Changing The Size Of The Wheels.

[Vectra Bear]

Hi there,

I'm looking to get bigger wheels/tyres on my 57 plate vectra estate in black, and I wondered what size I could go up to, I will look myself of course, but I thought I'd post on here to see if anyone had a idea, I'm not sure if it's all of this type of car, but it seems to be quite low to the ground.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Lew.

[Vectra_C_Chris]

What model is it?

SRi, GSi, CDTi?

The SRi and GSi are lower than the other models, bar VXR. (Not sure what the plate number relates to regarding year of model )

I went 19" on my 2003 GSi, had no problems with scrubbing or any of that.



19" snowies lowered 30mm on Eibach springs

[bangty 1]

i had 20in chromes and nuffing was a signum tho

[PANDY 3.2 V6]

Won't be a gsi on a 57 plate. 19s will be fine apart from poor ride quality. Twenties will only be ok if you put rubber bands on them

[Tmd]

Only thing to consider is the gearing will be changed. Larger wheels = higher top speed but less acceleration, smaller wheels gives the opposite more acceleration but lower top speed. Less torque is required to move smaller wheels so you accelerate quicker. I am no physicist (can't even spell it) but I am basically correct.

[Jezzy]

Only thing to consider is the gearing will be changed. Larger wheels = higher top speed but less acceleration, smaller wheels gives the opposite more acceleration but lower top speed. Less torque is required to move smaller wheels so you accelerate quicker. I am no physicist (can't even spell it) but I am basically correct.

Not entirely applicable, because when you increase the wheel diameter you also reduce the tyre profile to compensate, hence 17" wheels and 215/50 tyres have pretty much the same overall circumference as 16" wheels and 215/55 tyres. That's why when you fit 19" snowflakes, you don't use 50 or 55 section tyres, you use 35 section.

[Ziggy]

Im running 20's on my estate on 30mm drop eibachs

Pics on here http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137676

[Ziggy]

He has a design acording to his profile, so lowered 15mm from standard. anything up to 20's will be fine with correct tyre profile

[Tmd]

Yes you're right as long as your tyre is thinner to compensate then no effect. Some people go from 16" wheels to 19" rims and so that's 75mm of profile to reduce to compensate - so it will be a raise in gearing in a lot of cases be it slightly.

[jimbojetset]

I've found that in general when I've put bigger wheels on my cars for example 17" to 19" the fuel economy has decreased by as much as 10%.