Wider tires and effects on handling
05-24-2007, 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Onehots2k,May 24 2007, 09:29 AM
Its so interesting how 911's have the widest tires i've ever seen on a mass production cars. They look like bullfrogs. They look nice as hell too.
it doesnt have to be sticky tires... as long as your not going to a less sticky compound... assuming same type tires... wider is faster...
i agree about losing some responsiveness but, in my opinion, the single biggest deficinecy in an AP1 is lack of wide enough tires... (other than the torque thing) the car is capable of easily outrunning its stock tires... i think an AP1 is extremely responsive as it is... i'll add a little front camber if it feels that bad...
05-24-2007, 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by sprix!,May 24 2007, 03:38 AM
And just so you know, AP2 has 1.5 inch difference in wheel widths from the factory.
05-24-2007, 10:21 AM
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This is not a simple question with simple answers.
Yes, a more robust contact patch on the same compound tires will improve tire grip.
1.Size of the wheel affects how the sidewall of the tire will lay, this affects handling.
2. Thickness and height of the sidewall significantly affect handling.
3. Diameter of the tire affects gearing, which affects acceleration.
4. Wider tires affect Coefficent of Drag calculations, typically increase rotational mass and increase friction that needs to be overcome by force.
5. Alignment settings are key to taking full advantage of a car and tires' capabilities.
I think that the wheel/tire size needs to be carefully matched to the handling, weight and power characteristics of a given car.
Bigger is not always better and comes at a tradeoff price.
You would not slap Viper size wheels and tires on a stock S2000 and have an optimized performance vehicle.
Yes, a more robust contact patch on the same compound tires will improve tire grip.
1.Size of the wheel affects how the sidewall of the tire will lay, this affects handling.
2. Thickness and height of the sidewall significantly affect handling.
3. Diameter of the tire affects gearing, which affects acceleration.
4. Wider tires affect Coefficent of Drag calculations, typically increase rotational mass and increase friction that needs to be overcome by force.
5. Alignment settings are key to taking full advantage of a car and tires' capabilities.
I think that the wheel/tire size needs to be carefully matched to the handling, weight and power characteristics of a given car.
Bigger is not always better and comes at a tradeoff price.
You would not slap Viper size wheels and tires on a stock S2000 and have an optimized performance vehicle.
05-24-2007, 11:09 AM
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^ I see. Whats the most common combination/best combination for an autox s2k? front rear size on what size wheel? Is it best to keep stock tire and rim heigth on a stock s2k? wow lotsa different variables.. in tires. 
05-24-2007, 11:55 AM
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Power is an important variable, not mentioned in the post.
A stock s2000 could maybe benefit from slightly wider tires.
A turbo or SC s2000 could probably use the extra grip, because the unsprung weight of the wheel would not matter much, if at all.
A stock s2000 could maybe benefit from slightly wider tires.
A turbo or SC s2000 could probably use the extra grip, because the unsprung weight of the wheel would not matter much, if at all.
05-24-2007, 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by B.Money,May 24 2007, 05:04 PM
well, when upgrading wheels/tires, would it be better to use 1.5 inch stagger between front and rear or 2 inch?
05-24-2007, 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by B.Money,May 24 2007, 06:04 PM
well, when upgrading wheels/tires, would it be better to use 1.5 inch stagger between front and rear or 2 inch?
just make sure you can run a variety of tires in whatever wheel sizes you pick... so you have tire choices...
05-26-2007, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by PdC,May 26 2007, 12:10 PM
Of course all these comments about wider tires having more grip are assuming dry roads, right?