Going FI: Tires and Suspension
#17
07-16-2006, 08:51 PM
#18
07-16-2006, 11:07 PM
If you keeping stock wheels, you probably won't notice a difference by switching tires. RE05's are already good. You could get better like PS2's, but you will lose traction anyways with any street tire. You could go wider(ie. 285+), but that to me just looks wierd on skinny wheels and like sentry said, he still lost traction.
If you want traction, it's not going to be cheap.
If you want traction, it's not going to be cheap.
#19
07-17-2006, 12:59 AM
Originally Posted by Dan_K
If you keeping stock wheels, you probably won't notice a difference by switching tires. RE05's are already good. You could get better like PS2's, but you will lose traction anyways with any street tire. You could go wider(ie. 285+), but that to me just looks wierd on skinny wheels and like sentry said, he still lost traction.
If you want traction, it's not going to be cheap.
If you want traction, it's not going to be cheap.
wow that would be a little to wide for even my rims.
#20
07-17-2006, 01:17 AM
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#21
07-17-2006, 01:26 AM
Originally Posted by sentry65
LSD, solid motor mounts, control arms with stiffer bushings, a solid differencial mounts, softer rear springs, braces like the rear GT-spec braces are all things that also help with traction in the rear
#22
07-17-2006, 01:44 AM
Originally Posted by G.Ride
I just purchased 18x9.5s for my rear and I went with 275 40s. 285s wow that would be a little to wide for even my rims.
wow that would be a little to wide for even my rims.
.......Heck I have even stretched a 325/30/18 on the 9.5" wheel before...now that was a bit too wide...Hahaha. My recomendations, in order of good to better, again (for performance and looks) are......
18's
18x9.5-10.5" (27-30mm. offset) wheels (for the rear) 275/35/18, 285/35/18, 295/35(or 30)/18, 305/30/18, or a 315/30/18
18x8.5-9.5" wheels (25-30mm. offset) wheels (for the front) 255/35/18, 265/35/18, 275/35/18, or a 285/30/18
19's
19x9.5-10.5" (27-30mm. offset) wheels (for the rear) 275/35/19, 285/35/19, 295/30/19, or a 305/30/19
19x8.5-9.5" (25-30mm. offset) wheels (for the front) 275/30/19, or a 285/30/19
Last edited by wa2good; 07-17-2006 at 01:48 AM.
#24
07-17-2006, 11:36 AM
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#25
07-17-2006, 04:10 PM
Originally Posted by G.Ride
So are you saying that my tires are going to be stretched on these rims? If thats the case, I may have to cancel that and go bigger.
I just assume to get the most out of things, and in this case, we are dealing with traction (the most important element, IMO) You can just go much wider than most people think with these wheels. Widder is better!
#26
07-17-2006, 04:19 PM
Originally Posted by wa2good
Your tires should be fine, just a little on the skinny side for my taste and preference. I just assume to get the most out of things, and in this case, we are dealing with traction (the most important element, IMO) You can just go much wider than most people think with these wheels.
Widder is better!
I just assume to get the most out of things, and in this case, we are dealing with traction (the most important element, IMO) You can just go much wider than most people think with these wheels. Widder is better!
#27
07-20-2006, 08:51 PM
I think the key in this case is to go as wide as possible on your rear tires. Anything less than a 295 would not give you enough traction. I have a 285/35R19 and I still lose traction once in a while and I have an NA motor. Going with a lower UTQG rating would also help with better traction - at the expense of lower tread life. Tires like Bridgestone RE-01R, Pirelli Zero Corsa, Pirelli Zero Rosso, or Yokohama Advan Sport.
#28
07-20-2006, 10:53 PM
Some things to consider:
Today's wider performance tires have contact patches that aren't the best in wet conditions, especially maximum performance dry tires. So you might not be getting that much benefit from a maximum performance tire in the wet (the dry is a different story). So you might want to look at dry performance since only a moron is going to be ripping around in the wet.
Traction loss is a factor of how you drive. I prefer not to hammer my car hard on the gear changes and from low/no speed. So for me a 275 rear is sufficient and I have power/torque numbers that are pretty similar to your initial goals. What is a bit freaky is around 4500-5000 rpms you will still be able to break traction with 275's...........so I'd say if you can squeeze larger tires in the back, so be it.
Turning radius is going to take a bit of a hit when you upsize the tires, so keep that in mind also.
I'm sorry, but I'm not too familiar with the 05's and on, so I'm not really sure what tires to suggest based on availability of that width/profile/size.
Today's wider performance tires have contact patches that aren't the best in wet conditions, especially maximum performance dry tires. So you might not be getting that much benefit from a maximum performance tire in the wet (the dry is a different story). So you might want to look at dry performance since only a moron is going to be ripping around in the wet.
Traction loss is a factor of how you drive. I prefer not to hammer my car hard on the gear changes and from low/no speed. So for me a 275 rear is sufficient and I have power/torque numbers that are pretty similar to your initial goals. What is a bit freaky is around 4500-5000 rpms you will still be able to break traction with 275's...........so I'd say if you can squeeze larger tires in the back, so be it.
Turning radius is going to take a bit of a hit when you upsize the tires, so keep that in mind also.
I'm sorry, but I'm not too familiar with the 05's and on, so I'm not really sure what tires to suggest based on availability of that width/profile/size.
