Ok, my dad swears that by switching from 16x8 GTA diamond lace rims with 245/50/16 rubbers to fourth gen WS6 17x9 rims I would notice a HUGE decrease in ride quality and the suspension parts would wear out much faster. Is this right or complete ?? Thanks for your help...

 

you probably wont notice anything. i have 18's and the ride is only slightly harder

 

I told my son the same thing when he wanted to go from 16's to 17's due to the lower profile tire. There's not much ride quality to begin with, since it already has a stiff suspension. He installed them and I honestly could not tell a difference.

 

thanks guys. yeah, he said that a reduced profile tire would kill the ride quality.....too bad it never had any to begin with.

 

to really kill the ride quality you would need somnething like 22's with low profile rubber bands.

 

I've noticed no change in "ride quality". I had the GTA wheels with BFG KDW tires and switched up to 17" TT2s with the same BFG KDW tires and the ride is the same but the car does handle better. I was also worried about this but figured I'll never know until I do it and each person's opinion about ride quality is subjective anyway.

 

I think the slight tradeoff in ride quality is well worth the increased response & handling provided by the 17's. I would do it again in a second if it was my car.

If you wanted ride quality, you would be driving a Caprice, not a Camaro. Use the car for what it was meant for performance....

 

I don't see a difference of an inch being much of a difference in ride quality. My girlfriend's car when she got it had some SUPER low profiles (like 245/30R18s I think). That sucked. She got something with similar sidewall to my 275/40R17s and it really helped the ride out. Not sure about the speedo, though.

 

now I'm thinking of some c6 or c5 rims, 17x8.5 up front and 18x9.5 in the back.... with these I would expect SOME decrease in ride quality, but at this point i dont really care. as for wear on suspension parts and axles and such, how would they affect things?

 

It all dependes on your suspension.


Why? Because tires are also in essence 'springs' or 'having spring rate'


On most cars with average shocks and springs, an adition of a lower sidewall (in most cases translates into a stiffer frequency rate over bumps) will make a soft suspension car all of a sudden feel like it has more of a performance intouch feel with the road.


Now, build a cars suspension to a race value of performance and motion roll and you will notice a BIG difference in the feel of any change in tire sidewall height (Note that I did not say change in tire profile height- progfile height is not always and indication of sidewall height- it pertains to overall profile of the width to height aspect ratio)
Best predictable handling charateristics comes with a stiffer spring and an average size sidewall height- rather than having a softer spring and less sidewall height. The latter tire will loss traction much more abruptly when the slip angle in breached (the sweet spot comes and goes quicker) making the car harder to put on edge and hold it there.


Conclusion is based on just what you yourself specifically have in mind for your perticular car in future modifications if any- and what your overall interest would be with the car- If its a daily cruiser or if is going to be a real performance minded build. My suggestions is not to go above a 17" rim with a 25.7" overall diameter tire.but thats for optimum handling and control in all out cornering.


Most important to remember is it is not just the size of tire- its the quality of the tire. Not all 245/50-16 tires for example have the same spring frequency on bump impact- that goes for matching all of any other size tire either- brand is important.

 

I love my 17's, went from 15's to 17's, and it really improved the handling SO MUCH.....Could'nt tell any loss of ride quality, but with all the stuff my cars has on it, it does not have much quality.....If ya want all that buy a Caddy....I like the harsh race car feel.......

 

thanks for all the input. this stuff has been really helpful, and i get what your sayin tidbit...Im trying to stay around a 17in rim, but i have a real tight budget and some of the 18s for sale around here are cheaper. but thanks a lot guys!!!

 

That's good that your at least considering what your dad has told you. My son tends to believe what his buddies "think" they know over what I "do" know. Some of the newer stuff, I admit I can't help him with in some cases. But I've been around the block a time or two as I've been hot rodding for 35 yrs. + and have had a few fine Camaros in my time. A '68 w/ a built GM targetmaster 350, '68 big block 396 SS/RS, 70 1/2, 72Z, 85Z, 94Z and several others, but these were the ones that meant something to me.

 

I will dare to say I have probably 20 times the modifications race wise that you have and my car does in fact have a good ride quality. and it don't corner to bad either and this has been documented. Most of you have no idea what a new one of these car felt like- Mine actually rides quieter and more solid than a factory new IROC or such. Its knowing what to fix and how to adjust it. Its statements like this that just make me shake my head.
Best way I can try and discribe the ride of my Camaro in words is it handles it feels like a new Vette in passenger comfort, noise, and overall cradling your body while driving- actually I would say better. So if you call a new Vette harsh, then I am harsh. I would say I am solid, quiet, firm, yet extremely responsive. Passengers remark just how secure they feel in this car when in the passenger seat and how neat it is to follow the conture of the road at speed yet be comfortable. It took 1)alot of money thought to get it that way, and 2) alot of know how in setup and balance to get it that way.

 

i noticed a slight difference going from 245/45-17 to 235/55-16.. opposite what you are.. 17's were just a bit rough compared to the 16's.. but thats just me.. i pick up every little thing.. i mean every thing.. the tires for the 17's were rocks.. i mean kumho's.. 16's were goodyear(much softer).. you should be fine with the 17's..