smithtc

iTrader: (5)

If you could only choose one, or didn't have room for a spare set of wheels when going to the track...which would be best for street/dragstrip/autocrossing? A set of 16x8 wheels or 17 x 9.5s.

Basically, I like my stock 16x8 GTA wheels. I have seen threads concerning Hawks Thirdgenparts making a bigger-wider GTA replica wheel. I realize the bigger-wider wheel and tire combo will help the autocross and daily driving....But is there a tire that will work with a 17x9.5 type wheel that will hook good at the dragstrip? Some racing classes also require a 10.5" and smaller tire IIRC. Would the 9.5" wide wheel necessitate a tire that would exceed that class requirement?

PhilM

This is an interesting question. Everybody dreams of have the super car that corners at 1G, runs 9's, and still goes for groceries every day.
What is your definition of hooking good at the dragstrip? Are you talking about a 12 second car or an 8 second car? From my experience, any car running in one of the so called 10.5" tire classes is not something you would see carving corners...
I have seen plenty of street cars running 10's on 16" and 17" Drag Radials, while retaining some sense of high performance handling.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

personally, i think you have to build the car to one end of the spectrum or the other. it's going to be really hard to get the best of both worlds.

but if i had a choice, i would pick the 16x8's. those seem to work fine at both the track and the auto-x, with different tires obviously.

smithtc

iTrader: (5)

Nevermind the 10.5" class...getting ahead of myself. The above statement is basically what I'm thinking. Hoping to maintain/improve the stock handling of my GTA, at the same time improving 1/4 mile characteristics...on say Nitto 555R tires or something equivalent. I could have a spare set of 16x8 rear wheels for different tires....but won't necessarily have that option if I'm using 17x9s or 17x9.5s.

Heck...I've got 2 GTAs anyway...I'll just build both. One for handling and one for Drag Racing Only. Wife will love that!

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

honestly, this is really the only way to do it man! if i get another camaro, this one will be drag race and cruise only, and the other will be for running around and handling well. i wouldn't mind an old berli that could carve corners with the best of them...haha!

and keep the 305 power baby!

PhilM

you guys nailed it. just have 2 cars...that's the way I always planned it. When I drove my car on the street, I ran 16's with an extra set of wheels that had the stickies mounted on them.

smithtc

iTrader: (5)

I had posted something along these same lines a while back...

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=203037

10s and pulling .9s in a skid pad would be great... I'm planning a power adder for my 5-speed car anyway...but not willing to make it a pure race car for the qtr times. I'll see how far I can reasonably take it.

I read in magazines (Mark Stielow) where the wheels and tire combo are decided first, and you build around that. So I'm trying to figure that out first.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

the thing here, if you want to do both with one car, is make a whole lot of power so that when you don't get hooked up at the strip cause of spin, you still run a ridiculous mph to make up for it, or put a BIG single turbo on it and leave off idle as to not roast the tires, because of turbo lag, you should get a quazi decent launch.

unknown_host

iTrader: (1)

I say all around 16's. Obviously the 16's are going to weigh less than a 17" wheel/tire combination, 16's are going to hook better than a 17 at the drag strip, and if you plan on autocrossing, you are going to be buying A LOT of tires. 16's will be cheaper than 17's. The only reason I would go with a 17 in your case would be if you absolutely love the look.

BumpaD82

MY vote:

get some 17x9.5 's and Run Nitto 555 DR's in the rear and 555 R's in the front=

Great handling, AND a "chance" at hooking if you "pedal" it

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

bfg does make a 17" drag radial now and they far outperform anything nitto puts out.

paul_huryk

BFG and Nitto make drag radials in 275-40-17, so don't worry. What I would do is buy a set of wheels and put super hi-po street tires for everyday use. Then buy 2 additional matching rear wheels for the drag radials.

vejatabul

just a quick lesson guys, hi-po(or hypo) is defined as below normal, or less than optimal. you learn all sorts of wierd things working in a hospital.

smithtc

iTrader: (5)

I'm looking at the Feb. 2005 issue of Car Craft. There's a '90 Mustang on page 30 with 16x8s in the rear putting down low 10s at 140s...supposedly has good street manners, also.

Would the suspension set-up vary if you used a 16x8 versus 17x9.5? Once you build the car in a manner like this, are you sort of bound to the size wheel you set it up for? Does the wheel size need to be determined at the start...or can I make this decision further down the line?

I reckon I need to buy some good suspension books. Looks like Barnes & Noble get my Christmas money this year.

Those are some good points. I just don't know exactly how my car would look with these. Looks are important to me in this case. As always, cost and function is too.

On another note, if there are any autocross participants looking...what are the rules on stock size wheels versus aftermarket?

Merry Christmas!!:rockon: :rockon: