The Six

I thought I would ask the autocross and road race experts. Any disadvantage to running 19" square? Looking to purchase some forged monobloc wheels in 19X10 Front and 19X11 Rear. Until I begin 'tracking' my car in the future, I would be running Michelin Pilot Super Sports in 275/30/19 and 305/30/19.

What say you?

Charley Hoyt

You have a much better choice of tires for 18"wheels. That is why the vast majority of track specific wheels are 18". If you are buying wheels for track use get 18's if you are getting them for looks, get what ever looks best to your eye.

The Six

Thanks Charlie.

The forged monobloc wheels I'm looking to buy are super light: 19X10 fronts in C5Z offsets come in at 21.04 lbs. 19X11 rears in C5Z offsets come in at 22.04 lbs.

I understand that one has a greater tire selection in 18's. There are a good selection of dual purpose street/track tires available in 19" I don't really forsee myself getting to the point racing to where I would be needing slicks.

Anyone else...?

moespeeds

You just answered your own question. The only advantage of 18's over 19's is tire selection. If you don't care about that, and mechanically the 19's work, why not? Bet you could fit some giant brakes under there...

geerookie

BUT.....When you go to the larger wheel you are moving the rotating mass even further from the point of rotation!
Also I find it hard to believe the weights are that low for a strong, track capable 19" wheel.
Those are 17" and some higher end 18" wheel weights.

sperkins

And less sidewall means less forward bite.

troyguitar

Wheels cost more, tires cost more, other people running C5's are typically running 18's or even 17's. Those are the main negative points.

wtb-z

Easier to damage

froggy47

tire cost

Bill Dearborn

Reduced tire selection and higher price if you go with 19s Vs 18s. Depending on the distance from the rear of the spokes to the caliper you could also limit what aftermarket calipers you might want to use. For instance I had the LG G Stop Kit (Wilwood SL6 Wide Caliper) on my C5Z. It fit very nicely under my 17 inch stock front wheels and also under my 17x11 C4 GS wheels. When 17 inch tires became hard to get I went to running the stock 18x10.5 wheels all the way around. When I ran those wheels on the front I needed an 1/8 spacer to keep the spokes from hitting the caliper. The 18 inch wheel spokes weren't curved as much as the 17 inch wheel spokes were and were much closer to the caliper. Think ahead about how you want to use the car and what you may do with it in the future and don't make purchases that will preclude you from doing brake and other mods in the future.

Bill

The Six

I agree with the Tire cost. Not planning on tracking the car just yet, thinking ahead though.

To address the wheel weights of the 19X10 and 19X11. Those weight have been confirmed by the manufacturer, Finspeed for their F5 wheel without a center cap. The weights are not scaled weights, but determined through advanced computer analysis.

I think I'll stick withe the 18X10 front and 18X11 rear option instead of 19's. Until I begin tracking the car in the future, it is hard to find a good high performance tire for those sizes that is light weight.