Tried out some 20" wheels today.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Dodge Viper - 1st versions 17" now 18"
Newer Corvettes - 17" and 18"
Ferrari - 18" up to 20"
Lamborghini - 18" and 19"

... too funny...

These cars, which you mention, were engineered using computers (go figure) from the factory, in design, weight, etc. to run the wheel size that they run. A Cobra was not.

Too funny.

[motordean]

15's all the way.........

[AL427SBF]

when one has to resort to Freud as a comeback the debate is over. go weigh a set of mounted 335/45 15's and 335/30 18's and report back asap! the weight savings is chump change compared to the handling gains with the 18's ... makes it a no brainer just like that "computer engineered" model says lmao.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

when one has to resort to Freud as a comeback the debate is over. go weigh a set of mounted 335/45 15's and 335/30 18's and report back asap! the weight savings is chump change compared to the handling gains with the 18's ... makes it a no brainer just like that "computer engineered" model says lmao.

I'm not running 335-45-15's. I'm not even sure that size is even made. So, that weight comparison is pointless.

And, the last time I checked, this a Cobra Forum. You know, Cobras, replicas of cars that were made in the 1960's. IMO, maybe you should become a member of the Corvette or Mustang Forums so you can discuss SIZE (maybe Freud too) with the new C7 or future 2015 Mustang owners.

[AL427SBF]

Couldn't quite connect the dots on that brain teaser? Then go weigh mounted 15's versus 18's with the same width tire and final diameter, that's the point genius. Amazing you couldn't figure that out on your own lol.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Couldn't quite connect the dots on that brain teaser? Then go weigh mounted 15's versus 18's with the same width tire and final diameter, that's the point genius. Amazing you couldn't figure that out on your own lol.

Avon tire sizes for my Kirkham, per a posted recommendation from Tom Kirkham, would be 245/60-15 and 275/55-15. If I desired more rear tire, then I could go to a 295/50-15 for the rear.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that bigger wheels mean MORE aluminum and bigger tires means MORE rubber, ergo MORE total weight. And the Law of Diminishing Returns (and appearance) would apply to the performance benefits, if any, of increasing wheel and tire sizes for the authentic-appearing Cobra replicas.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Couldn't quite connect the dots on that brain teaser? Then go weigh mounted 15's versus 18's with the same width tire and final diameter, that's the point genius. Amazing you couldn't figure that out on your own lol.

BTW, no self-respecting Cobra owner would ever install a 335/45-15 tire on their car, even if that size were available in 15's. Simply ridiculous and not even remotely in the universe of rational thought.

[AL427SBF]

Nonresponsive to the quoted assignment. In the mean time Superformance is on-board with 18's. The MKIII comes standard with 15's but if you are going to prove the performance capability of the car, better get those dealer installed options & upgrades:

- American Racing 18" pin drive wheels
- Custom Wilwood Big Brake Upgrade

Superformance 427 Cobra vs. Spyker C8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ngPGMQFtnM
Trick question RodKnock, why did Superformance run with their 18's that day?

Meanwhile back at the ranch some self-respecting Cobra owners chiming in on the 18's.
Superformance NEW 18' American Racing Rims!
Nitto's: Front 275/40 ZR18, Rear 335/30 ZR18

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Nonresponsive to the quoted assignment. In the mean time Superformance is on-board with 18's. The MKIII comes standard with 15's but if you are going to prove the performance capability of the car, better get those dealer installed options & upgrades:

- American Racing 18" pin drive wheels
- Custom Wilwood Big Brake Upgrade

Superformance 427 Cobra vs. Spyker C8
H2H Ep13, 427 Cobra Vs. Spyker C8 - YouTube
Trick question RodKnock, why did Superformance run with their 18's that day?

Meanwhile back at the ranch some self-respecting Cobra owners chiming in on the 18's.
Superformance NEW 18' American Racing Rims!
Nitto's: Front 275/40 ZR18, Rear 335/30 ZR18

Cool. You dug up a 3 year old thread started by Hillbank, an SPF dealer.

Why did SPF run 18's in the video? Oh, I don't know. I'm just spitballin' here, but maybe, since the younger crowd really like big shiny wheels and SPF desires to sell more Cobras and make more profit, SPF installed the bigger wheels to expand their product's demographics (i.e., install big shiny wheels = more sales to kids)?

Two math equations for you to think about:

1. More aluminum + more rubber = More Weight

2. Authentic-appearing Cobra Replica Does Not Equal Modern Sports Car.

Again, big shiny wheels are discussed at length over on the C7 Corvette Forum. You may find a discussion about owners going from 20's to 22's or more

[vatdevil]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Cool. You dug up a 3 year old thread started by Hillbank, an SPF dealer.

Why did SPF run 18's in the video? Oh, I don't know. I'm just spitballin' here, but maybe, since the younger crowd really like big shiny wheels and SPF desires to sell more Cobras and make more profit, SPF installed the bigger wheels to expand their product's demographics (i.e., install big shiny wheels = more sales to kids)?

Two math equations for you to think about:

1. More aluminum + more rubber = More Weight

2. Authentic-appearing Cobra Replica Does Not Equal Modern Sports Car.

Again, big shiny wheels are discussed at length over on the C7 Corvette Forum. You may find a discussion about owners going from 20's to 22's or more

Your are missing the point. Choices for high performance COMPETITIVE DOT street legal radials are almost nill for 15s. Yea, there are the ungodly priced Avons, but the new generation tires will easily outperform them too. There are some decent drags radials, but have fun with them on high speed cornering. Tires choices are driving the larger wheel size. Sure, unsprung weight matters some, but keeping all four wheels planted trumps unsprung weight in my opinion. My lap and autox times greatly improved when switching to 18s...not because of wheel diameter....but because I could run better tire compounds and much wider (285/335) tire widths.

[strictlypersonl]

Originally Posted by vatdevil

Your are missing the point. Choices for high performance COMPETITIVE DOT street legal radials are almost nill for 15s. Yea, there are the ungodly priced Avons, but the new generation tires will easily outperform them too. There are some decent drags radials, but have fun with them on high speed cornering. Tires choices are driving the larger wheel size. Sure, unsprung weight matters some, but keeping all four wheels planted trumps unsprung weight in my opinion. My lap and autox times greatly improved when switching to 18s...not because of wheel diameter....but because I could run better tire compounds and much wider (285/335) tire widths.

Looking through the choices in 335-35-17 tires, the prices are quite comparable to the Avon 15-inchers. Maybe they're both "ungodly".

[vatdevil]

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

Looking through the choices in 335-35-17 tires, the prices are quite comparable to the Avon 15-inchers. Maybe they're both "ungodly".

Avon 295 50 R15 $470
Nitto NT01 315 35 R 17 $247
Yes, pricing is very close? I've run both, and NT01 produced better times with equal wear. (Track and Autox). Also run the NT01s on the street and wet weather. Too bad they arent made in proper 15 inch sizes. Moving up to 17 and 18 size, there are dozens of affordable high performance DOT RADIALS.

[blown871]

Question: What would you run on the street and light track in the 18" size? 335/30 some brands not available in that size and you are only left with more of a track tire selection.

[AL427SBF]

You have choices http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...30&diameter=18

[blown871]

Has anyone ran any of them?
...likes/dislikes?

(My new rims are coming soon... and will be needing to place an order)

[muleman]

I am going to be runing 19 275/35/19 in the rear

[henrik]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

There comes a time when simple logic with tried and true performance gains is just too much for some to grasp, you would be one of those people RodKnock.

Dodge Viper - 1st versions 17" now 18"
Newer Corvettes - 17" and 18"
Ferrari - 18" up to 20"
Lamborghini - 18" and 19"

"Bruce's info, if correct, is 20-30+ years old. And he's one person, not a great sample size. There are plenty of racers, using smaller lighter wheels and tires on factory-limited fenders."

... too funny, 20-30 years old? "factory-limited fenders" = I'm stuck using small wheels lol.

Before you bash other people about logic...

The cars you talk about are latest models - not replica of a 1966 car... go put 20" on a ferrari gto 250 or 1963 stingray

I have 17" halibrand style on my Backdraft (born with it due to brakes) but love the look of the 15" billboard tires... I have seen 18" and it just change the looks too much.

How many "classic cars" race with 20" wheels... none!

but hey.... you go put 21" tesla wheels on you lifted "cobra"" - I'm sure a few 16 years old boys in Harlem will love it...

[henrik]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Couldn't quite connect the dots on that brain teaser? Then go weigh mounted 15's versus 18's with the same width tire and final diameter, that's the point genius. Amazing you couldn't figure that out on your own lol.

Troll - Pls leave this forum and go buy a 1974 mustang or a brand new race car

No need to talk dirty - it is you that have it all wrong with your lack of understanding to the cobra heritage.

this is a cobra forum for early 60' replicas - not some child forum for pointless discusions of weight on wheels...

[Ant]

Some of you guys just want to keep ramming modern technology in to your Cobra's, thats fine if that is what you want, problem is they rapidly don't fit in with the original concept and aren't accepted with racing organisations etc.

Here in NZ they won't even look at you for classic racing if you go bigger than 1" diameter over original 15" wheels. Most of you with your big wheels wouldn't get a look in racing against the well sorted original spec cars with 15" wheels. So saying how much better these low profile sidewall tires perform over higher profile tires isn't always the case when the flag drops.

When I see a Cobra or an older classic style vehicle with 18" and larger wheels, they just don't look right, and not what these cars are about. In fact cobra's with over 18" diameter wheels and larger just draw attention to the owner as a dickhead.

[henrik]

Originally Posted by Ant

Some of you guys just want to keep ramming modern technology in to your Cobra's, thats fine if that is what you want, problem is they rapidly don't fit in with the original concept and aren't accepted with racing organisations etc.

Here in NZ they won't even look at you for classic racing if you go bigger than 1" diameter over original 15" wheels. Most of you with your big wheels wouldn't get a look in racing against the well sorted original spec cars with 15" wheels. So saying how much better these low profile sidewall tires perform over higher profile tires isn't always the case when the flag drops.

When I see a Cobra or an older classic style vehicle with 18" and larger wheels, they just don't look right, and not what these cars are about. In fact cobra's with over 18" diameter wheels and larger just draw attention to the owner as a dickhead.

The rationale behind the 17" is the brakes... the 15" do not allow strong disk brakes - hence the compromise with halibrand style 17".

I have seen / and droved - old cars where the brakes got too hot = no stopping power at all

I live with the 17", but love the 15" - billboard or no billboard

IBTL