I have seen published 0-60 (6.7secs) and 1/4mile (15.1) figures for a Maxima SE 5sp. But those figures were for 16" wheels, before the 17" was available.
Does anyone know the figures for 17" wheels, and should they be better?

 

No I haven't, but i wouldn't think they would be any different. The overall wheel/tire diameter should be the same (the 17" wheel has a lower profile tire mounted to it, whereas the 16" wheel has a higher profile tire mounted to it) so I'm willing to bet there wouldn't be any difference.

It's kind of funny, If our cars had 14" wheels with low profile tires they would be ugly, but they would accellerate faster (less wheel diameter to turn)

 

you might notice a slight difference but actually on the slower side. The 17" could possibly weigh more than the 16" unless you get a racing wheel. That extra weight per wheel would make a difference in the speed. I would suspect any huge differnce in #'s but maybe a little. It all has the do with the inertia. More energy/horsepower is needed to turn heavier wheels thereby raising the time need to get from point a to b.

The larger diamater wheel is used to give better steering response. A 18" wheel tire combination (assuming correct plus sizing) will steer "quicker" b/c there is less flex in the sidewall of the tire as compared to a 16" wheel tire combo.

This larger diameter rims should not help any straight line acceleration, unless it's weight is less than your previous rim.

 

I was under the impression that the larger wheels will increase the 0-60, but decrease the 1/4 mi times. In any case, the difference may not be very noticeable.

 

also the main reason that they use such large rims and low profile tires on race cars and stuff is cause if the tire blows (especially in the front) then the drop to the rim isnt as big and would less like cause u to flip over at high speeds...

 

I am sure you are correct. I thought that the larger the wheel, a single rotation of the axle would result in more distance covered, and therfore a quicker movement. Is that wrong? I understand that low profile tires counters the larger wheels.

 

otter'sMAX comments above were right on the money. The 17" wheels should actually slow the car down a bit. 0-60 and 1320' times will react similarly (ie both should take more time). This is due to the increased weight AND also the fact that the weight is farther away from the center of the wheel on the 17" wheels (only, 0.5" but farther none-the-less). These facts make the 17" wheels harder to spin. These differences will be very subtle and might not even be measurable on a dyno or at the strip. It depends on how much weight difference we are talking about.

Also, most cars are not geared for acceleration. They are geared for fuel economy. So, manufacturers want low RPMs at highway cruising speeds. Because of these taller gear setups, acceleration is not as good. I fully agree that our cars would run faster with low profile 14" wheels than with our current setup. It had better though, so you can speed away from all of the people laughing at you!!!

The smaller diameter wheels would essentially shorten your gearing ratio, providing greater acceleration. And martinf, the 17" wheels would provide more distance per rotation, which in that sense would make them faster (ie potentially higher top speed if you had enough HP to be gearing limited in top end - which we don't), but not quicker.

 

yes, 17" wheels are quite a bit heavier than the 16 or 15" wheels...i have taken my wheels on and off numerous times and my guess is that they weigh between 25 and 30 pounds (not sure exactly though)...it has been proven at the track...for automatic transmissions, i have the fastest 1/4 mile time for someone w/ 17" wheels, but i have only the 3rd fastest auto time...mingo has the fastest auto time w/ a 15.333 but he had 16" wheels and his full interior stripped...and paul got something like a 15.4x w/ 16" wheels and a full interior...i got a 15.6 which is the fastest time for an automatic w/ 17" wheels so, the track proves that 17" wheels defenitely slow you down quite a bit (at least these...they weigh a lot)...when i get new rims they will most likely be 17x8's or 18x8's and i will try to go w/ something very lightweight, but it also has to look pretty good (i'm not going to settle w/ something that looks like $&(t

 

I must say after putting those sweet lookin MOMO ARROW's, as heavy as they're, nearly 35lbs each, it slowed me down, but not as bad as I thought it would.

 

To add to Zach's comments... I weighed my 16" SE rims and they are fairly light. Just under 19 pounds. I've seen some performance 17" wheels that are 14 pounds. If I had more money...