18s vs. 19s vs. 20s: Form over Function?

chrischhorn · 03-02-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndyKwon

I think I have less grip than people running 255/305 on 19s compared to my 255/305 on 20s, or would the difference be so little that its negated?

Too many variables in this question such as which tires are you running? What are your camber settings? Width of the wheels? 18's are not primarily used to running a smaller tire. They are used because track tires and sizes we prefer to use are more available. Mike the powdercoater is running a much larger size then stock. 275/40 is what is OEM diameter at 26.7" and he runs 295/40's which are 27.3" diameter. It's more for lighter wheels and better tire choices more then anything.

EndyKwon · 03-02-2013, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrischhorn

Too many variables in this question such as which tires are you running? What are your camber settings? Width of the wheels? 18's are not primarily used to running a smaller tire. They are used because track tires and sizes we prefer to use are more available. Mike the powdercoater is running a much larger size then stock. 275/40 is what is OEM diameter at 26.7" and he runs 295/40's which are 27.3" diameter. It's more for lighter wheels and better tire choices more then anything.

My current settings are 9.5x20F 10.5X20R 255/30/20F 305/25/20R, on hankooks v12s and stock camber settings with offsets of +22 on the front and +25 on the back.
Say another owner had the exact same settings but was running 19s with 255/35/19F 305/30/19R. Obviously, this guy would have bigger sidewalls than mine. But would the difference be like night and day?

I know the hankooks aren't sticky like RE11s or P Zeros, but still, I can tell they're much better than my 18s that had those yokohamas.

chrischhorn · 03-02-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndyKwon

My current settings are 9.5x20F 10.5X20R 255/30/20F 305/25/20R, on hankooks v12s and stock camber settings with offsets of +22 on the front and +25 on the back.
Say another owner had the exact same settings but was running 19s with 255/35/19F 305/30/19R. Obviously, this guy would have bigger sidewalls than mine. But would the difference be like night and day?

I know the hankooks aren't sticky like RE11s or P Zeros, but still, I can tell they're much better than my 18s that had those yokohamas.

Hankook V12's are not for canyon carving. They are decent straight line grip with long lasting wear. A great everyday tire not so much for medium or higher spirited driving. They have more sidewall flex then most of the tires in the same class and no traction would not be much different if any at all from 20's to 19's. Any suspension upgrades? Springs/coilovers or sway bars? BTW the Advans are just plain out terrible. I threw them at out 5k miles lol.

EndyKwon · 03-02-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrischhorn

Hankook V12's are not for canyon carving. They are decent straight line grip with long lasting wear. A great everyday tire not so much for medium or higher spirited driving. They have more sidewall flex then most of the tires in the same class and no traction would not be much different if any at all from 20's to 19's. Any suspension upgrades? Springs/coilovers or sway bars? BTW the Advans are just plain out terrible. I threw them at out 5k miles lol.

What a disappointment, I thought they would be decent enough for medium spirited canyon carving at the very least. I was running Mulholland and just felt like the tires weren't confidence inspiring at all, I thought it was the 20s size causing it, therefore me thinking that 19s were so much better. As for suspension upgrades, I'm planning on getting stillen sway bars, I decided not get those coilovers that drop your car by more than 1", so I settled with nismo springs (but not the shocks).

Getting back on those Advans, they were some pretty fun tires to burn out in lol.

chrischhorn · 03-02-2013, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndyKwon

What a disappointment, I thought they would be decent enough for medium spirited canyon carving at the very least. I was running Mulholland and just felt like the tires weren't confidence inspiring at all, I thought it was the 20s size causing it, therefore me thinking that 19s were so much better. As for suspension upgrades, I'm planning on getting stillen sway bars, I decided not get those coilovers that drop your car by more than 1", so I settled with nismo springs (but not the shocks).

Getting back on those Advans, they were some pretty fun tires to burn out in lol.

Sway bars will make your car stiffer but which could help but at the same time could make it worse because the tires cant hold the traction as is, could cause for some full off sliding and drifting. The tires are now the limitation of your traction/handling. No longer your car.

EndyKwon · 03-02-2013, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrischhorn

Sway bars will make your car stiffer but which could help but at the same time could make it worse because the tires cant hold the traction as is, could cause for some full off sliding and drifting. The tires are now the limitation of your traction/handling. No longer your car.

I'd rather not want to slide off of a cliff, guess I have no choice but to wear these out until I can get new tires.

Thanks for the input

rebe945 · 03-03-2013, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrischhorn

Hankook V12's are not for canyon carving. They are decent straight line grip with long lasting wear. A great everyday tire not so much for medium or higher spirited driving. They have more sidewall flex then most of the tires in the same class and no traction would not be much different if any at all from 20's to 19's. Any suspension upgrades? Springs/coilovers or sway bars? BTW the Advans are just plain out terrible. I threw them at out 5k miles lol.

I agree. The Hankooks are great for me as my Z is for show and easy driving, more or less.

Amuse370z · 03-03-2013, 02:17 PM

What would you guys recommend for a tire close or a little more than the Hankooks?

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03-03-2013, 02:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
Amuse370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,170 Drives: '13 PW Fairlady Z Rep Power: 17	What would you guys recommend for a tire close or a little more than the Hankooks?