Type R Handling

[UnitedWeFall]

I've been told by 2 people that upgrading the factory 15" wheels on an Integra Type R (pre 1998) to 17" alloys can affect the handling in a bad way. Can anyone confirm/deny/comment on this? I'm not really up with the play when it comes to anything to do with wheels/suspension, so use baby talk. :wink:

[tysonzane]

Without a doubt it will affect the handling. But some people will argue weather it is in a postive or negative way. Im of the strong opion that it can affect it negatively. The rolling circumfrance increases, the majority of the time the 17inch wheel will be heavier then the 15 inch one which can not only affect the handling but also acceleration.

The profile of the tyres will also change. While some people will also have very different opinions as to weather a taller or lower profile is better. I strongly feel that the profile of the factory type R tyre is very good. The higher profile allows the tyre to flex in mid corner at high g forces (if people dont believe this happens ive got many photos of my rally car of what looks like the tyre almost rolling off the rim). The flex gives the driver better feel and also give the car a bit more compliance which is important as the lower profile tyre can let go during high speed mid corner, where as the higher profile you'll be able to feel the car starting to go.

At the end of the day it is a bit of personal prefrence, but it is fact that heavier wheels will affect the handling and acceleration and a larger rolling diameter also affects the handling.

[UnitedWeFall]

Cheers for that. If it's a pretty minor difference, I think i'd be willing to put up with it. I think some alloys would look pretty nice on the R

I guess i'll find out for sure soon enough.

[DrRubber]

Originally Posted by tysonzane

Without a doubt it will affect the handling. But some people will argue weather it is in a postive or negative way. Im of the strong opion that it can affect it negatively. The rolling circumfrance increases, the majority of the time the 17inch wheel will be heavier then the 15 inch one which can not only affect the handling but also acceleration.

The profile of the tyres will also change. While some people will also have very different opinions as to weather a taller or lower profile is better. I strongly feel that the profile of the factory type R tyre is very good. The higher profile allows the tyre to flex in mid corner at high g forces (if people dont believe this happens ive got many photos of my rally car of what looks like the tyre almost rolling off the rim). The flex gives the driver better feel and also give the car a bit more compliance which is important as the lower profile tyre can let go during high speed mid corner, where as the higher profile you'll be able to feel the car starting to go.

At the end of the day it is a bit of personal prefrence, but it is fact that heavier wheels will affect the handling and acceleration and a larger rolling diameter also affects the handling.

um.......the rolling diameter shouldnt change at all if you use the correct size tyre......ie: 195/60/15 = 205/45/17......195/65/15 =205/50/17 etc etc etc
what could affect your handling is a much wider wheel or the wrong size tyres which can alter your scrub radius...(google search for more info on scrub radius)
the only thing that will be affected if you use the correct size tyres with wheels that arnt massive wide (8inch!!!) is that you will feel more bumps etc on the road and possibly pick up more road noise.....otherwise there should be no difference in your cars handling...in fact you should have a little more tyre on the road than before therefore increasing safety....
very true tho that a heavier wheel will affect things........

[berman]

Also depends where the weight is on the wheel, anything from a heavier rim, to the face of the wheel being heavier. That's why most lightweight race wheels try to have as much of the wheel weight centred around the hub, resulting in small thin spokes, and magnesium and forged alloy construction. Like Tyson said about profiles too, and why do you think Formula 1 cars use 13inch forged or magnesium wheels with high sidewalls? More predictable handling and weight as much in the centre as possible.

[SQUERT]

Stick with the 15s is my opinion.Unless your going for something bronze or Spoon Matte Black wheels.I think type Rs look wicked on their factory rims as it is.Just my cents though

[fonzy]

if you want the 17's for cosmetic reasons then go with 16's and have the best of both worlds

[tysonzane]

Originally Posted by badcf4

um.......the rolling diameter shouldnt change at all if you use the correct size tyre......ie: 195/60/15 = 205/45/17......195/65/15 =205/50/17 etc etc etc
what could affect your handling is a much wider wheel or the wrong size tyres which can alter your scrub radius...(google search for more info on scrub radius)
the only thing that will be affected if you use the correct size tyres with wheels that arnt massive wide (8inch!!!) is that you will feel more bumps etc on the road and possibly pick up more road noise.....otherwise there should be no difference in your cars handling...in fact you should have a little more tyre on the road than before therefore increasing safety....
very true tho that a heavier wheel will affect things........

Yeah yup you're right about the rolling diameter but this isint always the case, ive seen tyre shops putting tyres on which are VERY different to the factory rolling diameter.

A misconception that some people think the wider the tyre the better is incorrect. There is such a thing as too wide, especially on a FWD car like a ITR.

