15vs 17s

[xxcooljay23xxg5]

whats everyones opinion on wheel size. Im pretty fixed on this certain style of wheel like, but i hear things bout putting 17s on my g5 thats its gonna suck my 0 60. Whats everyones opinion?

[roccityknomad]

I have 18's on my Ls and i love them. A larger wheel allows for a wider tire and better contact patch. Better contact patch = better traction.

[xxcooljay23xxg5]

do you notice a dip in your 0-60?

[Red07SSNA]

The only way your 0-60 time would be affected would be if you get too large a tire on 17" rims. Check with the company that provides the wheels you want and ask them what size tire you need to keep the tire diameter the same -- or close to the same. If you end up with a "SLIGHTLY" smaller diameter tire overall maybe you'll pick up a 10th of a second. Also, the 17" wheels will probably be lighter then 15" steelies so that will help since you will have a little less weight to turn.

Remember going to a larger size wheel (rim) at the same time you get a tire with shorter sidewall the overall diameter will stay nearly the same.

[BlackBalt]

Originally Posted by roccityknomad

I have 18's on my Ls and i love them. A larger wheel allows for a wider tire and better contact patch. Better contact patch = better traction.

Yeah but the LS Cobalt only has like 150hp stock...not really gonna spin tires unless you're trying or launching hard.

BlackBalt added 1 Minutes and 47 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by Red07SSNA

The only way your 0-60 time would be affected would be if you get too large a tire on 17" rims. Check with the company that provides the wheels you want and ask them what size tire you need to keep the tire diameter the same -- or close to the same. If you end up with a "SLIGHTLY" smaller diameter tire overall maybe you'll pick up a 10th of a second. Also, the 17" wheels will probably be lighter then 15" steelies so that will help since you will have a little less weight to turn.

Remember going to a larger size wheel (rim) at the same time you get a tire with shorter sidewall the overall diameter will stay nearly the same.

How is that? Lower weight wheels are easier to accelerate...same idea as a lightweight flywheel. Stock 15's steelies weight like 17-18 lbs, pretty light...most aftermarket 17's aren't that light unless they're low pressure cast shotpeened or forged which would allow them to use less material.

[Red07SSNA]

Originally Posted by BlackBalt

How is that? Lower weight wheels are easier to accelerate...same idea as a lightweight flywheel. Stock 15's steelies weight like 17-18 lbs, pretty light...most aftermarket 17's aren't that light unless they're low pressure cast shotpeened or forged which would allow them to use less material.

Not difficult to find 18 lb aluminum wheels, and the shorter sidewall tires can provide a little more weight savings. Primarily the ratio isn't affected as much by a bigger rim since the shorter tire just makes it nearly the same overall diameter.

[SilverStreak]

honestly any time you are going up in wheel size it's all about looks. I wouldn't go any larger than 17's... b/c 18's are heavy for sure

personally... if I could ditch these 18's I would.

[Montecarloman]

I have weighed the stock steel without a tire before, it was 15 lbs. The only 17" wheel I have found that even comes close to that are Motegi Tracklights (14 lbs). Everything else that is marked as a "light weight" wheel and weighs 18 to 20 lbs if not more. Also most 17" tires weigh a few lbs more than the stock 15's but I have found BFG G-force sports only weigh about a pound more each. That combined with the pound savings on the Tracklight means you have a 17x7 wheel and tire combo that weighs about the same as stock 15x6's. Next month The Tracklights are going to pry bout $1600 out of my wallet and look damn good doing it.

[mind4engineering]

Originally Posted by BlackBalt

Yeah but the LS Cobalt only has like 150hp stock...not really gonna spin tires unless you're trying or launching hard.

or if your tires suck

[gibsonj4]

to give u an idea Mine are 17's and they way 19lbs a piece so roughly a pound over stock. I don't notice a difference at all but traction and the ride is better.