Frt wheels...3.5 or 4 ?

Posted By: cagebob1

Frt wheels...3.5 or 4 ? - 07/15/12 08:16 PM

Is there any real advantage or dis advantage to one or the other? Obviously there is a small weight difference and possible clearance issue, but, is there a performance/ handling difference? This would be for a track only lightweight race car.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Frt wheels...3.5 or 4 ? - 07/15/12 08:52 PM

Depends on the tire width you plan on using

Posted By: cagebob1

Re: Frt wheels...3.5 or 4 ? - 07/15/12 08:55 PM

Ok then...let's expand the original question...does tire size have a direct effect on performance/handling? other than rollout?

Posted By: Thumperdart

Re: Frt wheels...3.5 or 4 ? - 07/15/12 08:55 PM

Been beating 3 1/2`s on the street/strip for years so race only should be more than fine w/the right tires as stated..........

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Frt wheels...3.5 or 4 ? - 07/15/12 09:03 PM

Quote:

Ok then...let's expand the original question...does tire size have a direct effect on performance/handling? other than rollout?

A wide tire on a narrow rim gives you a lot of side
wall roll if you get crossed up where the narrower tire
on the same rim will feel more stable

Posted By: SLOW67

Re: Frt wheels...3.5 or 4 ? - 07/16/12 12:51 AM

I run 3.5's on the street with a 165 VW tire. Mine have alot of side wall bulge but I think its in the ultra cheap discount tire brand tires. I will be going to a 155 when I wear these out to see if it makes any difference. Just don't buy discount's tire

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Frt wheels...3.5 or 4 ? - 07/17/12 02:58 AM

The choice of tall, skinny, radial, 15" tires seems to be dwindling at a rapid pace, so I prefer the 4" wheel. Seems like you are stuck with the short VW style 165-175, or you have to jump all the way to 215/70 which is what are on my 4" centerlines and bulge quite a bit.

Just read, "Track only light weight race car", go 3 1/2, with as much out set as possible so they can clear whatever brakes you end up with.

Attached picture 7295526-summer_026.JPG

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Frt wheels...3.5 or 4 ? - 07/17/12 03:18 AM

Quote:

The choice of tall, skinny, radial, 15" tires seems to be dwindling at a rapid pace, so I prefer the 4" wheel. Seems like you are stuck with the short VW style 165-175, or you have to jump all the way to 215/70 which is what are on my 4" centerlines and bulge quite a bit.

Just read, "Track only light weight race car", go 3 1/2, with as much out set as possible so they can clear whatever brakes you end up with.

Most light weight front wheels only offer 2 back
spacing wheels... 1.75 and 2.25... I always prefer
the deeper off set.. it gets the center line of the
tire closer to the center line of the ball joints
to decrease the brake torque when you are on the brakes