Im looking at buying the Torq Thrust II's before race season this year. Do you think they would be to big or would have clearence issues if I went with an 18x10 inch rim with 255/35R18's. Or should I go with a 17x9 rim for racing on, I just dont want the rims to take over the car. Anyone done the 18 inch rim thing, and regretted it let me know
Thanks

 

I've had mine for just over a month now..don't regret 'em one bit. I feel like their is perfect harmony between the car and the wheels..and clearance is not a problem so long as you choose backspacing and tire size wisely. With a 10" wide wheel I'd look into something wider like a 285/295". I'm running 18x9" in the rear with 285's and a 5.5" backspacing.

 

I personally like 18's on thirdgens. Well most I have seen some that look horrible.

But w/ Torq Thrust I'd go w/ 17's IMO.

 

I love my 18's......would never go back

 

I am buying 18s for my 89 GTA within next week.
At the moment I decided for:

18 x 8,5 front, 6 mm negative offset with: with 245/40/18
18 x 9,5 rear, 6 mm positive offset with: 275/35/18

What do you say to the size, will they fit okey? Which offset would you recommend me? The rims should not overlap the fender (hopefully you know what I mean.

Thanks for any advice!

 

Picked up my 18s last summer - finally bought tires for them this winter. 18s look great and everything I've seen and read there is no problems. I will put mine on this springs. I put a set of goodyear eagles on my eagle alloy 077 rims. SWEET Can't wait to show them off Rick

 

I've got 17" TTII's on mine....I'm really wanting to get a set of 18's though. But I have yet to see a set of 18" TTII's on a third gen

 

18s weigh more than the same rim in 17" form. 18s get less traction than 17s. Tires for 18" cost more. 17s sounds like a better choice, for racing. 18s look about perfect though, depends on the rim.

 

I agree with Gr89RS, with a 10" wide rim look for something wider like a 285 or 295. I've got a 10" wide rear rim with 275's on and the rubber is just a touch too narrow.

 

I've got 18's and would never go back to 17's. I ran two different sets of 17's before going this route, and the 18's complete the suspension. Firebat does make some good points, and I would seriously think about what type of racing you are doing. I run 18x10 in the rear with 285/35's, and will be stepping up to a 295/35 g-force drag radial this summer.

 

the 18" dr is great if you don't want to go down on rim size to race, fun on the street as well but it's a heavy wheel and tire combination even with lighter billet wheels.

if you race then stick with 17's or smaller. if you want to "play" 18's are fine. i like my 19's but tires are wayyyyy.... too expensive.

 

I slapped my 18's on when I was doing a complete suspension overhaul so I cant comment on the difference of ride quality (my car rides rough as it is from all the tightening up) but you can't beat the look for the price. Like kandied was stating, just by going up an inch to 19's you already notice a huge price gap...17's and 18's are comparable, just depends on if you want performance or a little bit of show

 

i think 18's fill the wheel well perfectly

 

save the 255's for an 8" rim.

 

I think the 18" fit the car perfectly appearance wise.

 

the larger you go rim size and width your car suffers greatly in ride and wear/tear.

if you think your car rides rough with 16's or 17's don't even consider jumping up unless you've dumped alot of money into your suspension and even then you won't get a very comfortable ride but most of us deal with it. your front steering will see the most wear when you jump up in size as well so upgrade your bushings and check them out every year. your steering box should be gone through as well if you have a high mileage car or it won't last long.

all things to consider when going up such a size. you not only loose power on the street but your gas mileage drops also from the weight the larger and wider your rim. you can cut this down by running a skinnier tire up front and running the skinniest tire you feel you can live with in the rear.

has anyone found a torque multiplier versus different tire weights and statistics yet. i've tried to look to see how much horsepower and torque you actually loose when switching wheels but i have yet to find anything.

my car physically lost 23 horsepower to the wheels when i went from 16's to 19's on the dyno just to give you an idea. so if you don't have a built motor your really going to notice it in that 170 horsepower tbi or 230 horsepower tpi on the street.

just things to consider..

 

i love how my 18s look but i dont like my ride with the sportlines and poly bushings . Its harsh . But it looks good and thats what i care about .

 

this is true, but there are many variables to consider..cast wheels weigh much more than a billet aluminum wheel depending on the wheel you decide to go with (light weight wheels are pricey as the cheaper wheels are heavier).

I personally felt no noticeable difference when switching from the stock 16's to my boyds, it's all subjective though.

 

Also beware of the cost..........Up here in Canada going from 17" to 18" can cost an EXTRA $500 for rims and tires!!!