i really want 19"s but the only problem is that i can't stop speedin, so are 18"s better if i'm going to race people or are 19"s still competent. i was thinkin bout the racing hart M5, 3 piece, but i would like to know if anyone know if they are still light for 19", would 19"s slow me down, would 18"s; your opionin or info is much appreciatied.

Henry

 

THEY FEEL JUST A LITTLE MORE HEAVY THEN THE 17'S. MAYBE ABOUT 5LBS OR SO PER RIM. I MEAN YOU ARE GETTING 2 MORE INCHES OF RIM. IF YOUR GONNA RACE I WOULD GO WITH 18'S PLUS IF YOUR AT HIGH SPEEDS AND HIT A POT HOLE WITH 19'S SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR RIM CUZ ON 19'S YOU HAVE TO RUN A 35 PROFILE.

 

O I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WHEN I PUT ON MY 19'S IT FEELS LIKE I LOSE A LITTLE POWER DUE TOT THE INCREASE IN WEIGHT. I THINK MY 19'S WEIGHT 5-7 LBS MORE.

 

19's are still competitive as long as they are light, but the greater the size of the wheel is the longer it takes to turn, therefore making it slower. 18's would be better if your gonna race. you could do 19's but if you do, watch out for those nasty potholes.

 

WELL IF YOU GO 235 35 R19 THEN THATS THE EXACT SAME TOTAL DIAMETER AS STOCK. THERE IS NO EXTRA ROLLING DISTANCE. THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD CAUSE YOU TO GO SLOWER THEN IS THE INCREASE IN WEIGHT.

 

i remember reading something on this...and yeah that keeps your speedo the same but there is something that has to do with revolutions and the size of the rim. im not sure?

 

CHECK THIS WEBSITE OUT AND ENTER IN THE SPECS, THIS SHOULD ANSWER YOUR QUESTION AND THE REVOLUTIONS ARE ALMOST EXACT.
STOCK= 215 50 R17 OFFSET=55
19'S= 235 35 R19 OFFSET=51

http://www.tolan-hoechst.com/cars/tirecalc.htm

 

19's are no good for racing. No because they are heavier because its larger with a larger radius up front and out cars are front wheel drive so its harder and takes longer for them to rotate. If you got 19's then just pimp them DONT RACE with them. wanna race get some 17 oe 18 up front then you will have a semi race set up.

BG

 

I agree, If you want better handling ..etc...stay with 17's or even 16's which are light on weight

 

ok, do you got a picture of your car, i wanna see the black tail lights, i never even thought of that for a TL.

 

i dont know why you guys are talking about diameter if you do the math 215 50 r17 is the EXACT diameter as 235 35 r19. so there for rolling distance is the same. the only thing that will slow you down now is the increase in weight due to the increase in rim width ans size.

 

All this talk about speed... don't forget about breaking too. I've read some tread about better stopping with bigger wheels, but I have 19" wheels and I think it took some stopping power away. Maybe it's in my head, but it sure feels like it takes a little longer to stop or slow down. In fact I bought my wheels off of someone who had it on his Accord, and one of the reasons why he sold them was because of the breaking. Accords have a lot smaller brakes than our TL.

 

Not just weight, but you have to factor in the width (rolling resistance and less aerodynamic), if you get a wider wheel.
Does anyone know if the weight of the tire would matter? I mean, if I have a 26 lb. 17" wheel with a 23 lb. tire, what will the tire weigh on a 19" wheel? If the majority of the weight is on the outer portion (tire), wouldn't it make the car work harder to turn it?

 

Don't forget the extra weight of the bigger tire too. Bigger tire = more rubber, rubber's NOT a light material (Hmmmmmmm I'm starting to wonder why I got 19" wheels... LOL). That's why if you're going with 19"s at least make sure they look good!!! Cause the more I think about it... and the more I read these "treads" 18"s would be a lot better size for performance. Don't get me wrong.... I love my wheels... and the whole set up (springs), it's just a good thing I'm NOT into racing, other than the occasional "gunnin' it" off the light to beat some BMW 528 or a Lexus IS300 (I can pretty much beat all the BMW 5 series except for 540 and of course the M5).

As for turning... the car handles better with wider tires... (at least in my opinion). Who was it that said "wider is better?" Dr. Ruth I think... LOL.

 

Also the contact patches of the four 235's with the pavement are also larger than the four 215's. As a result, more power is lost to overcome the increased friction of the tires. So the car will seem to be sluggish off the line, maybe not by much since our engine has more than enough low end torque.

 

Yes I read it b4 too that a 19" rim even though still the same diameter w/ tire, are definately slower You can just feel the difference right when you put them on. It's the width of the tire + weight of rims and tires + aerodynamics + that damn rule floating out there about the diameter of the rim (revolutions) or something The best set-up for racing would be to just get new tires on our 17" stocks or new 17" rims like the Racing Hart CP-035R (light a$$ rims) and then putting p-zero's or BFG G-force tires 225/45/zr17 or something like that your car w/ the RH's and p-zero's would feel damn amazing but for me I want the dope + slow looking 19" hope that helps.

 

Just get 19's.

If you want to be a true racer, get a Supra.

Case closed.

 

Maybe it's just me, but IMO, +1 upgrade is an "Upgrade", but +2 or more is "All Show & No Go".... :p

Andy Kuo

 

Very good point KEN, that's what it boils down 2

 

If you're just planning on pimpin, go with 18's or 19's...for racing, stick with a lighter set of 16's or 17's.
Ed

 

....BUT, you have to realize something... the stock wheel from the Type-S already IS +1, the non Type-S TLs have 16 wheels. But you're right... anything in the 18s and 19s are more for show.