18 or 19 inch diameter for track wheels?

[wdv01]

I just started doing HPDEs and want to get dedicated wheels for the track. 18 or 19 inch...what do you guys recommend? I also wanted to start with 200tw tires and progress later on to r-comps. Tire selection seems to be broader for 19 inch wheels, but are the lighter 18 inch wheels better? Thanks in advance for your inputs.

wdv01

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[Grintch]

That's the rub. Lighter wheels are better giving the edge to 18's but tire (& wheel) selection is better in 19's.. Especially if you want to stay close the the OE tire diameter, and use 200TW tires.

Best thing is to consider the whole package, as killer wheels without suitable tires aren't so killer.

 

[Competition Orange]

I've always been a fan of the smallest wheels that'll clear the large brakes I've always had on my cars.

18s just look right, but they aren't cheap, only a few in 10"+ widths fit and they're about $1,250-1500 a set. You can get the 19x10s pretty dang cheap.

 

[c_reber]

I vote 19's especially if you have 3.73 gears. Most of the 19" tires are closer to stock diameter. Also, it seems like the 19 are usually cheaper.

 

[wdv01]

Thank you gentlemen for your replies. I'm leaning towards 19 inch wheels. I know there is a group buy feeler for Apex in 19 diameter wheels. Apex seems to have a good reputation in quality and durability. Does anyone use the offerings from MRR or SVE for track? From what I've read from other threads, these two are flow formed and are reasonably light.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Make sure they'll fit. Those PP front brakes are so big (15") that only a few 18" wheels seem to be able to fit over them. I've heard that lead times at Forgestar have gotten quite lengthy (their CF5 in 18" supposedly does fit the PP - if you can get them).


Norm

 

[Competition Orange]

Thank you gentlemen for your replies. I'm leaning towards 19 inch wheels. I know there is a group buy feeler for Apex in 19 diameter wheels. Apex seems to have a good reputation in quality and durability. Does anyone use the offerings from MRR or SVE for track? From what I've read from other threads, these two are flow formed and are reasonably light.

Lots of discussion on this topic in this section and the wheels section already, I suggest you do some searching.

People track with a wide variety of brands/models/sizes, you should be fine with almost anything you choose.

I'm leaning towards the SVE 19x11 square setup this coming winter for next season. Fits up front with a 20mm spacer, and with good camber, it doesn't poke at the top. There is a thread about these and the 6GR in same size in the wheels section.

 

[xXANCHORMONXx]

19s

Tire selection as far as going wide are scarce in 18

 

[SteveW]

I'd need more info on what you're looking to do with your track time before saying 18 or 19.

On 200tw if you plan to drive to/from the track on the same tires then 19s.

Then, If you only want to go up to 275/285s then I'd say 19s. That way you could drive the car on the street and maintain pretty good speedometer accuracy. With 275s 10" wide would be great but for 285s I'd recommend trying to go with 11" wide wheels.

There are a couple 305/30/19 tires out and that would require 11" wide wheels to make best use of the tire.

R-comps pretty much will require 18" wheels and if you don't want to buy another set of wheels when you switch to them then go with 18s. Up to 275 then a 10" wheel. 11" for wider tires.

If you want wider than 305 for a track worthy 200tw tire then it's 18s to run the BFGs or Falkens in 11" or wider wheels.

I'm pecking this out on my phone so likely missing a few good options or opinions but maybe this gives some stuff to think about and get back to us on.

 

[wdv01]

Thank you again for your responses. BTW, I have a '16 PP so 3.73 gears and 15" Brembos.

Norm, the APEX 18 inch wheels fit over PP brakes according to their website.

Competition Orange, I did some searching, yes sir. I guess I'm looking for a bit more info. The APEX 18 x 11 inch wheels group buy is on the payment stage. I was going to pull the trigger on that one, and then they came out with a feeler on 19 x 11s. The SVE 19 x 11 you're after though looks like a great deal.

RDP, I agree the 18" wheels if I can. I did some more research on tires currently available for 18" wheels and it's not too bad:
Hankook RS4 and Falken 615 RT? have 295/40-19 tires that are 200TW (27.1" overall diameter).
Toyo R888 and Nitto NT01 or NT05 for R-comps available in 305/35-18 (26.4" overall diameter)
Hoosier A7/R7 in 295/40-18 (27.1"), or 680/305-18 scrubs (26.77")
Obviously, more tire choices are available for 19 inch wheels.

Steve W, thanks for all the info you provided. Reason for getting wheels is to have a dedicated set for autox and HPDEs.

I guess now it's just down to my own preference.

Thanks again.

 

[SteveW]

Fyi on the 295/40/18 Azenis RT615K+...I called Tire Rack about that one and they said it hasn't even been produced yet. I think it was about 2 more months til they would be available.

 

[wdv01]

Thanks for the info on the Falkens Steve.

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