View Poll Results: What size rims do you have?
15" or below
8
11.59%
16"
12
17.39%
17"
33
47.83%
18"
11
15.94%
19" or above
5
7.25%
Voters: 69. You may not vote on this poll
Best rim size for maximum performance?
Best rim size for maximum performance?
I know that getting performance tires is probably more important than the rim size. And I know that weight is also a major issue.
Having said that, which rim size would be best suited for best performance? Or is it all show?
Having said that, which rim size would be best suited for best performance? Or is it all show?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 176
Most europian tunners would tell you not to larger then a 17" wheel. German's are highly reguarded for there engineering skills, and most feel a 17" rim w/ a 40 series tire is the best overall performance set up. But in my opinion 19's look way nicer. Especially since Maxima's have huge wheel well gap's in the first place. Unless you planning on driving canyons everyday or racing the slaloom course I'd say go with 19" wheels. You shouldn't have any rubbing issues if you get the correct offset on your rims. I think stock is 35mm. I hope that helps you out.......
Originally Posted by slammed95
Bottom line is wide 17's with wide tires are the best for all around performance. Unless your drag racing only, in which case you have the wrong car to begin with!
x 999~limsandy
Originally Posted by slammed95
16's are just too small for good cornering, the sidewall will be flexing too much.
Originally Posted by slammed95
Not true, I have 17's and they clear the AP Racing brakes. This is the biggest kit available, so any other brakes would fit even easier.
Given the maxima's size, weight distribution, and power level, 17" wheels will be the best performing size. Considering the tires size we have to use, very few 18's will have good enough comliance and grip. 16's are just too small for good cornering, the sidewall will be flexing too much. To use 19's and keep the proper tire diameter, we need to use sidewalls that are too small and stiff, and it will skip across bumps and any road imperfections.
Bottom line is wide 17's with wide tires are the best for all around performance. Unless your drag racing only, in which case you have the wrong car to begin with!
Given the maxima's size, weight distribution, and power level, 17" wheels will be the best performing size. Considering the tires size we have to use, very few 18's will have good enough comliance and grip. 16's are just too small for good cornering, the sidewall will be flexing too much. To use 19's and keep the proper tire diameter, we need to use sidewalls that are too small and stiff, and it will skip across bumps and any road imperfections.
Bottom line is wide 17's with wide tires are the best for all around performance. Unless your drag racing only, in which case you have the wrong car to begin with!
so are the 17s you have lighter the the stock 17s on 2001 se?
Not DAVEB the parts guy
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,549
For best street performance, lightweight 16X7.5 or 16X8 with a set of summer rated 225/50s are the ticket. Believe me, I had 16X7.5 Kosei K1s (15lbs) with W-rated summer rubber and the handling was killer. So was the launch capability of setup. I never had to change out my rims at the track either because the setup was 4lbs lighter than my 15" sawblades. I now have lightweight 17s with W-rated summer rubber and they don't handle as good as the 16" setup nor are they as good at launching. The 17s can get darty and break loose to easy whereas the 16s introduce better control at the limit. I could drive my Max far harder with the 16s. I decided to go back to 17s because I wanted some more looks and planned on getting 15" drag radials.
Look at Ceasar. He's running superlight 16s and 225/50s.
Dave
Look at Ceasar. He's running superlight 16s and 225/50s.
Dave
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 995
I don't know what a 01 stock 17 weighs but I would guess around 20lbs poss more... the stock 16" SE wheels from the 4 gen are over 19lbs..... the Enkei RPF1's on "slammed95"s car should be right under 16lbs .....17"x9" +35 is 15.8lbs if I rember correctly.....
I agree with BEJAY1. Even though 17" and up look really nice on a max, they are waaay to heavy and even if they weigh the same as 16's, the weight distribution is different, it's further from the hub which makes the car less responsive. Now, lightweight 17's wouldn't be too bad if they weren't too expensive, and they would look better, but I may eventually switch to lightweight 16's for better performance. BTW, I have 19 lb 17's right now and they handle much better than stock, but they slow my car down alot. Just look at the size and weight difference this way: we spend extra money and time just trying to take weight off the flywheel and UDP, then why do we want to add that much weight and slow down our cars with 18's and 19's. I think it is a toss-up between lightweight 17's if money is not an option and 16's. You would just have to choose between looks and maybe a little better handling with the 17's and more power to the ground and responsiveness with 16's. That's my $.02
IMO acceleration is the most important factor in "maximum performance". 13" brakes combined with a 17" wheel is gonna kill that aspect of performance. I can go along with a light 17" tire/wheel combo but big brakes are a waste for 99% of rides. Skip the big brakes and worry about pads, lines, and stock size rotor construction instead.
I am putting 300ZX twin turbo rotors and calipers on this coming week with the Green Stuff pads. I have 16 inch rims with 225/50 Z rated Cooper I think it should be a pretty nice set up. I'll tell you in about 2 weeks how it is.
for 4th gens....16x8
for 5th gens, since there is a bit more power to handle increased rotational mass, 17x8 or 8.5 are ideal for combination of handling and acceleration, provided you get a wheel with weight under 16-17 lbs or so.
whoever said 18s or 19s...smoking crack. There are no performance benefits to 18s. They are just for looks.
for 5th gens, since there is a bit more power to handle increased rotational mass, 17x8 or 8.5 are ideal for combination of handling and acceleration, provided you get a wheel with weight under 16-17 lbs or so.
whoever said 18s or 19s...smoking crack. There are no performance benefits to 18s. They are just for looks.
Originally Posted by irish44j
for 4th gens....16x8
for 5th gens, since there is a bit more power to handle increased rotational mass, 17x8 or 8.5 are ideal for combination of handling and acceleration, provided you get a wheel with weight under 16-17 lbs or so.
for 5th gens, since there is a bit more power to handle increased rotational mass, 17x8 or 8.5 are ideal for combination of handling and acceleration, provided you get a wheel with weight under 16-17 lbs or so.
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