What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

[Jtels2593]

What are the benefits of placing 9.5 wide, or even 11 wide rims on "mostly stock" V6 Camaro? Other than the fact that they look good compared to the OEM 16's...

I ran 17x9.5 black Z06's on my 1996 LT1 and the car looked great, but handled like crap. Once I mounted the salad shooters back on for winter, the car drove wonderfully.

In 2003, I got ahold of a set of black GTA rims and mounted those on my 1987 2.8 Firebird. Again, the car drove and handled poorly compared to the OEM rims.

[kristen]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

more tire = more grib

but at the same time you need a stickier tire in order to get the better grib....kinda goes hand and hand

[Jtels2593]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

more tire = more grib

but at the same time you need a stickier tire in order to get the better grib....kinda goes hand and hand

I understand. Will the wider tire help or hurt when driving through snow?

[T-Mill]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

wider is better on snow, but worse on ice... in our area, if you're looking for better drive-ability in winter your best bet is a set of winter tires on stock sized rims

[Jtels2593]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

I'm rolling on BF Goodrich all season tires.

[1997Canadian3.8]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

I give you guys credit for driving your f-body all year. I'd be afraid the salt and slush would ruin the car.

[pace2006]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

Advantages:

Looks better
More contact area
More tire options available

Disadvantages:

More expensive tires
Negligible(?) loss of gas mileage
Habit of "hunting" or wandering on imperfect roads

[firebirdn]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

More weight + less surface area= better traction. Tires that are meant for snow will be better than all seasons.Wider tires only improve traction on dry and wet roads.Not snow.

[FirebirdGT]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

I ran 275/17 in summer - 245/16 Blizzaks in winter when I lived in WI.

Now 275/17 all-season in AZ. :banana:
.

[Mighty Thor]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

I used to have C5 17x9 myself, but went back to stock. It just weighs more and with that there would some parasitic loss of hp. Plus you feel the road more because it is a thinner tire between the road and rim. But you do get better g's with it.

With the stock wheels my car feels slightly faster and it's more comfortable.

[whitdog54]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

I dont know anyone who buys wider tires for snow....wider tires will want to ride up on the snow, not cut through it.

Wider tires, will more then likely be heavier (more rotational mass) slowing you down, but allot more grip will help in the corners and straight line.

Also, when you get wider tires, you'll notice your car will grab the grooves in the road more, kinda tugging you around more then a thin tire.

Unless your making some serious power, throw some 555Rs in the rear and maybe 555 or 450 up front, and you'll get more traction then you'll ever need with the 6

[Bandit127]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

Stick with the stock wheels for winter, but wider wheels/tires will cause more road wander, especially during braking when your weight goes forward to the front wheels. For winter, if your interested in more traction get thinner snow tires. Problem with wider tires is that your weight gets distributed more, thus you float rather than grab and dig. Ice just plain sucks on even stock wheel and kuhmo 245/50/16's.

Just bought some Hankook 245/50/16's, will mount them tomorrow and literally head through a blizzard that night so I'll give you guys a heads up on what I think of them.

[T-Mill]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

With other cars I'd maybe say get some skinny tires for snow, but with as little ground clearance as we have, I still prefer slightly wider tires for snow... It's not like you can go very fast in our cars in the snow regardless of what tire you run, and I'd rather have slightly worse grip than become a snow plow or paper weight... just my preference

[mloaks]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

more grip, less MPG, less steering response, better looks, higher price, more wear on suspension, worse bad weather, stiffer ride...

[Jtels2593]

Re: What are the benefits are wider wheels on a V6?

more grip, less MPG, less steering response, better looks, higher price, more wear on suspension, worse bad weather, stiffer ride...

I like your answer, straight and to the point.

So is it possible to get 17 inch rims that are, I dunno.. maybe 8 in. wide?