technical reason behind staggered wheels?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 599
Likes: 1
From: Katy Texas
technical reason behind staggered wheels?
i hope i worded that right? i understand why you want a wider rear wheel than front but can someone explain to me why its a better design to have a smaller wheel in the front? like the stock 17/18 combo?
im buying new wheels and im between 18/19 and 19/19 and i dont know what advantage's there are to have a staggered combo?
thanks!
im buying new wheels and im between 18/19 and 19/19 and i dont know what advantage's there are to have a staggered combo?
thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 15
From: Syracuse NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
That is as debatible as the "BSM vs. no BSM", "Auto vs. 6 speed", etc...
I went with a 18/19 setup with CCW. I personally like the staggered look. To me, the slightly bigger rear rim looks very cool.
There are lots of 19/19 guys on here too, even some 18/18's.
Look at more pix and make a decision. Meanwhile, here are some pix of mine
.
I went with a 18/19 setup with CCW. I personally like the staggered look. To me, the slightly bigger rear rim looks very cool.
There are lots of 19/19 guys on here too, even some 18/18's.
Look at more pix and make a decision. Meanwhile, here are some pix of mine
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 2
From: Haymarket VA
CI 7-8 Veteran
There is a slight technical reason but it can be compensated for. In order for the Active Handling to work correctly, the rear tires need to be slightly larger than the fronts. You can compensate for this with different profiles if you get the same size tires though. I ended up going wiht the 18/19 combo for that reason and I like the looks better.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I can think of a few possible reasons for a smaller wheel up front. Less mass makes for quicker turning response, less rolling resistance and better aerodynamics. Smaller wheel and tire are easier to fit within a smaller wheel well for packaging and styling purposes. The smaller combo could have made it easier to attain the difference in tire height needed for the traction control function. And, of course, smaller tire and wheel costs less. Here ais my 19/19 setup.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,866
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From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I don't know of any real good technical reasons of why they went that way but the important thing now is that you keep the TIRE size differential. The wheel size now is more a matter of weight (smaller being lighter). I've seen a lot of photos with 17/18, 18/18, 18/19, 19/19 and usually it is more about the wheel style than the size. The only ones I really dislike (in the photos) are the 20's. Keep your tire diameter correct front and back and you won't have any problems with the TC or the AHS
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Actually a larger front wheel and smaller rear wheel diameter make technical sense.
Having larger front wheels permits lower aspect ratio front tires, with less sidewall flex, it gives better turn-in
Smaller diameter rear wheels permits higher aspect ratio rear tires, with more sidewall flex, it promotes better hook-up....
Having larger front wheels permits lower aspect ratio front tires, with less sidewall flex, it gives better turn-in
Smaller diameter rear wheels permits higher aspect ratio rear tires, with more sidewall flex, it promotes better hook-up....
