 1997 1/24 RCCA Warren Johnson GM Performance Parts White NHRA Pro Stock Car US $65.00 
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Does changing rims on my car affect its performance?
Does changing out the stock rims on my car for bigger rims have an effect on anything? (suspension, gas mileage, etc.)
Changes to wheels and tires affect all aspects of vehicle performance.
For example: My Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V came from the factory with a 17x7J alloy wheel and 215/45ZR (87Y) summer-only UHP tire. Great April through October, useless the rest of the year in Minnesota. For winter I use a 15x5.5J steel wheel with 195/60R15 88Q Blizzak winter tire. Handling and braking are dramatically different on dry pavement. Ride is about the same since the tire and wheel packages weight the same amount - 43 vs. 44 pounds. But the car can't be driven in the winter without them.
For track use I have a set of light 17x7J wheels with 225/45R17 90W Kuhmo Ecsta V700's. This combination is 5 pounds lighter per wheel and I can feel the difference on the track with notable quicker reaction times. Grip is of course much higher as this is essentially a track tire. Ride quality goes right down the tubes.
If I had gone with the type of package that is all the rage these days, like a 18x8J wheel with a 225/35R18 XL 87W tire my ride quality would suck even more, braking distances would increase, steering response MIGHT be slightly better but grip would probably be no different. The problem is the greater weight of the larger diameter wheels. Ideally if rules allowed I would use 16 inch wheels for the track but I have to use 17's to stay "stock".
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