Bigger wheels hurt performance?
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I am adding an SRT intake w/ ECU changing to a Dragon TC on my '00 GS400. I also want to upgrade from my stock 17" wheels to something wider and bigger, at what point to you start loosing performance that is counter productive to your mods?
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Considering Lexus did research on wheels for its L-tuned parts, and went with the identical size of the old E55/M5, 245/40/18 front and 265 or 275/35/18 rear maybe the best for performance. Now if you up your mods, say TC, intake etc, then it would offset 19 and 20" wheels.
Most people simply don't race their cars enough to stick to a lower size wheel. Bigger does look better on the GS (up to 20s).
Most people simply don't race their cars enough to stick to a lower size wheel. Bigger does look better on the GS (up to 20s).
#4
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally posted by mjanocko
I am adding an SRT intake w/ ECU changing to a Dragon TC on my '00 GS400. I also want to upgrade from my stock 17" wheels to something wider and bigger, at what point to you start loosing performance that is counter productive to your mods?
I am adding an SRT intake w/ ECU changing to a Dragon TC on my '00 GS400. I also want to upgrade from my stock 17" wheels to something wider and bigger, at what point to you start loosing performance that is counter productive to your mods?
On the negative side, a larger, wider, lower-profile wheel and tire also means a stiffer ride, less clearance in the wheelwells necessitating even firmer suspension damping, wider turning radius, slower acceleration due to more rolling friction and drag, less pothole impact protection for the alloy wheels, and lousy traction and a greater tendency to hydroplane on wet or slick roads. They can also cause low speedometer and odometer readings.
High-performance all-season tires have helped combine the best of both worlds, to an extent, but they are still a compromise.
#5
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Does anyone have side and rear pictures of a GS with 18" wheels based on the recommendations of 245/40/18 front and 265 or 275/35/18 rear? With peformance I am refering to laterial acceleration; I do not want to spend the money on the engine mods go with 19" wheels and have a slower than stock vehicle.
#6
Lexus Champion
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally posted by mjanocko
Does anyone have side and rear pictures of a GS with 18" wheels based on the recommendations of 245/40/18 front and 265 or 275/35/18 rear? With peformance I am refering to laterial acceleration; I do not want to spend the money on the engine mods go with 19" wheels and have a slower than stock vehicle.
Does anyone have side and rear pictures of a GS with 18" wheels based on the recommendations of 245/40/18 front and 265 or 275/35/18 rear? With peformance I am refering to laterial acceleration; I do not want to spend the money on the engine mods go with 19" wheels and have a slower than stock vehicle.
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/3074SB_Fields_1-med.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/3074SB_Fields_2-med.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/3074Tom_s_Back_-2-med.jpg)
Last edited by redgs4; 11-26-04 at 02:38 PM.
#7
Forum Administrator
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-admin2.gif)
iTrader: (2)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My GS when I had 18" JDM Piaa Rozza wheels on it 18x8 front (high disk), 18x9 rear (low disk), I'll have to go and dig to find the tire sizes but I think they're the same as those listed. I'm going to be putting these wheels up for sale soon in the CL classifieds.
![](http://www.somniplex.com/gallery/albums/GS_spring_03/res23879.jpg)
![](http://www.somniplex.com/gallery/albums/GS_spring_03/res23886.jpg)
Trending Topics
#9
Former Sponsor
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: D2'sville
Posts: 13,002
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally posted by redgs4
18" Volk LE37K, 8.5/9.5, currently running GY GSD3's in 245/40, 275/35.
18" Volk LE37K, 8.5/9.5, currently running GY GSD3's in 245/40, 275/35.
Back on topic, if you choose a 19/20" lightweight or forged wheel, combined with a 3.76 LSD, I think the performance will be close to, if not slightly better than stock. The biggest lag in performance due to larger tires/wheels is the taller gearing (thus softer acceleration, and a theoretically higher top speed)
#10
Lexus Champion
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally posted by D2-AUTOSPORT
Red, dont even ask me what rock I have been under to miss them, but this is the first time I have seen the new kit installed, it looks very nice and clean!
Red, dont even ask me what rock I have been under to miss them, but this is the first time I have seen the new kit installed, it looks very nice and clean!
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
The kit -is- rather subtle.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post