered ditching the 18/19 for 17/18. When your NA every little bit helps, but I just can't bring myself to pulling them off.:frown:

 

[RYU]

As I guessed it's an issue of looks vs. performance. I was blindly hoping for a net zero effect .

At this point, i'm convinced the little performance loss is enough to at least give it a try.

 

[Jetpilot3]

I ran 18/19 on my ex-91 and ran into some rubbing issues on the front fender liner but that was due to a worn suspension. The noise at speeds (highway drove me nuts and we have relatively super flat roads here).

On my 02 Imola I'll be running 17/18 as it still looks great when the car is lowered and the ride quality will be better over uneven roads.

 

[otoro]

As I guessed it's an issue of looks vs. performance.

Form > Function. We only live once :smile:

I ran 18/19 on my ex-91 and ran into some rubbing issues on the front fender liner but that was due to a worn suspension. The noise at speeds (highway drove me nuts and we have relatively super flat roads here).

On my 02 Imola I'll be running 17/18 as it still looks great when the car is lowered and the ride quality will be better over uneven roads.

Noise at speeds and ride quality can be alleviated by branding of tires and not due to a 18/19 wheel factor.

 

[swerve2007]

tires are pretty heavy too, and something doesn't make sense.. and tires mounted OUTSIDE of the wheel. Maybe I'll try to weight the tire vs light weight wheel next time I have a chance.

90% of tire weight is in the tread, not sidewall. smaller sidewall does not mean lighter tire.

 

[EuroBoutique]

I'd like to lower the car but still preserve some ride height hence the bigger wheels.

Thanks for your comments!

ryu: Your statement there confuses me because larger wheels = more wheel gap thus you need to drop your further to maintain the same drop

Your ride will be rougher with the 18/19 combo for sure but to me, the NSX looks best on that size combo unless you track the car.

I have went from NA2 OEM 17" rims to the 18/19 combo and have not noticed any less speed but then again I drive my car like once every 10 days...haha


rk

 

[RYU]

ryu: Your statement there confuses me because larger wheels = more wheel gap thus you need to drop your further to maintain the same drop

Thanks for your comments. After rereading my post I realize it's misleading. I meant to say "wheel gap" or "fender gap". I think you might be referring to the ride height gap from floor to chassis.

I'd like my car to be perceived lower (which a smaller fender gap will do) but i'd like to loose as little as possible in ride height. Sorry this is getting more complicated than it needs to be

 

[goldNSX]

I'm considering a new set of 18/19 wheels. I'm currently using SSR Competitions 17/18 combo. Been happy with them and love the light weight.

In doubt take no action! :wink: Except for the looks you'll only loose in all other categories.

From an owner who is very happy with the 02+ wheels.

 

[scorp965]

The difference between a lightweight competition wheel, and an 18/19 combination, will be huge, you will definitely feel the difference.

In my case, I went from SSR comp's, to BBS LM's in 17/18, and felt a slight difference, but when I went from the BBS to 18/19 combination, and note my 18/19's are high quality forged kinesis wheels, used on many race cars, the change felt like adding a passenger into the car - it was certainly something I was able to feel.

The 18/19's look better, but there is a performance loss - most 18/19's will weigh more than the ones I installed, and locating suitable tires is a great deal more difficult, you may have to settle on a 'good enough' tire, rather than the tire you have experience with.