Why go from a 17" to an 18" wheel?
- Thread starter PDCjonny
- Start date
94RT10Ohio
Enthusiast
Re: Why go from a 17
Looks? It may cool the brakes btter, that I can not confirm. I know with the stock 17s those calipers do not have much breathing room.
Looks? It may cool the brakes btter, that I can not confirm. I know with the stock 17s those calipers do not have much breathing room.
VIPER BAZ UK
Enthusiast
Re: Why go from a 17
Cheaper tyres and look like they fill the wheel arch more even though they don't,Or is that just me?..
Baz
Cheaper tyres and look like they fill the wheel arch more even though they don't,Or is that just me?..
Baz
Dv8tor
Viper Owner
Re: Why go from a 17
Looks a little better... Less tire flex, so better handling too. 17's or smaller are better for the 1/4 track though. Viper baz uk- I don't think 18's are cheaper though. More expensive actually.
Looks a little better... Less tire flex, so better handling too. 17's or smaller are better for the 1/4 track though. Viper baz uk- I don't think 18's are cheaper though. More expensive actually.
VIPER BAZ UK
Enthusiast
Re: Why go from a 17
Seem to remember a UK member saying they were cheaper(over here)...Could be wrong though
Seem to remember a UK member saying they were cheaper(over here)...Could be wrong though
Ron
Enthusiast
Re: Why go from a 17
One practical reason, larger rotors.
One practical reason, larger rotors.
ViperRay
Enthusiast
Re: Why go from a 17
Agree, larger rotors.
Agree, larger rotors.
SneakyPete
Enthusiast
Re: Why go from a 17
Big Brake Kit, Looks and tires are more expensive for the 18"
Big Brake Kit, Looks and tires are more expensive for the 18"
ruckdr
Enthusiast
Re: Why go from a 17
Looks: look at the pictures in my photo gallery (page 2)
Also, aren't 17" Pilots tires very hard to get? 18's are plentiful.
Later,
Looks: look at the pictures in my photo gallery (page 2)
Also, aren't 17" Pilots tires very hard to get? 18's are plentiful.
Later,
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Re: Why go from a 17
"Looks"
Gawd, help us we're turning into the Vette forum.
Performance and tire selection.
"Looks"
Gawd, help us we're turning into the Vette forum.Performance and tire selection.
Re: Why go from a 17
Only reason I can think of to go from the 17" to the 18" wheel is because either 1) you like the looks of certain 18" wheels, and/or 2) you need the 1/2" more room to handle larger rotors/calipers.
My personal favorite stock Viper wheel from a looks standpoint is the 18" "wide-five-spoke" wheel they start putting on in '98 or '99. I wanted to buy a set of these for my '95 RT when they came out, but spending around $4500 (wheels AND tires) for just looks didn't fit into my budget. I was able to finally get them with my '00 RT.
HOWEVER, from what I understand, the "wide-five-spoke" 18" stock Viper wheel offers significantly less brake cooling than the old 17" "narrow-five-spoke" and GenI three-spoke wheels, which is really only an issue on the track. And, if you have an '01 or '02 with ABS, you can't use a 17" wheel anyway without shaving at least one bolt off, which probably isn't an option.
I use a set of GenII 17" "narrow-five-spoke" wheels for my track tires, partly because 1) I had them already, 2) the tires are cheaper than their 18" models, and 3) because of the aforementioned brake cooling issue.
Only reason I can think of to go from the 17" to the 18" wheel is because either 1) you like the looks of certain 18" wheels, and/or 2) you need the 1/2" more room to handle larger rotors/calipers.
My personal favorite stock Viper wheel from a looks standpoint is the 18" "wide-five-spoke" wheel they start putting on in '98 or '99. I wanted to buy a set of these for my '95 RT when they came out, but spending around $4500 (wheels AND tires) for just looks didn't fit into my budget. I was able to finally get them with my '00 RT.
HOWEVER, from what I understand, the "wide-five-spoke" 18" stock Viper wheel offers significantly less brake cooling than the old 17" "narrow-five-spoke" and GenI three-spoke wheels, which is really only an issue on the track. And, if you have an '01 or '02 with ABS, you can't use a 17" wheel anyway without shaving at least one bolt off, which probably isn't an option.
I use a set of GenII 17" "narrow-five-spoke" wheels for my track tires, partly because 1) I had them already, 2) the tires are cheaper than their 18" models, and 3) because of the aforementioned brake cooling issue.
