14" or 15" Wheels - Saxperience

Craig_B · 3rd March 2011, 13:00

First thread in this section!!

Purchasing a VTS soon when i find the right one, to use as a track day car. Is going to be road legal as well. Aiming to have it ready for FCS to go on track for the first time

noob

I was just wondering if anyone found a difference on track, by using 14" wheels than 15"

I will be upgrading the brakes on it in the future, so clearence may by an issue

Have plenty more questions, but reading through some of the threads have answered some of theses!! Good section

Any help be wicked

Cheers

Gordon · 3rd March 2011, 13:50

In general, a smaller wheel with a larger profile tyre will feel softer and more progressive at the limit because there is more tendancy for the tyre to twist at the contact patch but for this same reason will tend to feel less precise. You'll also see more tyre roll due to the taller sidewall.

A larger wheel with a lower profile tyre will feel sharper and quicker to respond thanks to smaller sidewalls not allowing so much carcass twist but will tend to have less feel and there will be a more fine a line between grip and slide.

The argument of which one will give more grip depends on your suspension angles, stiffness, tyre pressures etc.

Ryan^p · 3rd March 2011, 14:03

most people run 15s due to them being the same size as standard on the vts.

That and the fact brakes fit under them, gti-6 and 4 pots.

kristel10589 · 3rd March 2011, 14:16

as above.

14 though you can get semi slicks quite alot cheaper then on 15.

JoshB · 3rd March 2011, 18:27

As said, 14" you can get much cheaper tyres. And you can still fit 266mm brakes underneath which are more than enough for a mild spec, lightweight saxo.

Craig_B · 3rd March 2011, 22:45

Cheers guys, just would be buying different wheels and wanted to know if 14" would of been to any advantage.

Nice one

KamRacing · 4th March 2011, 10:35

I find usually the smaller wheel gives a better turn in, but the lower profile of the 15" will get more grip as the tyre does not distort as much. The 15" feels heavier though.
For track use I would go for the 15" though as tyre choice is greater, that or drop to a 13" alloy if you can.
I'm trying to get wide 13" wheels on my 205 gti