Any argument in running 19" wheels for HPDE?

[kkakonn]

Quick question guys. I'm working with my sponsor to build my track wheels and I keep mulling over the decision to go to 19's. I know the 18's are the popular choice here but hear me out. With 3.73 gears running 18's limits the tires I can use. We're building them 18x11 square so I will be running either a 295 or 305 wide tire. I would rather not run a 30 profile tire due to gearing issues which limits drastically the tires that are offered in 295/35 or 305/35. Also, I'm sure this isn't an issue, but with most 18" wheels i've seen the inner barrel sooooo close to the brakes, i'm talking a millimeter or two. I'm worried about not being able to cool the brakes as efficiently.

Now by jumping to a 19x11 wheel the options seem much more available in 305/30/19. RE11, RS3, AD08, R888 just to name a few. With the new wheels being around 20 - 21 pounds for a 19x11 wouldn't it just make sense to make the jump? Curious to hear your thoughts, like always all feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

-Mike

Sponsored

 

[apex15stangPP]

I'm running 19x10.5 with POTENZA RE-71r 285/35r19 with great results

 

[stoli]

Since we are on the subject of 19" wheels...

I'm currently running 19x11 rear w/285-40 and front w/275-40. When these are done the plan was to go to a 325x30 or 305/35 rear and 285-35 front.

Aside from being able to rotate, what benefit would I see to going with the 19x10 square setup?

 

[apex15stangPP]

A squared setup usually provides better turn in and mid corner balance.

 

[kkakonn]

Since we are on the subject of 19" wheels...

I'm currently running 19x11 rear w/285-40 and front w/275-40. When these are done the plan was to go to a 325x30 or 305/35 rear and 285-35 front.

Aside from being able to rotate, what benefit would I see to going with the 19x10 square setup?

Having a square set makes the car more neutral feeling. Helps reduce under steer which I'm experiencing with a staggered setup currently

 

[Dig-It]

What kind of track are you going to run at? 18s at a short track with short straights would be lighter and cheaper to replace. However, a longer track with longer straightaways will cause you to run out of gear (your top speed will be slower). 19s would be better suited there.

My "home" track is VIR. I swapped from 18s to 19s with a tire that was closer to factory diameter and picked up speed (a dropped time) in the straights. It costs a bit more, but it was worth the outcome to me.

A square set up is more budget friendly because you can rotate wheels. A staggered set up will allow you to run wider rear rubber (more traction in the rear). Tuning the suspension appropriately will help you get to a more neutral feel with either set up.

 

[DivineStrike]

Quick question guys. I'm working with my sponsor to build my track wheels and I keep mulling over the decision to go to 19's. I know the 18's are the popular choice here but hear me out. With 3.73 gears running 18's limits the tires I can use. We're building them 18x11 square so I will be running either a 295 or 305 wide tire. I would rather not run a 30 profile tire due to gearing issues which limits drastically the tires that are offered in 295/35 or 305/35. Also, I'm sure this isn't an issue, but with most 18" wheels i've seen the inner barrel sooooo close to the brakes, i'm talking a millimeter or two. I'm worried about not being able to cool the brakes as efficiently.

Now by jumping to a 19x11 wheel the options seem much more available in 305/30/19. RE11, RS3, AD08, R888 just to name a few. With the new wheels being around 20 - 21 pounds for a 19x11 wouldn't it just make sense to make the jump? Curious to hear your thoughts, like always all feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

-Mike

Gearing is the reason I decided to go with 19's over 18's. Well that and a little bit of looks. Weight and tire prices were the primary reason I wanted to go with 18's. But at mustang widths, tire choices were pretty limited. As for the weight, I found that many 19's are barely any heavier than the available 18's, if at all. So I chose 19 in forgestars, to keep my gearing a little taller. I will be running a 285/40/19 set up for now. I will only drop to a 35 A/R if I get rubbing issues when I do suspension or I don't like the sidewall compliance. Eventually I will be bumping it up to 295's for the front. I will probably keep it square but I may bump the rears to 305's. I don't want to run anything wider than that on my 10in wheels.

My mod focus after the basics will be to continue dropping weight, more importantly weight up front. I will probably do two piece rotors to drop another 20lbs off the front. CF DS, then it's a waiting game to see what other real options come out for weight loss. I'm not ready to mess with the interior of my car just yet. Lots of weight to be lost there but if I can get this thing under 3700lbs without touching the interior, I will be happy.

I'll be at 75lbs of weight loss once I get the wheels on, since I already have a catback. I will be very tempted to get rotors soon, even if they are a pretty penny. That will bring me to about 95lbs. Add in the CF driveshaft and my car should weigh in at just under 3700lbs. I don't know what kind of weight loss aftermarket suspension systems will net me. I see some people doing aluminum bumper supports, I would like to see an aftermarket company bring something like that to the game. My skills certainly aren't in fabrication, I don't really have the patience for that.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Have you considered swapping axle gears to 3.55's or possibly 3.31's and going with the 30-profile 18's?

I don't know enough about air flow inside the wheel barrel, but I can see your concern with respect to caliper cooling. I have heard of separate ducts aimed at the calipers, though.


Norm

 

[Anthony@HTM]

I may be switching to 19s later this year. Mainly due to the larger amount of tire options in larger widths compared to 18s

 

[kkakonn]

Have you considered swapping axle gears to 3.55's or possibly 3.31's and going with the 30-profile 18's?

I don't know enough about air flow inside the wheel barrel, but I can see your concern with respect to caliper cooling. I have heard of separate ducts aimed at the calipers, though.


Norm

I have, but it almost seems like too much trouble than its worth, at least at this point in the build.

I may be switching to 19s later this year. Mainly due to the larger amount of tire options in larger widths compared to 18s

At this point there doesn't seem like theres too many cons with jumping to 19's. I decided to go with a set of 19x11 GA1R's with Forgeline. Finished weight should be in the low 21-22 pound range. Will get a final weight when all is said and done!

 

[DivineStrike]

Wow you really like to spend money lol

 

[kkakonn]

Wow you really like to spend money lol

Lol yes its quite an expensive hobby. I was lucky to have my build pick up some momentum and noticed by Forgeline who is covering the majority of the cost on this one =]

 

[Brent Dalton]

I think you'll be fine running 19's. We've talked about the gearing stuff many times. If you aren't doing TT or W2W, there are more than enough tire choices for the 19's as you said (and I think hoosier will eventually make some more sizes for 19's).

Sponsored