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Wheels for the track??
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Wheels for the track??
So, I am going to Sears Point in October for the Audi weekend. I would like to buy some 19" wheels for track use only and am looking for advice/thoughts? These would ONLY be used on the track, so looks are not part of the equation. What would you guys recommend? Also, tires? Someone told me that Falken makes a good cheap race tire?
What I'm hoping is there is a cheap, but strong wheel out there, something made just for the track, but something that I would not be spending extra dough on because of fancy design, or chrome, or name brand etc. etc. Is there a generic out there?
Perhaps I'm crazy? First track event so...
Any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks
JL
What I'm hoping is there is a cheap, but strong wheel out there, something made just for the track, but something that I would not be spending extra dough on because of fancy design, or chrome, or name brand etc. etc. Is there a generic out there?
Perhaps I'm crazy? First track event so...
Any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks
JL
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Joined: Jul 2008
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Re: get a used set of OEm wheels. you can find em cheap in the classifieds & craigslist
yeah, i have thought of that, but was hoping to go with 19"'s if i could and there are not a lot of OEM 19"'s out there for the audi. again, i am new to all of this, have never bought new wheels for a car - i mean second set, or whatever. i have replaced wheels, so... i am completely in the dark here. can i just get any 19in wheels as long as the bolt pattern etc. fits?
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Old car mag article on this went the other way...
I think it was either C&D or R&T. Several years ago now they tested wheels of different diameters and found 17" was the maximum diameter sweet spot for overall performance. Above that and it was adding weight and hurting performance. I would expect you could find a good number of 17" OEM wheels out there, and 16" wheels seem a dime a dozen of course. Tires are cheaper in general in the smaller diameters too. I would expect a 17" tire on an A4 in about the 25" overall diameter (that is, whatever stock outer diameter is) would yield a fairly low profile tire already, even at pretty wide sizes. OEM wheels are typically on the sturdier and heavier side, but to not increase the weight in the larger diameters, you would end up paying up a fair amount, or risk buying an underengineered wheel. Also for track, if anything I would expect you would not want to be oversized in general (using too big an overall tire diameter) given that would just modestly raise the effective gear ratio.
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okay, so i guess my thinking was wrong
thank you for this. i was wrongly thinking a 19 and some low profile tires would be best for the track. but i think i get what yer saying, go for a 17" rim and still go with a low profile tire - more options, hence cheaper? ah ha. okay, one more question, i have 18's on my A4 now, if i go with some 17's would i be changing the "gear ratio" too much in the wrong direction, and does it even matter on the track? going down to 17's will a lose too much off the 6th gear, or will it not even be noticeable?
i really appreciate the help here guys.
i really appreciate the help here guys.
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It nets the same unless you choose to alter it--which you might
As you drop in rim width, you typically come up on the aspect ratio in a street context. Often but not always you can find either the tire diameter and/or the rev's per mile posted with the tire specs. See TireRack's site for example. From rev's per mile you can directly calculate the effective gear change, which when going up or down an inch in overall tire diameter nets to a handful of percent from my street experience. Not a huge change, but some.
You may also consciously want to stay with the same aspect ratio (or perhaps even go down a bit) as you drop the rim diameter, both to alter the gear ratio for a little more pep, but also consciously to drop the car. On the track you would not expect ground clearance issues like parking stops and driveways. And getting it lower improves aerodynamics and lowers center of gravity. Doing it with the wheels only and not in the suspension means it is still 100% ready with the street wheels to deal with the everyday obstacles of driving.
All reasons to head toward smaller rather than larger in a track context.
You may also consciously want to stay with the same aspect ratio (or perhaps even go down a bit) as you drop the rim diameter, both to alter the gear ratio for a little more pep, but also consciously to drop the car. On the track you would not expect ground clearance issues like parking stops and driveways. And getting it lower improves aerodynamics and lowers center of gravity. Doing it with the wheels only and not in the suspension means it is still 100% ready with the street wheels to deal with the everyday obstacles of driving.
All reasons to head toward smaller rather than larger in a track context.
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thank you thank you thank you
makes so much sense! okay, i have a line on some cheap 17's OEM which i think i will go for. my next question may be meant for another tread, but... here it goes. any thoughts on track tires for a first time newbie? something good, but reasonable in price?
