Tire/Rim upgrade?

Since I'm overhauling everything else, I was wondering if there is an advantage to running larger diameter rims. My current combo is 15 x 3 1/2 front with 26" tires, 15 x 15 rears with 32 x 14 or 14.5 tires. More than enough room to run up to a 16 x 33. Is there any advantage to going to 17" front rims and 16" rear rims. Car is a tube chassis, big block with a stick, if that matters.

If you go to bigger fronts you just slow down
your reaction time.. if I were you I'd get it
on the track and see what happens..its gonna
take a bit to get it to react right.. after I
got my car to work right I went down on the
rear tire dia

Mr P: I wasn't going to change overall diameter. If anything, maybe step up to a 27" front runner. I agree on the rears. Depending on my trap rpm, I might be playing with 32" or 33" tires.

The bigger dia the fronts are you slow your
reaction(more tire on the starting line lights)
try the car first before you start changing stuff

I've been looking at 17" fronts too. Since the height of the tire is the same I am not sure it's worth the extra money. Decisions, decisions.

I was contemplating going to 17's as they are 4.5" wide vs 3.5 for the 15's. I will use the same 26 or 27" diameter tire. I like the wider foot print and will probably pull the trigger

I'm noticing that there are limited tires for 17" front runners and 16" slicks. Hopefully, that will change by the time I'm ready.

The only good reason to put 17" wheels on the front is if you have a late model or resto-mod type deal with a big brake package and need them for clearance. 24 or 25 on a tube chassis type deal. 27 or 28 on a stock front end setup. Bigger tires on the back for bigger power. If you don't need them, the big tires will slow you down. Big diameter tires will typically go on faster cars. Less tire RPM and a more favorable rear end ratio.

There's a reason there are limited options for 17" front tires.