Downgrading from 20 - 18 - Update

by **Solara08861** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:25 am

I'm downgrading from 20inch to 18inch. Due to milage, road conditions and gas prices. Winter time with my factory rims and snow tires I was getting a little over 30 miles a gallon. Now with the 20 I'm at 27 miles a gallon putting 70 miles a day on comute.
I'm getting Motegi racing SP5 in Gun metal 18x7.5. The cool thing about these wheels is for the rear they come with a stagger look.

by **PXLpainter** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:10 pm

What 20's do you have currently? Any pics on your car?

What kind of mileage do you hope to get with the 18s?

by **Black Bob** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:21 pm

I was under the understanding that bigger diameter meant better fuel economy. I think the tires on your custom rims are more the culprit than the custom rims themselves--especially if you have some very soft rubber tread and the tire is wider than normal stock. All this involves something called contact area resistance which should be explained by someone who remembers their physics lessons......anybody?

by **Solara08861** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:28 pm

also the weight of the rims and tires makes a different on gas mileage.

I had these. I traded them for the new 18's.

by **1gSE** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:46 pm

Solara08861 wrote:also the weight of the rims and tires makes a different on gas mileage.

I had these. I traded them for the new 18's.

I'm not a big fan of big wheels...but that looks pretty dam good :sweet:

by **DaZanY4002** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:10 pm

1gSE wrote:I'm not a big fan of big wheels...but that looks pretty dam good

Yea, it does. You can't even tell they're that huge of wheels cause they fit so nice.

by **Solara08861** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:13 pm

They are huge and a pain in the ass to take off and put on. Heavy ass hell.
The other issue I was a bit of a concern with was all the daily milage and the wieght of the wheels if it could mess up the tranny.

by **1gSE** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:19 pm

Solara08861 wrote:They are huge and a pain in the ass to take off and put on. Heavy ass hell.
The other issue I was a bit of a concern with was all the daily milage and the wieght of the wheels if it could mess up the tranny.

lol i know the feeling. i worked at a tire shop back home and i hated when anyone came in with anything over 18's....especially the RV's

by **PXLpainter** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:05 pm

Solara08861 wrote:I had these. I traded them for the new 18's.

DAMN Those look great!

I dunno... I tend to look at what Posh has on her ride and I think that its the absolute perfect wheel setup for the Gen 2s IMO. At least as far as size and lip are concerned.

My 18's look too small - especially on the rears. :-?

by **Solarizona** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:51 pm

Wow, those wheels look sexy. I would have a hard time trading them if I were you. Dude, your avatar kills me! Every time I see it I go into a trance for a couple minutes - Dayum!

by **crispone** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:29 pm

RADIUS OF GYRATING MASS.

First, simple MASS. This is the WEIGHT of the rim on a scale. But WAIT... that is only HALF of the equation. The OTHER consideration is WHERE that mass is being carried in any given rim design. The CLOSER to the HUB the mass is CENTERED, the BETTER. More mass on the perimeter requires MORE torque to accelerate.

Another way to put it... you can have rims of the SAME WEIGHT net very different results.

When you get LARGER rims, EVEN if they are the same or similar to a smaller rims TOTAL WEIGHT, the outer ring, which is a METAL CYLINDER of material VERY NEAR THE FARTHEST DISTANCE from the center, or hub of the gyration, is MUCH heavier than the incremental SIDEWALL height (hollow inside) at that same diameter, or radius from the hub. Look at drag racing vehicles, small rims, with TALL SIDEWALLS! Less mass to "spool up", if you will.

Nope, if you want to handle better and accelerate quicker, get moderate or smaller diameter rims, and/or select one's that place as LITTLE MASS on the farthest radius from the hub. (While maintaining their strength, of course...) They will ride better, and have better foul weather traction, as well.

Just some thoughts...

(NOTE: I wear 17x8 OZ Nova's, and am VERY pleased with these, shod with 235/50/17 BS Potenza RE960AS Pole Positions, great in rain with quiet ride.)

-crisp :evilbat:

by **LostSoul** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:47 pm

Solara08861 wrote:also the weight of the rims and tires makes a different on gas mileage.

I had these. I traded them for the new 18's.

20's sweet man take flix when you put on the 18's

by **Projex0** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:56 pm

well for me my 18 weigh 23 or 25lbs with tire and i get roughly 19-21 city and 22-23 hwy plus i have a V6. i think urs is a 4 cyl correct? if its a 4 cyl then goin from the 20 -18's might bring you close to what ur getting with the stock rims in the winter.

by **Solara08861** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:24 pm

Yes I have the 4cyl

by **theprodigy79** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:21 am

Projex0 wrote:well for me my 18 weigh 23 or 25lbs with tire and i get roughly 19-21 city and 22-23 hwy plus i have a V6. i think urs is a 4 cyl correct? if its a 4 cyl then goin from the 20 -18's might bring you close to what ur getting with the stock rims in the winter.

Lol, where in the world did you find 6lb tires? I want some! :-P

Downgrading from 20 - 18 - Update

Downgrading from 20 - 18 - Update

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