Wheel/Tire Size & Grip Comparison to HP and Torque Options

[Inferno]

I was reading an article yesterday in the latest Sport Compact Car about their project 350Z and a thought popped into my head. Let's say you have a high horsepower and torque vehicle, maybe 300-500 HP after the 3S-GTE swap and some engine work. Now, let's say you have 17 inch wheels and tires. If you have a decent amount of HP and Torque, would 17 inch tires and wheels actually decrease your launch/acceleration ability? I was wondering if they'd slip/spin more, due to smaller wheels with more HP and Torque. 18-19 inch tires are bigger and also might decrease acceleration due to weight gain, but would they outweigh the weight factor by having more contact with the ground and actually give you more acceleration? I could just be rambling on about something that isn't that important to most. And I could be wrong on my thoughts. Someone with knowledge help me out, cos I'm curious about this!

[kuya1284]

If we're basing your question on 300 to 350 HP with a FF (Front mount engine / Front wheel drive) car like our Celica's, regardless of what tire size you use, you will definitely spin out.

That's a lot of power and torque that a FF car can handle. Even with LSD, the wheels will burn out. LSD will help, but the driver will still have to gradually push on the gas. Once the car gets to about 4000 RPM's, he/she should be able to floor it.