Wheel Tire combo question
 

So ive been lurking around for a few weeks, and have decided to make my first post.

I have an 06 ls Cobalt, and am looking to make some rim and tire upgrades soon as the car will be paid off in the next several months. I am concerned with performance more so than looks. So I after doing some research it seems that the 5lug ss rims weight about 24-25 lbs each. My factory 15inch 4lug steelies weight 35lbs with the wheel and continental slug tires.
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9...1464gz9.th.jpg
The spare weights in at 23.8 lbs

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/6...1470jo0.th.jpg
The Jack and all this junk weights 5.8lbs

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/2...1469yq7.th.jpg

So I compiled a list of 18" rims less than 20lbs
Advan Model 5 Cast 18x8 19.8
BBS RC Cast (soft) 18x8 19.5
BBS RCJ Forged 18x8 17.9
BBS RG-R Forged 18x8 17.2
BBS RG-R Forged 18x8.5 18.0
Centerline RPM Forged 18x8.5 15.0
Enkei Bortex MII (RPM-2) Cast 18x8 17.5
Fikse FM-5 Forged/Spun 18x8.5 18.0
Kyoho Tracer Cast 18x8.5 18.0
Mazdaspeed MS-01 Forged Mg 18x8.5 16.6
OZ Crono EVO Cast 18x8 19.0
OZ Superleggera Cast 18x8 17.6
Racing Hart CP10 SSF 18x8 18.0
Racing Sparco Viper R (Japan Only) Forged/Spun 18x8.5 16.3
Ro-Ja Formula 5 Forged 18x8 19.0
RS Watanabe Cyclone Forged Mg 18x8 14.6
SSR GT1 SSF 18x8 19.0
SSR Type-C (called Competitions in the US) SSF 18x8 15.0
Stern Aguzze-S07R Forged 18x8.5 16.5
Team Dynamics Visage Forged 18x8 17.4
Volk GTN Forged/Spun 18x8.5 19.0
Volk TE37 Mag Forged Mg 18x8.5 12.9
Wed's TC-005 SSF 18x8 17.7
Wed's TC-005 SSF 18x8.5 17.9
Work Emotion Forged 18x8.5 17.4
Work Rezax II Mag Forged Mg 18x8.5 19.0
Work Rezax III Mag Forged Mg 18x8 17.4

Of those I liked these two the best
Centerline RPM Forged 18x7
Motegi Trak Lite 17x8 42mm offset

Then on centerlines website I noticed the Storm rims were the same weight of the new RPM rims.

So im thinking some Centerline Storm 17x7 42mm offset.

I went with 17s because the factory ss brakes clear 17's and they are lighter than 18's

My question is what suggestion does everyone have for tiresize
I was thinking 235/40R17, 235/45R17, or 225/45R17. But after the size is selected, what tire compound does everyone recommend for some decent priced street tires. IE less than 150 per tire.

In addition to that what is recomended on a 7 inch rim for tire width, most member seem to say on the factory 18s with a 7 in width rim there are no issues with a 235 rubbing, I am leaning towards the 235/40R17.

I will have some brake questions soon when I get time to post anywho thanks in advance.

you COULD run anywhere from a 205 to a 245 on a 7 inch rim
for safety performance and looks i would say 225-235

Konigs FTW:twothumbs....light weight and look great...205/40/17

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...5/DSC00263.jpg

drop first, then rims. especially on an LS. All of centerlines 17's weigh around 16lbs BTW.

Enuff_Said, that is nice lookin, what is the weight on that rim?, and im curious I looked at the Konig site and saw the Konig Feathers they look nice, price is better than the centerlines too, but im curious about the offset, what offset do you have? vs you have a 205 width tire i would like to go wider than that.

Why are you concerned about SS Brakes???

I will post that question soon, dont you worry.

I've been looking at wheels at tires for my LS for about a year and a half now. Money has just been to tight to buy anything. The lightest things I have found in all that time are the 17x7 Motegi tracklight 1.0's. There are lighter wheels out there supposedly but every link I have investigated either comes up dead, the wheel is no longer avaliable, or the company website doesnt have a weight listed. Tire Rack has been my go to website for this info because they have the largest selection and all the info. The 17x7 Motegies wrapped with BFGoodrich g-Force Sport 215/45R17 rubber weight 1 pound over the the factory wheel and tire combo.

are these the ones you are looking for? http://www.streetortrack.com/Motegi-...-pr-17690.html

it says they are forged and weight 14lbs. But they want 268$ for em. I can get the Centerline storms for a little less than 200 each. Or I just looked at the Konig Feather they are as cheap as 100 each but they aren't forged. Looks like they are cast.

I believe the weight is 16.8...offset is 40

anyone have any thoughts on the tire sizes i mentioned?

Yep thats them, the centerlines look like a good choice, so do the Konig's. I recommended the Motegies because you said you where more interested in performance. Thats the same reason I'm getting them. They are the lightest wheel currently available, not to mention I love flat black 5 spokes. The price difference is a very good point though. Both the Centerlines and Konig's are cheaper and depending on your personal preferences the better choice. I came to the conclusion that price be damned the Motegies are exactly what I want, I just have to wait for them is all.

Personally 235's are tad overkill. 215/45's are the recommended tire size by tire rack. There are a bunch of tires in that size under $150. Plus a 215/45R17 is about the same size as the stock 15's wheel and tire combo. A 235/40R17 is about the same size as the stock 15 but they only come in summer not all season. From what I can tell they are pretty $$$ too, easily over your $150 cap

For the LS base model, the best tire sizes are : 205/45R17 or 225/35R18..

Look for yourself..
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...?action=submit