does increasing wheel diameter increase top speed?

[JDMitation]

okay i have old crappy beater that doesn't exactly have the muscle to hold its own in the left lane on the freeway. if i mash the pedal all the way to the floor the car maxes out at 89MPH :p

the problem is i have recently been taking this car to tucson twice a week. :whatever: (it's a carburated truck).

I remember from my ricer days somebody telling me that my 18''s were slowing down my accelation... but the way they affected the car's gearing would result in a theoretically higher top speed...

the wheels are 15''x5.5'' 6 lugs. if i slightly upsize the wheels (no 24'' ballin rims though lol) will i be able to increase my top speed on the freeway?

[hawaii_DA6]

okay i have old crappy beater that doesn't exactly have the muscle to hold its own in the left lane on the freeway. if i mash the pedal all the way to the floor the car maxes out at 89MPH :p

Holy shit thats fast!!!

[JDMitation]

Holy shit thats fast!!!

:lmao:

[noVtecHERE]

X2... FNF up in this Bizzi!

[StateOfMind]

The logic behind it would say that your speed will increase but will make more work for the motor to get them going. That would be the logic but how it would wok i am not sure?

[Type - O]

i think it does. larger diameter covers a larger distance at the same rpm as opposed to a smaller diameter at the same rpm.

[JDMitation]

The logic behind it would say that your speed will increase but will make more work for the motor to get them going. That would be the logic but how it would wok i am not sure?

hahaha that's why i want to know.

if i was big ballin i would just swap in a chevy small block... but then getting traction would be my problem :p

[projectaccord]

time for a test run!! shoot for 91 mph!

[Type - O]

and i think thats the trade, small wheel, faster acceleration, lower top speed, bigger wheel, slower acceleration faster top speed

[mooshin]

Yes it will gain 2-3mph if you upsize the wheel diameter a few inches. Not worth it really.

[hawaii_DA6]

If your engine has the torque to keep your transmission gearing and final axle gearing going, above 89 mph, then yes. Increasing wheel/ tire size does effectively increase theoretical top speed, but wheather or not you engine has the power is for you to decide.

does your vehicle come very slowly up to 89 mph from a freeway cruise? If so, its most likely that your truvk engine will not be able to do much more work than it already is doing.

I know, it sucks when you go on long trips with a vehicle not capable of at least 100 mph easy.

[tincam84]

last time i checked the speed limit was 75 mph on I-10...

[Type - O]

^^^^^^........75 sucks, especially for long ass trips

[JDMitation]

last time i checked the speed limit was 75 mph on I-10...

i don't know if you've been outside your house this millenium... but driving 75mph on i10 is road rage and sideswipes waiting to happen. it's not safe to be that slow and not be able to speed up when everyone around you is cruising at 95.

[hawaii_DA6]

last time i checked the speed limit was 75 mph on I-10...

True, But...

Many of times Ive had cops pass me while i was driving roughly 95 mph going to Vegas. They dont really get too strict when on long "middle of nowhere roads"

its nice to be able to do at least what the traffic is doing. And Im pretty sure everyone can agree with me, traffic speed is nowhere near 65-75 inbetween Here and So-Cal, or here and Vegas.

[shawnRs914]

the speed limit is 75 on the 10??? lucky i paid attention to that one...

yes larger lighter rims will increase your top speed... but ummm your beater might be on its last leg... I used to hate driving my Bronco the speedo would peg at 85... i never knew how fast i was going on the 10..

[sn_halo]

my truck tops out at 100mph on the governer but the 5.3l has no problem getting there but it still sucks when i want it to go 150mph

[honduh_head]

the only way it would change your gear ratio is if the total height of the wheel AND tire are changed....just changing the wheel size does nothing until you up/down the size of the tire too.

[azcrx]

the only way it would change your gear ratio is if the total height of the wheel AND tire are changed....just changing the wheel size does nothing until you up/down the size of the tire too.

True that. Overall diameter has to be changed

[tincam84]

my truck tops out at 100mph on the governer but the 5.3l has no problem getting there but it still sucks when i want it to go 150mph

lmao :clap:

[bodydrop]

why not upgrade some on the motor? instead of getting a new set of wheels. get a better flowing exhaust (or no exhast increases top ens slightly and also slightly kills bottom end) and a higher cfm carb, k&n filter. it will all add up to somthing.