16" versus 17"

[majik16106]

ok, im not even really sure what im looking for by posting this, maybe its just me but im hoping there is some type of good explanation for this. Today at the SEZ i noticed some things. 1) 17's dont look that big on Z cars too me, but maybe im just used to the 19s ive been putting on supras lately. and 2) the cars with 16's seemed to be sitting much lower. I wanted my Z to look like it was hugging the ground. and i noticed rick bowers car looks that way. I thought maybe it was the body kit but im not sure. Because this other lowered stock body Z with ccw's in 16's looked REALLY low too, but several cars with 17'' wheels seemed to be sitting up higher. before anyone says anything, fat tires for a 16 inch wheel usually have a sidewall A/r of what.. 50.. 45? and the 17s ive been seeing are 40. and i thought the rolling hieght of the wheel of a 17 was only fractionably taller than a 16... so how come the cars with 16s look so low....

[Guest bluex_v1]

check out the overall diameter of various tire sizes. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Kumho&model=ECSTA+Supra+712

Going up one wheel size is only going to make a small difference like you said (~.5 inch increase in ground clearance) but it can be made up by getting a lower aspect ratio.

 

Maybe some the 17" guys were running taller sidewalls than they might normally have since they were going to a drag event?

[majik16106]

it may have just been the fact that none of the guys there had coil overs with 17's and the two guys with the 16's did. I didnt check, it was just something that caught my eye.