15" vs 16" wheel
 

Ok, here's a question:Want better throttle response/acceleration and handling on 99 Pro LX 1.6 w/ auto trans, limited on performance mods. Is is better to go with 15x7" wheels that weigh 9.3lbs or 16x7.5" wheels that weigh 11.5lbs? The car comes with 14" stock wheels.

Hi maniak_mik,

I take a stab. The lighter the wheel the better. It also depends on how wide a wheel/tire your car can accept. You also need to take into account the weight of the tire. Look at the total weight not just the weight of the rim.

Another issue is ride comfort. A 16" rim will have a smaller sidewall for the same diameter than a 15" and will ride harsher. If you live in an area with a lot of potholes or questionable road surfaces you might want to stick to a 15" rim.

HTH

Thanks that was helpful, but won't a 16" give better traction?

Not really because the tire width wont change much.

Also what kind of wheels are you looking at that weigh 9.3lb?

Depends on what you mean by traction. The tire width will be the same and assuming the tire is the same make and model then the traction will be the same.

But handling response will improve with the 16 because the tire sidewall is shorter. The car will have a better steering response.

BUT

as I mentioned earlier with a shorter sidewall will give you a rougher ride as there is less sidewall to absorb impact. If the sidewall is smaller and you hit a pothole, if the sidewall can't absorb the impact then you might bend/crush the rim.

It's a tradeoff that you must decide how you want to deal with.

HTH

FYI It's the SSR Competition wheels on Tirerack.com 15" or 16"