18 vs. 19 wheel and tire debate.

[fiveoboy01]

I am shopping new wheels and there are a lot of choices out there.

I have it nailed down to something Apex in an 18 or 19x11 size.

I've read a lot on the 18/19 debate and it seems like the consensus is 18" for HPDE stuff and 19" for AutoX, just given tire size availability. But a lot of those threads are old, 4-5 years or more, and I'm wondering how much tires have changed and what CURRENT choices dictate for wheel size.

Car is street driven plenty, and I'd like to try some AutoX stuff this coming season. Seems like a 200TW tire might be the best compromise. Also not ruling out HPDE and an R Comp tire, but I know enough to know they are not a good street tire choice. (I do like to drive the twisties, but it's conservative driving)

Do today's available tire sizes make wheel choice less important? There's a significant delta in price 18 to 19 inch for a forged wheel. Obviously there's a difference in the price of the tire as well, sometimes significant. Flow formed is an option I know, but aesthetically I don't know that I like them as much. Still working through that in my head with a smaller wheel too(I have OEM PP wheels now).

Thanks for any input. I wish I was rich. I'd just buy a couple sets of each.

ETA yes I have read Apex' article on this subject. It's from 2019 though.

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[saleen367]

My advice to you is not to overthink it. The article is from 2019 but still holds true to today. The only significant change is tire compounds and which brand has the best performer that season, because it could very well change next season. Rules dictate what class you can run in and what tires are available in that class.

Unless you are a seasoned driver with lots of sessions under your belt, you'll never notice flow formed vs forged. Think of the wheel as a means of function. They don't have to look fantastic, they just have to perform. If what you really want is nice wheels for the street that look incredible but also work for an occasional autocross or HPDE, then none of the above matters. Being competitive in autocross can be expensive. Having fun, not as much.

Remember a square setup will require extended studs and camber plates, so be prepared for that.

I would suggest finding an autocross nearby and trying it bone stock to see if you like it. Otherwise, Black Hawk Farms is close for an HPDE event to get your feet wet. HPDE isn't a competition, so realistically you can show up with anything safe, on a speed rated tire and go have fun.

 

[fiveoboy01]

My advice to you is not to overthink it. The article is from 2019 but still holds true to today. The only significant change is tire compounds and which brand has the best performer that season, because it could very well change next season. Rules dictate what class you can run in and what tires are available in that class.

Unless you are a seasoned driver with lots of sessions under your belt, you'll never notice flow formed vs forged. Think of the wheel as a means of function. They don't have to look fantastic, they just have to perform. If what you really want is nice wheels for the street that look incredible but also work for an occasional autocross or HPDE, then none of the above matters. Being competitive in autocross can be expensive. Having fun, not as much.

Remember a square setup will require extended studs and camber plates, so be prepared for that.

I would suggest finding an autocross nearby and trying it bone stock to see if you like it. Otherwise, Black Hawk Farms is close for an HPDE event to get your feet wet. HPDE isn't a competition, so realistically you can show up with anything safe, on a speed rated tire and go have fun.

Thanks. Overthinking is one of my traits, not always a positive one.

RE different wheel construction... I understand my butt won't know the difference, it's just an aesthetic thing for me. If it was a pure track car, then function would take precedence, which would mean the cheapest wheels that worked, irregardless of how they looked. But, I'm not sure I need to give up aesthetics for function, but it may cost more...

I am aware of and planning for studs and spacers up front as well as plates and drilling out the tops of the strut towers.

I have a dozen or so bike track days at Blackhawk under my belt, so I'm a little bit familiar with some of the aspects of HPDE type activities.

Sounds like not a ton has changed over the years so I'll probably make my mind up on wheels, throw some RT660s on it and go learn how to drive.

 

[Tulamore]

I recently pulled the trigger on a set of 19x11 apex wheels for HPDE. From what I can tell, the common advice is to pick the tire first and buy the set of wheels that fits that tire. From my research, there is more tire availability in the 19x11 space than the 18x11, and definitely a better selection in the 200tw category.

 

[GTP]

I've heard that 18" tire selection is larger and cost is lower than for 19". A low profile 18" tire will lower your gear ratio and your actual highway speed will show lower than actual (so no speeding tickets). It will also lower your car by 1/2". Both are completely fine at the track.

I would make sure any 18" wheel will clear brembo PP front brakes, bc you may put those on your car. Apex 18's are known to clear.

In my case I upgraded the brakes to GT350 and only 19" will clear those.

 

[fiveoboy01]

I recently pulled the trigger on a set of 19x11 apex wheels for HPDE. From what I can tell, the common advice is to pick the tire first and buy the set of wheels that fits that tire. From my research, there is more tire availability in the 19x11 space than the 18x11, and definitely a better selection in the 200tw category.

Overall there seem to be more 18” choices, but narrowed down to the sizes I’m seeking(305 or 315 section width) my research(specifically in the 200 category) has shown the opposite.

So, I am confused. Maybe I need to look at more tires. Some of them I haven’t even bothered to look at(aged out, don’t perform well compared to other offerings, etc)

 

[Ewheels]

I made this list maybe 6 months ago. There's about equal number of options for 18 vs 19. Just depends which tire you want to run, really. Generally 19's are a tad bit more expensive too.
I think the biggest factor is if you plan to run IMSA slicks in which case 18s are your only option.

