I am picking up the 18" OEM's in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if anyone has any experience comparing the performance drop when going to the 18's? I have had my 17's (with snow tires) for 2 months now (about 5000 miles) and I am afraid the 18's will degrade the acceleration and braking of the car. I know it will technically, but is it in any way noticable? I have a 6spd.

Of course I realize the summer tires will be immensely better than the snows, but I want to hear from someone who has driven months on one size then switched to the other.

 

the sticky tires should help you out the 17's are 24lbs and the 18's are 29lbs. so the added weight might offset the sticky tires.

 

That is my concern...that 5 pounds is located 0.5" further from then center giving you a much higher moment of inertia. I am concerned about my acceleration dropping. I am not too worried about braking because the sticky's will be way better and those Brembos seem like they could stop an F-350 towing a horse trailer without even getting warm.

 

18's are 29 pounds - packaged. I have seen posts that state the 18's are within a pound of the 17's. I have my set in the mail and I can let you know when they get here...

Keep in mind that A-spec cars with the 18" wheels are posting times at least as fast (actually faster) as cars with 17" wheels . I think you'll be in good shape.

 

I was thinking the same thing about the posted accel times on the a-spec, sot hat must be good...unless the more firm suspension some how keeps the front wheels planted better.....just a wild thought.

Did you order them from that dealer in CA?

 

This is definitely a possiblity. The stiffer suspension will lessen the weight transfer to the rear and keep more of it in the front...which is where it is need in our cars fro good acceleration. However, the opposite is true for RWD cars. In fact, Tokico struts recommends drag racers to soften the rear adjustable struts, which they make, to allow for more weight transfer to the rear to improve times.

dsc888

 

Good point. I can imagine that the tighter suspension also helps braking by keeping more load on the back tires.

Does anyone know if only the suspension for the A-spec can be ordered and installed. That is the only item from the spec kit that I am seriously interested in.

 

Yes, Aegir ordered via the group buy. If you're interested let me know ASAP. I don't think the 18s will affect the rate of acceleration much -- on my car, I think the sticky tires actually make it accelerate better!

 

what was the final price you paid for the rims?

 

You are right on the braking also. Given that the TL has electronic brake proportioning, the car will brake well and slightly better with a stiffer suspension. The rear tire will have a bigger contact patch and assist more versus a softer suspension where the fronts are handling more load. Now this is true only in moderate and extreme braking where there is significant weight transfer.

As for the purchasing the A-spec suspension, you may have to wait till Acura sells the parts separately. You can buy the Comptech springs now and have someone put them in but you are still stuck with the stock struts which will wear out sooner. If I were you, I would upgrade struts only or struts then springs. Doing only the struts will maintain more of the stock ride on most roads but will reduce brake dive and acc. lift and rolls on turns. It is good for those who don't want to reduce the ride height to prevent scraping the undercarriage on curbs and parking cement blocks. The decision is really up to you. Good luck.

dsc888

 

For you up in WA it'll probably be right around $1000-$1015. (It's $50 shipping to Nor Cal, and you're technically the same region I think). I also had to pay tax so I ended up paying around $1080.

 

Yep, best price I've seen outside the group buy was 1000. You could get them under 1100 shipped from the same dealer. If you can get the group price you could get them for about 1000 shipped to WA.

 

Who is the contact at Norm Reeves? My dealer will sell them to me for 1050, but I will have to pay tax (about $90).

 

Me -- technically. You'll need to give me your name, email, and payment method (check, money order, CC, or PayPal) and I'll send your name in the list to Norm Reeves. The next list is going out tomorrow.

Then you call them and tell them you're on the group buy list. They'll look you up, and then process your order at the $950 price.

Read the GROUP BUY: 18" Wheels thread for more info.

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showt...ight=group+buy