Would going from 18s to 20s slow me down?
05-08-2007, 06:29 PM
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So I have a 530 and have 18s on and was looking at 20s and know technically it is like being in a "higher" gear by increasing tire size without compensating in the engine. But is this size diff enough to slow down acceleration. I really cannot afford to lose power in the acceleration as it is piss poor already!
05-08-2007, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by sleepyca31' post='422396' date='May 8 2007, 09:29 PM
So I have a 530 and have 18s on and was looking at 20s and know technically it is like being in a "higher" gear by increasing tire size without compensating in the engine. But is this size diff enough to slow down acceleration. I really cannot afford to lose power in the acceleration as it is piss poor already!
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Your 20" wheels likely weigh more but that's about it. After 3-4 weeks you won't notice the difference. I've gone from 16" to 20" and the ride suffered a bit, but did the car feel slower?....Not really.
05-08-2007, 11:09 PM
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It certainly will, slow down for the babes to check out your blings blings 
05-09-2007, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by sleepyca31' post='422396' date='May 8 2007, 09:29 PM
So I have a 530 and have 18s on and was looking at 20s and know technically it is like being in a "higher" gear by increasing tire size without compensating in the engine. But is this size diff enough to slow down acceleration. I really cannot afford to lose power in the acceleration as it is piss poor already!
Typically changing your wheel size doesn't necessarily change the tire circumference. You would go to a tire with a narrower profile and keep somewhat the same outer circumference. Too big a tire will rub,
05-09-2007, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by AC_S5' post='422448' date='May 9 2007, 02:09 AM
It certainly will, slow down for the babes to check out your blings blings
My thoughts exactly!! 
05-09-2007, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Veight' post='422622' date='May 9 2007, 07:13 PM
Typically changing your wheel size doesn't necessarily change the tire circumference. You would go to a tire with a narrower profile and keep somewhat the same outer circumference. Too big a tire will rub,
So short answer YES acceleration will decrease slightly,but generally this is not noticeable to most drivers.Plus you will benefit from better handling on the low-pros.
05-09-2007, 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by ressla' post='422649' date='May 9 2007, 03:03 PM
Further note : A bigger diameter wheel when matched with lower profile tyres can keep the same rolling circumference as a standard wheel ( also meaning no need to re-calibrate your speedo). BUT generally a bigger wheel is also WIDER and more power is required to move the car due to increased surface area in touch with the road.
So short answer YES acceleration will decrease slightly,but generally this is not noticeable to most drivers.Plus you will benefit from better handling on the low-pros.
So short answer YES acceleration will decrease slightly,but generally this is not noticeable to most drivers.Plus you will benefit from better handling on the low-pros.
05-09-2007, 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Veight' post='422671' date='May 9 2007, 11:37 PM
Then why do funny cars have slicks 2 feet wide when they are trying for fast acceleration? Why not use bicycle tires then?
Long answer: MAybe because the power is so huge that the only way to put it down is to have gigantic wide tires. Note that the huge proportions come especially from the width of it. And with this you simply cannot use too short (as in height) wheels as it will loose grip too much because it will spin it more easily and to oblision and you cannot have also a small tire sidewall because once the enormous thrust applied to the wheel (which btw has nothing in common with normal road cars) it needs to have realative high tire sidewalls because it needs the rubber flex for it. Otherwise the rim will hop and hop and loose contact with the surface.
05-09-2007, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='422681' date='May 9 2007, 03:48 PM
short answer: because those are not cars. Those are just some abominations of the 4 wheel concept.
Long answer: MAybe because the power is so huge that the only way to put it down is to have gigantic wide tires. Note that the huge proportions come especially from the width of it. And with this you simply cannot use too short (as in height) wheels as it will loose grip too much because it will spin it more easily and to oblision and you cannot have also a small tire sidewall because once the enormous thrust applied to the wheel (which btw has nothing in common with normal road cars) it needs to have realative high tire sidewalls because it needs the rubber flex for it. Otherwise the rim will hop and hop and loose contact with the surface.
Long answer: MAybe because the power is so huge that the only way to put it down is to have gigantic wide tires. Note that the huge proportions come especially from the width of it. And with this you simply cannot use too short (as in height) wheels as it will loose grip too much because it will spin it more easily and to oblision and you cannot have also a small tire sidewall because once the enormous thrust applied to the wheel (which btw has nothing in common with normal road cars) it needs to have realative high tire sidewalls because it needs the rubber flex for it. Otherwise the rim will hop and hop and loose contact with the surface.
05-09-2007, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Veight' post='422671' date='May 9 2007, 03:37 PM
Then why do funny cars have slicks 2 feet wide when they are trying for fast acceleration? Why not use bicycle tires then?