Is the wheel upgrade worth it?

SubieKidTK · 05-28-2001, 02:46 AM

The MY00-01 wheels are pretty darn light at 16lbs., right? So is everyone upgrading simply for looks? I guess it depends on what you are shooting for. But I probably shouldn't be talking because if I had the change, I would throw some OZ P1's or SuperL's on my car too...Another question, is it against the rules to say "damn" on i-Club?

<---nothing new there

Ty

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sbsnyder · 05-28-2001, 06:03 AM

You'll get different responses from different people. Some will say to simply upgrade your tires to something with a stiffer sidewall on your stock wheels, and others (me being one of them) will say that the 17" upgrade was well worth it.

My car handled incredibly better with my 215/45/ZR17 Toyo Proxes T1-S on Speedline Prodrive 7's. And I personnally did not noticed the weight difference at all between the stock wheels/tires and the Prodrives even though each wheel is about 5-6 pounds heavier. Not on the street or at the track.

I guess in order to answer this question properly, someone is gonna have to reply that:
1) Upgraded tires on original wheels
and
2) Upgraded wheels and tires to 17"

...and then compare the difference. I'm looking forward to seeing the responses of anyone who has done so.

Regards,
Stacey

inpreza kid · 05-28-2001, 06:59 AM

its really up to you. i upgraded to 17's as well. handles very well. just make sure you get a light wheel. but also you'll be spending twice as much since you have to get rims too. can easily add up to excess of $2000 for just good rims.

Eric Gagnon · 05-28-2001, 07:06 AM

Allot of us upgrade our wheels beacuse we wanted the next level in handling. I use to have 16's w/ bridgestone 730's and i wanted a little more response and turn in so i opted for new 17" wheels. Yes they do weigh a little more, but oh well. They track better and handle amazing. I have Prodive P7's w/ Pirelli P-Zero Asymetrico;s. Great combination and well worth the $$.

Eric

Pipercub · 05-28-2001, 07:19 AM

With 17s you have the ability to run a much better tire and any weight gain is negated by the real world gains. I went from stock 16s with 205 55s to 17s with 215 40s. My speedo is off about 3mph and that is the only negative effect of the changeover S.F.W. Corners that I once took at 45 I now take at 60, and overall stability and "tightness" are so improved it feels like a different car.

NickSTi · 05-28-2001, 08:47 AM

You do bring up a good point.
The only reason I want 17s (Volks so these 17s are gonna be lighter than stock) is so I can run the brembo kit (mmmm 330mm rotors)
but you can ask youself this:
Will spending 4G for this setup brake 3 times better than one using a 4-pot sti setup?

4G is a lot. I know adam bloom has the brembo kit with 17s Volks (iirc) and he says he was outbraking porsches.

Zahnster · 05-28-2001, 09:00 AM

If you want 3 times the performance, you are not going to cut your 70-0 times and distances to one third of their current level. Thats is impossible.

I think a difference of even 20 feet is a big deal. Perhaps you'll drop the distance by even more than that.

The Volk TE37's are the only really light wheel I know of that they make in 17. Didn't know these came in the correct offset.

Conduit · 05-28-2001, 09:08 AM

SE37K is a magnesium/aluminum alloy and weighs around 13lbs

05-28-2001, 02:46 AM	#1
SubieKidTK Scooby Newbie Member#: 5488 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Beaverton, OR Vehicle: 1992 Nissan Maxima Pearl	Is the wheel upgrade worth it? The MY00-01 wheels are pretty darn light at 16lbs., right? So is everyone upgrading simply for looks? I guess it depends on what you are shooting for. But I probably shouldn't be talking because if I had the change, I would throw some OZ P1's or SuperL's on my car too...Another question, is it against the rules to say "damn" on i-Club? <---nothing new there Ty * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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05-28-2001, 06:03 AM	#2
sbsnyder Scooby Newbie Member#: 2440 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Broomfield, CO USA	You'll get different responses from different people. Some will say to simply upgrade your tires to something with a stiffer sidewall on your stock wheels, and others (me being one of them) will say that the 17" upgrade was well worth it. My car handled incredibly better with my 215/45/ZR17 Toyo Proxes T1-S on Speedline Prodrive 7's. And I personnally did not noticed the weight difference at all between the stock wheels/tires and the Prodrives even though each wheel is about 5-6 pounds heavier. Not on the street or at the track. I guess in order to answer this question properly, someone is gonna have to reply that: 1) Upgraded tires on original wheels and 2) Upgraded wheels and tires to 17" ...and then compare the difference. I'm looking forward to seeing the responses of anyone who has done so. Regards, Stacey

05-28-2001, 06:59 AM	#3
inpreza kid Scooby Specialist Member#: 3334 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada	its really up to you. i upgraded to 17's as well. handles very well. just make sure you get a light wheel. but also you'll be spending twice as much since you have to get rims too. can easily add up to excess of $2000 for just good rims.

05-28-2001, 07:06 AM	#4
Eric Gagnon Scooby Newbie Member#: 46 Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Vehicle: 2001 Jetta 1.8T White	Allot of us upgrade our wheels beacuse we wanted the next level in handling. I use to have 16's w/ bridgestone 730's and i wanted a little more response and turn in so i opted for new 17" wheels. Yes they do weigh a little more, but oh well. They track better and handle amazing. I have Prodive P7's w/ Pirelli P-Zero Asymetrico;s. Great combination and well worth the $$. Eric

05-28-2001, 07:19 AM	#5
Pipercub Scooby Specialist Member#: 2188 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Remington VA` Vehicle: 2004 Impreza STI 82 BRAT with 12 in. lift	With 17s you have the ability to run a much better tire and any weight gain is negated by the real world gains. I went from stock 16s with 205 55s to 17s with 215 40s. My speedo is off about 3mph and that is the only negative effect of the changeover S.F.W. Corners that I once took at 45 I now take at 60, and overall stability and "tightness" are so improved it feels like a different car.

05-28-2001, 08:47 AM	#6
NickSTi Scooby Specialist Member#: 626 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Miami FL Vehicle: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Black Diamond Pearl	You do bring up a good point. The only reason I want 17s (Volks so these 17s are gonna be lighter than stock) is so I can run the brembo kit (mmmm 330mm rotors) but you can ask youself this: Will spending 4G for this setup brake 3 times better than one using a 4-pot sti setup? 4G is a lot. I know adam bloom has the brembo kit with 17s Volks (iirc) and he says he was outbraking porsches.

05-28-2001, 09:00 AM	#7
Zahnster Scooby Specialist Member#: 2918 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Simi Valley, CA, USA Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX Silver Sedan	If you want 3 times the performance, you are not going to cut your 70-0 times and distances to one third of their current level. Thats is impossible. I think a difference of even 20 feet is a big deal. Perhaps you'll drop the distance by even more than that. The Volk TE37's are the only really light wheel I know of that they make in 17. Didn't know these came in the correct offset.

05-28-2001, 09:08 AM	#8
Conduit Scooby Specialist Member#: 6162 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Orlando, FL. USA Vehicle: 2002 WRX MBP, 1st WRX Ever in FL.	SE37K is a magnesium/aluminum alloy and weighs around 13lbs