[DrRubber]

Originally Posted by tysonzane

Yeah yup you're right about the rolling diameter but this isint always the case, ive seen tyre shops putting tyres on which are VERY different to the factory rolling diameter.

A misconception that some people think the wider the tyre the better is incorrect. There is such a thing as too wide, especially on a FWD car like a ITR.

very true also

[CRRUPT]

i put 17s on my itr and i barely noticed any difference it definalety rides harder but i have mugen suspension so its rock hard anyhow. i really think the difference isnt even noticeable unless you use it as a track whore in the weekend. my itr still way outhandles my brothers wrx sti which i am driving at the moment

Just dont put chrome wheels on it :evil:

[UnitedWeFall]

Ok i've decided to get some 17" Konig Kolors (graphite)


(I know the picture is 5-stud. No need to comment.)

Opinions/comments? I'm pretty sure they'll look mint

[2HEKTK]

Originally Posted by UnitedWeFall

Ok i've decided to get some 17" Konig Kolors (graphite)


(I know the picture is 5-stud. No need to comment.)

Opinions/comments? I'm pretty sure they'll look mint

Im in the same boat and im opting for 16" I just think 17" looks to big on a ITR. Not a bad looking wheel though, whats the weight?

[UnitedWeFall]

Originally Posted by 2HEKTK

Im in the same boat and im opting for 16" I just think 17" looks to big on a ITR. Not a bad looking wheel though, whats the weight?

Hmm, I might have search for some pictures of Type R's with 17"s before I make any final decisions.

The weight is 6.7kg per wheel according to Google. Does anyone know what the weight of the factory 1997 Type R rims is?

[the_chad]

Originally Posted by UnitedWeFall

Hmm, I might have search for some pictures of Type R's with 17"s before I make any final decisions.

The weight is 6.7kg per wheel according to Google. Does anyone know what the weight of the factory 1997 Type R rims is?

I'd go for 16's personally.

However I would also just leave the type r rims on, I think they look great! Thats what I'm going to do, may reconsider when I need new tyres.

OT, but did you solve that loss of power problem you had after the reset ecu and new intake? I'm a bit scared to reset my ecu now

[UnitedWeFall]

Originally Posted by the_chad

I'd go for 16's personally.

However I would also just leave the type r rims on, I think they look great! Thats what I'm going to do, may reconsider when I need new tyres.

OT, but did you solve that loss of power problem you had after the reset ecu and new intake? I'm a bit scared to reset my ecu now

Yeah, I really don't like the factory rims, which is why i'm changing them. I think aftermarket rims add so much character to a car, and I like the look of 17s. Plus they seem to be cheaper and easier to get than 16s.

Yeah I got the problem sorted. I put the factory airbox etc back on then reset the ECU. It took a few days for the power to come back up (the ECU was relearning I guess) but now it's fine :thumbsup:

[[DRVTEC]]

just keep the 15 inch factory type r wheels on!! they really suit the car and handling feels so much lighter and more stable than when you put 17s on. I put 17" white stalkers on my ITR when I had it and I really felt the handling worsened and acceleration was a little slower.

[Haydz]

FWD + wide tyres + incorrect offset = chronic tramlining.

[ek3]

why not just change the colour of your ITR rims?

[Trivium]

The TR is a pretty damn good car, you'd think that Honda would have developed it to work at maximum potentional with the wheels they put on, and that changing them is only going to upset things?

[Track Whore]

Originally Posted by Trivium

The TR is a pretty damn good car, you'd think that Honda would have developed it to work at maximum potentional with the wheels they put on, and that changing them is only going to upset things?

Correct! A slightly wider wheel and better rubber will help but unless you have a big brake kit to clear there's nothing wrong with the factory 15" or another light weight option. I personaly don't like anything bigger than 16" on ITR's but on my own one have 15".

[tweedo]

'track whore'
what wheels are you running on the itr?
they look hot. :thumbsup: [/quote]

[sirwags_np]

Originally Posted by Trivium

The TR is a pretty damn good car, you'd think that Honda would have developed it to work at maximum potentional with the wheels they put on, and that changing them is only going to upset things?

how many cars are developed to maximum potential from the factory?

as the op stated he likes the look of 17's and dislikes the factory wheels!!

id say go for those konig wheels, they will enhance the visual appeal of you ride, and aslong as the correct size tyre is used, and a good tyre at that(gsd3 ftw) then everyday use you will not notice the difference.

[CIVTEC]

Oh. My. God. You diggers !

[civ_man]

hey man,

----------> Old thread!

[sirwags_np]

ooops owned by date ops: