[Miata] wheel size-is bigger better?

[Larry Alster]

If your saying the bigger wheels allow you to run bigger brakes, for the most part you can fit the big brakes in most 15" wheels anyway.  Also if you need bigger brakes your using them too much.   :)


Larry
 
White Knight      1991 Crystal White   #99 CSP
Silver Bullet        1992 Silverstone     #17 SM2  FM I+ Turbo
Honey B             1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L  JR Supercharger
Whooosh           2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5
 
LowCountry Miata  http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net
Masters Miata
RAGS 074
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Chris Klein 
  To: Keith Tanner ; Larry Alster 
  Cc: Miata List 
  Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 12:04 PM
  Subject: Re: [Miata] wheel size-is bigger better?


  I think if you take away the aesthetic issues... 

  The advantage of a bigger wheel (in practical terms) are bigger breaks the disadvantage is more weight and having that weight further away from he axle... It's like having 4 bigger fly-wheels on your car...

  for speed (especially in a low hp car) you want to have the least about of rotating mass possible...

  Then tire selection come into play... I use 15's at the track just because the Spec Miata guys give me their old RA1's...

  I run the 16s from a 2001 Miata on my 94 because I like the way they look but they are at least 4 lbs. heavier than the 15s and you can feel it... but then again I'm not trying to shave fraction of second off my lap time on the street either...

   


  Chris Klein
  www.thedigitalperspective.com



  ----- Original Message ----
  From: Keith Tanner <keith at miata.net>
  To: Larry Alster <Larry at miata.net>
  Cc: Miata List <miata at realbig.com>
  Sent: Monday, August 6, 2007 7:59:50 AM
  Subject: Re: [Miata] wheel size-is bigger better?


  I think there's still a lot of choice available for 15", both in the
  205/50 and 195/50 sizes. There are a whole lot of cars out there
  running this wheel/tire size, options aren't going to dry up anytime
  soon.

  If you like the looks of the 17" wheels, go ahead. Just keep in mind
  what compromises you'll likely find - shorter sidewall, a harsher
  ride, heavier wheel - and if you're comfortable with that, great.
  There are cars with 10", 14", 15" and 17" aftermarket wheels in my
  garage, and they're all the right choice for the vehicle in question.
  In the case of the 17", that's my wife's Miata and she loves the look.
  But she runs 14" on the track.

  Keith

  On 8/6/07, Larry Alster <Larry at miata.net> wrote:
  >
  >
  > The advantage is that there are more tire choices for the bigger rims these
  > days.  The disadvantage is that unless you buy very expensive rims it's hard
  > to get a light rim.  The other disadvantage is that if you keep the proper
  > tire ratio you will be running something like a 205/40/17 and have very
  > little sidewall.  This makes it likely you can damage the rim from a road
  > hazard and also that the ride is going to be harsher than your 14" rims
  > since the tire isn't going to do much bump absorbing with it's small
  > sidewall.
  >
  > I always thought a 15" rim was a great size for a Miata but even the 15"
  > tires are getting harder to find.  I have 2 sets of 16" rims for track tires
  > and they are hard to find now too.  It's getting to be uncool to run small
  > rims so the tire manufacturers are cutting back on the tires available to
  > fit them.
  >
  >
  > Larry
  >
  > White Knight      1991 Crystal White   #99 CSP
  > Silver Bullet        1992 Silverstone     #17 SM2  FM I+ Turbo
  > Honey B             1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L  JR Supercharger
  > Whooosh           2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5
  >
  > LowCountry Miata  http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net
  > Masters Miata
  > RAGS 074
  >
  > ----- Original Message -----
  > From: Luke Zyla
  > To: Miata List
  > Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 7:18 AM
  > Subject: [Miata] wheel size-is bigger better?
  >
  >
  > I am looking at a set of cool looking 17" wheels for my 99 stock Miata.
  > What are the advantages to moving to larger wheels other than they look
  > really cool?  I will keep my 14" wheels for autocross.
  > Luke Zyla
  > 99 red "Ranger"
  > 42cs
  >
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