18 vs 20 " rims

[AeR0]

so ive got a set of 18" rims and was considering selling them to buy 20" rims.. any advantages of doing so for handling?

[Matt95GT]

Advantages? I would actually say disadvantage due to increase in unsprung weight. You're not going to get any improvement due to less sidewall flex like you do going from stock 15"/16" to 17"/18".

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by Matt95GT
Advantages? I would actually say disadvantage due to increase in unsprung weight. You're not going to get any improvement due to less sidewall flex like you do going from stock 15"/16" to 17"/18".

I could not agree more. In most circumstances you will decrease performance in all aspects. More unsprung weight, higher rotating mass. Slower acceleration, slower braking, higher fuel consumption, and worse bump damping. Extremely large wheels are for looks and looks alone, they are not a performance modification.

[AeR0]

tru ... i look at my 18" rims and think wow they look small....

maybe thats why i want 20" rims lol

[sunrunner_pei]

Go bigger if you wish, just understand the tradeoffs. :)

[cardude007617]

maybe look at 19s if you must go bigger, but grand ams arent meant for 20s much less 19s really....but i guess 19s would be a comprimise

[AeR0]

yeah i sorta want to keep my car awesome for handling...

im trying to get the strut bars from z-spec and im going to get a front and rear sway bars from pfyc.

lower the car with canuck motorsports springs on kyb gr2 struts with new mounts.

what do u think of that?

[Bouchie11982]

:banghead:


Originally posted by cardude007617
maybe look at 19s if you must go bigger, but grand ams arent meant for 20s much less 19s really....but i guess 19s would be a comprimise
yea, as i PMed you before, go with noting higher then 19's or 20's

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by AeR0
yeah i sorta want to keep my car awesome for handling...

im trying to get the strut bars from z-spec and im going to get a front and rear sway bars from pfyc.

lower the car with canuck motorsports springs on kyb gr2 struts with new mounts.

what do u think of that?

I think that's solid plan... if you keep 18's.

[AeR0]

yeah i think its a solid plan too!

[RazorDX]

IMO 20" wheels are goofy looking on a GA. Your plan of lowering and adding strut braces would be a more practical use of your money.

[ancona46]

on a grand am IMO its 18"s or stock

17"s look too small and anything bigger then 18" looks like a donk

[AeR0]

yeah i agree too!

thanks for the reassurance guys.

[ramairgt1]

I have 20's on my stang and cant agree more with everyone else
plus 20's on a ga is wrong :lol:

[03graystone]

i had 20s on my Grand am 2003, and they looked very nice, but they handle like shit especially on tiny tires. i downgraded in size to 18x8, and i love the handling. they look very good, plus will look better once i throw in some canuck springs like you plan to do also. i have a bodykit also, im suprised my 18s dont look too small. it depends what tire you get also. i now have a 225.40.18, i coulve gone wider but this is fine.

[AeR0]

yeah ive got 225.40.18 on my ride too right now!


so basically after you have done strut bars, sway bars rims and tires and lowering springs its about as far as u can go with these cars eh

[03graystone]

yeah i think, all im doing is springs, and maybe a front strut bar. thats all i need to do, im gonna be careful with the bodykit on hills and shit also. i actually measured today about 2" drop, on wheelwells and sides and front bumper, im gonna be LOOOWWW it will be fun avoiding shit! lol but it will look sweet

[VanishingImage]

yea staying with 18's is gonna be your best bet and you'll be happy you did.

Like Alex said,some 20's look good,his did but handling and for everyday use,just not all that practical IMO. If you really want performance try to find some light weight 18's if your looking for different ones.

Id love to get some Volks but paying over 200 a wheel right now isn't in my budget. Then again each wheel is like only 17lbs or so

[AeR0]

Originally posted by VanishingImage
If you really want performance try to find some light weight 18's if your looking for different ones.

Id love to get some Volks but paying over 200 a wheel right now isn't in my budget. Then again each wheel is like only 17lbs or so



LOL funny you say that b/c ive got 18" centerline dynos on my car right now! they are like 16-17 lbs! and ive got a yokohama 40 series on there

[Nighthawk243]

Pfft... 20's are small.

You need to go with 48's ;).

[VanishingImage]

Originally posted by AeR0
LOL funny you say that b/c ive got 18" centerline dynos on my car right now! they are like 16-17 lbs! and ive got a yokohama 40 series on there

nice!