Was reading this interesting article in the shoptalk sectionof this forum and came across this article:
https://maxima.org/modules.php?name=30_comparisons

Sucks to be a 5th Gen with 17" wheels ( which includes me :'( )

My question: How does the different wheels in the 5.5 Gens affect the their performance?

 

buy newe rims and move on, thats the best thing i nca think of

 

Not enough to worry about 4/5Gs beating the 5.5G without mods.

 

the 2002 maxima wheels are virtually identical to the 00-01 wheels......

 

but the 2002-3, has a 3.5 lit with a 30 hp gain.

still... i would like new rims now... good links/prices?

 

Doesn't seem like the 3.5s have a problem...

Actually though, I'm no expert but seems like there's a flaw in the analysis. Once past a certain speed (I'd guess 50 mph or so?), you'd think that the horsepower to drag ratio is more important than HP to weight. IIRC, wind drag is a much bigger hit than weight once you reach a certain velocity.

So IF the 5th gens have a better power to drag ratio than 4th gens, the curve could be quite different.

 

Putting lightweight 15" on a 2002-2003 6-speed = one fast ****

 

That would be an interesting test. Take your max to the track and run it 3 times with 18s, 3 times with 17s, and 3 times with 16s. All this with the same max, same conditions, same driver, same track--but different wheels.

 

i read somewhere sometime (cloudy memory here on a friday night) that the smaller the wheels the faster the car due to faster revolution, it's why rally cars have smallerl rims. hmm maybe one to many stoli's tho...

 

2k2-2k3 Maxima Se 6psd = Fastest Production Maxima EVER built, PERIOD

 

15's wouldn't have enough clearance over our huge disc brakes... 16's would fit though... And it would still be one fast ****!!

 

Smaller rims do nothing. What will affect the performace is the overall tire diameter, which will only affect the gearing. A smaller one will gear the car lower, so while it may be slightly quicker accelerating, the top speed will be slower. As for rally cars, they have small wheels because they race offroad and need more room for give in the tires for rocks and jumps and stuff like that. If you watch them race a stage on tarmac they will have 17" or 18" wheels.

 

02 SE 6spd

 

Um... thanks... ?

Care to elaborate a little more here? I'm not following your posts...

 

no not really

 

.....

 

Okay... thanks... just thought I'd ask...

 

..........

 

Does anyone here have one of those rare 02-03 GXEs?? If so, have they run that at the track? I'm kinda curious as to how quick they are relative to the rest of the 5.5Gs.

 

I have been thinking about lightweight 16s for a while, but might end up going with LW 17s so I can jsut switch my tires over becuase I am cheap

 

I had 15" steelies on my 01 GXE 5spd from the factory, problem with 90% of the Maxima driver's is they are cheap, they don't wanna spend 2K dollars (no tires) on lightweight wheels, but reather get cheapo 18 or 19 wheels- cough cough EVO5s and Axis wheels... these things weight even MORE than the stock 17". I think stock Maxima wheels are fuggly, they make me think of the Max- girl with big'O azz but chicken legs. The wheels are tucked in too far on the back and it looks fuqed up.

 

Absolutely incorrect. For the 2002-2003, there are several 15" wheels that fit just fine. Kosei K1 15x7 (or maybe it's 15x6), and there's plenty of clearance. And yes, the car launches like a scalded dog with those on...

 

 

^^ i'd love to see a race from a roll. i thought 1/4 trap speeds for 6th gens were high. i seriously wouldnt be surprised if a 6th gen pulled on us on the freeway. either way it's all about the 5.5 gen right?? sportier, sexier, "faster", japanese lol.. i love my car it's sad. after two years of ownership i have no desire to have anything else

 

02-03 GXEs have 16s, yes the standard 16 rims from the 00-01 SE, but they only come in Automatic, only the SEs are manual

 

How much can lighter wheels actually increase performance??? Thanks.

 

The smaller the diameter of the wheel and the lighter it is reduces centrifugal mass, meaning it is easier to spin and spins faster with the same given amount of force exerted upon it. In short, it doesn't take as much HP to make the wheel do one RPM with a lighter and smaller wheel as opposed to a heavier one. You are able to exert more force for possibly more leverage and accelerate faster...

Got it ?

 

Larrio has some dyno charts with diff size and weight wheels, and the wheels DO make a diff in HP and 1/4 mile. Having has 5 diff wheels on my Maxima rangin up to 18" that weight 28lbs each, down to 15" wheels- OEM, I can tell ya- LIGHT IS BETTER. Yeah its expenssive, but the good light wheels are downright sexy.

 

"To owners with the heavy 17" rims, don't feel too badly. Your cars have a lot of potential, but most of it is being eaten up by the rims when you try to accelerate. If you're displeased with the performance you're getting, seriously consider switching to some lighter rims. "

Time for some new rims.... anyone wan't to buy some slightly used 17" rims?