Tire	Width	Profile	Diameter	Price / Set	Class	Life	Notes
3R	305	30	19	$1,441.00	Comp		Cheapest Comp
A052	295	30	18	$1,707.00	Super 200
A052	295	35	19	$1,763.00	Super 200
A052	295	35	18	$1,851.00	Super 200
A052	315	30	18	$2,043.00	Super 200
A7	295	30	18	$2,064.00	Comp
A7	315	30	18	$2,124.00	Comp
A7	295	30	19	$2,300.00	Comp
A7	315	30	19	$2,712.00	Comp
AD09	295	30	19	$1,567.00	Endurance
AD09	295	30	18	$1,663.00	Endurance
AD09	295	35	18	$1,767.00	Endurance
CRS	295	30	18	$1,556.00	Super 200		Cheapest 200tw
CRS	295	35	18	$1,636.00	Super 200
CRS	295	30	19	$1,676.00	Super 200
CRS	305	30	19	$1,792.00	Super 200
CRS	315	30	18	$1,796.00	Super 200
Cup 2	305	30	19	$2,043.00	Super 200
Cup 2	295	35	19	$2,044.00	Super 200
Cup 2	315	30	19	$2,044.00	Super 200
ECS	295	30	19	$1,548.00	Endurance
ECS	295	30	18	$1,560.00	Endurance
ECS	315	30	18	$1,760.00	Endurance
ECS	315	30	19	$1,784.00	Endurance
N Fera R	315	30	18	$1,760.00	Super 200
N Fera R	305	30	19	$1,840.00	Super 200
R7	295	30	18	$2,064.00	Comp
R7	315	30	18	$2,124.00	Comp
R7	295	30	19	$2,300.00	Comp
R7	315	30	19	$2,712.00	Comp
RE71RS	295	30	18	$1,687.00	Super 200
RE71RS	295	35	18	$1,692.00	Super 200
RE71RS	305	30	19	$1,776.00	Super 200
Rival S 1.5	305	30	19	$1,569.00	Super 200
Rival S 1.5	315	30	18	$1,714.00	Super 200
RT660+	305	30	19	$1,688.00	Super 200
RT660+	295	35	19	$1,848.00	Super 200
RT660+	315	30	19	$1,854.00	Super 200
RT660+	315	30	18	$1,898.00	Super 200
SC3	295	30	19	$1,991.00	Super 200
SC3	305	30	19	$2,111.00	Super 200
Toyo R	295	30	18	$1,187.00	Endurance		Cheapest Endurance
Toyo R	295	30	19	$1,258.00	Endurance
Toyo R	305	35	18	$1,738.00	Endurance
Toyo R	315	30	18	$1,825.00	Endurance
V730	305	30	19	$1,406.00	Endurance

 

[Tulamore]

I must have been looking strictly at 305s. 295 will probably get the job done but I haven’t ran them. Can’t imagine 10mm making the world of difference to a casual lapper. I wonder why there is a lack of 305 options in 18s

 

[NightmareMoon]

I like the A052 the best and a little free lowering fits my needs as well, so 18+ got the nod (11” front and 12” rear), but generally there are (now) some good options in 19 with the new RE71 in 315x18 and 305x19.



flowformed, or spin forged construction effectively means a forged barrel with a cast face. Its heavier than a straight forged which can use thinner spokes for similar strength, but much lighter than a fullt cast wheel because the forged barrel can be made thinner/lighter. The A052 with a forged 18” wheel is stupid lightweight, as both the wheel and the tire are lightest in their class. Its shocking compared to a normal 200tw on a flowformed 19”.

as for 18 vs 19, if you arent competing and hunting every last 0.1 sec, then you can go either way.

 

[Ewheels]

I must have been looking strictly at 305s. 295 will probably get the job done but I haven’t ran them. Can’t imagine 10mm making the world of difference to a casual lapper. I wonder why there is a lack of 305 options in 18s

Could be a number of reasons for manufacturers. But there were several instances where a tire model was only available in one of the 295, 305, 315 sizes and not the rest.

 

[fiveoboy01]

Thanks for all who replied.

I ordered a set of Bronze SM-10RS 18x11 ET52 today.

 

[fiveoboy01]

Also, as a side note, I really like the SP2 wheels in bronze, I have read through a lot of the track car build threads here and they look good on @Ewheels car, but sadly they have been discontinued in that color.

 

[Ewheels]

Also, as a side note, I really like the SP2 wheels in bronze, I have read through a lot of the track car build threads here and they look good on @Ewheels car, but sadly they have been discontinued in that color.

That's ok, your Apex wheels will be substantially better than any SVE wheel.

 

[fiveoboy01]

That's ok, your Apex wheels will be substantially better than any SVE wheel.

Yeah, I’m aware it’s a better wheel, if the SVEs had been available I might have sprung just because of the price.

Really like the look of the 10RS though, kind of surprised they aren’t more common. Seems the VS5 is the much more popular forged wheel for the S550.

(Spun forged SM10 seems to be fairly popular though)

In the end I spent more than my initial budget, but 18” helped with that and aesthetically I just really like the thinner spokes better.

 

[saleen367]

I forgot to mention that used Apex sets are all over FB marketplace, but it looks like I'm late.

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