Wheels and weight question ...

I will have the standard 16" alloys on an N/A supra when i pick it up next week. How much does it affect the handling/performance by upgrading to 17" set of wheels?I think i read somewhere that performance can be affected ...?

I have always maintained a MKIV on stock 16 inch rims and decent tyres is the nicest of the bunch. PROPER seventeen inch rims will have a small degradation on ride and handling. IMPROPER seventeen inch rims and tyres will see a big fall in handling and ride. Eighteen inch rims can work "OK", but nineteen inch rims and tyres are plain nasty without major supporting mods, IMO.

Chris, what do you look for in a GOOD wheel exactly? Forged? closest offest to stock? etc

Thank you Chris, but can you explain why the stock 16" wheels are the best in your opinion. Wouldnt larger wheels hold the road better?

We need to know more please:)

Anyone?

I've been wondering this myself. If you put on larger wheels, you get lower profile tyres, so the rolling radius should be unaffected, shouldn't it? I guess this results in less damping through the rubber, but is that what causes poorer handling with larger wheels?

Or is it because bigger wheels weigh more? But if the wheels did weigh more, wouldn't that actually lower the CoG of the car and result in better handling?

Sorry... Just curious.

I did a detailed post on this ages ago, I think it could be found with a search, try "gyroscopic precession"

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=5550&highlight=gyroscopic+precession

Some very interesting reading there

Thanks a lot Chris for the info. So do you suggest I stick with the stock 16" wheels instead of upgrading to the stock 17" turbo alloys, or any other 17" alloys for that matter, as there wont be any difference?

There's nothing at all wrong with the 16 inch rims unless you want to run UK or other bigger brakes. Tyres are cheaper in 16 inch, so you can afford to buy decent rubber for it If I had another MKIV and was keeping the J-Spec brakes I'd definitely run the stock rims in 16 inch. I don't like very low profile tyres on most road cars.

I've just read that other stuff Chris. Good stuff, thanks.

However, I've already got a second of 18s coming from Japan, as I don't like the looks of the stock wheels. I might fit some stronger roll bars (?) as I presume this might help compensate for the lack of camber control on the lower profile tyres.

Other than that, fingers crossed my handling wont be much worse. I'm loving how the car handles at the moment.