Wheel and suspension technical questions...

[LoserCard]

So after changing out my wheels with some Kosei K1 Racing 16x8.5 +37 wheels, my steering feels much lighter than before and it feels much more rail-like. I know some of it has to do with my previous wheel weight (28lbs), but it got me thinking about suspension effects.

In an ideal world where people aren't trying to go all JDM tyte and go super flush, wouldn't you want your wheel to be "as close as possible" to your strut to reduce the cantilever effect placed on your suspension and wheel bearing? Also doesn't this make the wheel scrubbing minimal and the overall wheel/hub radius when turning smaller? (less need to bucket wheel wells if necessary)

Basically my question is: Assuming both wheels are the same width, does a narrower stance with correct suspension geometry outweigh the benefits of a wider stance and does it make any difference grip wise?

[simmode1]

Wider is better. See Super GT /F1/DTM/LeMans cars.

Personally, I feel prefer 17x9 with 235/40/17 fronts are best for entry level S13 setups. 245's and 255's are really challenging to fit up front. Rear sizes just depend on whether you prefer to stagger or not.

[OutToWinPAHC]

and make sure you get that on an alignment rack. everything affects it, offset, tire-size. Your probably toed in now.

[krash]

Simmode got it. Wider is better. Obviously you don't want the wheel sticking 3 feet away from the strut, but a wider stance will keep you planted. I just upgraded my wheels and tires as well, and holy crap the difference is amazing.

[LoserCard]

While the subject is on wheels and tires, would it be better to keep my tires neutral or run a staggered setup? My car is currently NA.

[Razi]

Neutral would be better.

Our cars are front heavy, so running skinner tires up front wouldn't make sense.

[simmode1]

Obviously you don't want the wheel sticking 3 feet away from the strut, but a wider stance will keep you planted.

Yep. There is a balance that must be achieved. Not too wide, not too narrow. Not too low offset, not to high offset. But even with that, there is still room for preferences.

Although, I do get what you're saying OP. I have seen some cars that went widebody and suffered from increased/larger turning radius' at low speed. Whether or not that drawback showed itself as understeer at high speed, I don't know. In some cases, I'd sure it would. But there are just too many variables to each individual car's setup to refute the general consensus that a modestly wider stance is better than a narrower one.