#29
07-21-2006, 06:32 PM
I assume you are not going to track or autoX your car. Thus my 2 cents is based on a TT street car.
Stiffer sways are the finest bang for the buck upgrade you can consider, and I definitely agree with your inclination to do that. An adjustable sway set like Stillen makes, and there are others, is a good way to go.
A full coilover like Tein Flex, with a lowering of the car about an inch is also a very good idea, to get the center of mass down.
The single most important thing you can do is tires. I would start there, and work backwards to the wheel choices to fit the rubber.
Houston is a wet place, so you need a tire that will express water efficiently. Take a look at the Nitto 555, but especially their radical new Invo tire also.
Tire sizes and picture: http://www.invotire.com/
Specs and description: http://www.nittotire.com/tires_invo.asp
You could go with a 275/40/ZR18 all around on 9.5 inch rims for a very balanced package that will turn like a crazed rat. If you pick a lightweight wheel like the Enkei NT03+M you will drop several pounds of corner weight per wheel....even though you have wider rims. You will probably need a 3mm spacer for the fronts only, running 27mm offset on all wheels. The increase in crispness, turn in response, and grip will be nothing short of staggering compared to stock. The added patch will help hook up the extra torque as well, as your TT will be putting down way too much for the stock set up to handle on spirited acceleration in 1st, 2nd and even 3rd gear.
Good luck.
Stiffer sways are the finest bang for the buck upgrade you can consider, and I definitely agree with your inclination to do that. An adjustable sway set like Stillen makes, and there are others, is a good way to go.
A full coilover like Tein Flex, with a lowering of the car about an inch is also a very good idea, to get the center of mass down.
The single most important thing you can do is tires. I would start there, and work backwards to the wheel choices to fit the rubber.
Houston is a wet place, so you need a tire that will express water efficiently. Take a look at the Nitto 555, but especially their radical new Invo tire also.
Tire sizes and picture: http://www.invotire.com/
Specs and description: http://www.nittotire.com/tires_invo.asp
You could go with a 275/40/ZR18 all around on 9.5 inch rims for a very balanced package that will turn like a crazed rat. If you pick a lightweight wheel like the Enkei NT03+M you will drop several pounds of corner weight per wheel....even though you have wider rims. You will probably need a 3mm spacer for the fronts only, running 27mm offset on all wheels. The increase in crispness, turn in response, and grip will be nothing short of staggering compared to stock. The added patch will help hook up the extra torque as well, as your TT will be putting down way too much for the stock set up to handle on spirited acceleration in 1st, 2nd and even 3rd gear.
Good luck.
#30
07-21-2006, 08:13 PM
I would not use or recommend the Nitto Invo for a car with TT. Limited sizes and not enough grip in that tire. Driven on them and they are more appropriate for NA vehicles. The 555 is no different. The feature that is good with the Invo and the 555 are their above average performance in wet weather. If you live in states like California then get something better. I would be great if the Nitto NT-01 had better size offering but we are not that fortunate. Go with the NT-01 if you are only running 18-inch wheels and dont mind running a smaller diameter tire size (at 25.6 inches it's about 1-inch shorter). The NT-01 is a good street/strip/track tire. Stiff sidewall and grippy tread compound. Just be prepared to buy a new set of tires every 7K to 10K miles.
Originally Posted by Eagle1
I assume you are not going to track or autoX your car. Thus my 2 cents is based on a TT street car.
Stiffer sways are the finest bang for the buck upgrade you can consider, and I definitely agree with your inclination to do that. An adjustable sway set like Stillen makes, and there are others, is a good way to go.
A full coilover like Tein Flex, with a lowering of the car about an inch is also a very good idea, to get the center of mass down.
The single most important thing you can do is tires. I would start there, and work backwards to the wheel choices to fit the rubber.
Houston is a wet place, so you need a tire that will express water efficiently. Take a look at the Nitto 555, but especially their radical new Invo tire also.
Tire sizes and picture: http://www.invotire.com/
Specs and description: http://www.nittotire.com/tires_invo.asp
You could go with a 275/40/ZR18 all around on 9.5 inch rims for a very balanced package that will turn like a crazed rat. If you pick a lightweight wheel like the Enkei NT03+M you will drop several pounds of corner weight per wheel....even though you have wider rims. You will probably need a 3mm spacer for the fronts only, running 27mm offset on all wheels. The increase in crispness, turn in response, and grip will be nothing short of staggering compared to stock. The added patch will help hook up the extra torque as well, as your TT will be putting down way too much for the stock set up to handle on spirited acceleration in 1st, 2nd and even 3rd gear.
Good luck.
Stiffer sways are the finest bang for the buck upgrade you can consider, and I definitely agree with your inclination to do that. An adjustable sway set like Stillen makes, and there are others, is a good way to go.
A full coilover like Tein Flex, with a lowering of the car about an inch is also a very good idea, to get the center of mass down.
The single most important thing you can do is tires. I would start there, and work backwards to the wheel choices to fit the rubber.
Houston is a wet place, so you need a tire that will express water efficiently. Take a look at the Nitto 555, but especially their radical new Invo tire also.
Tire sizes and picture: http://www.invotire.com/
Specs and description: http://www.nittotire.com/tires_invo.asp
You could go with a 275/40/ZR18 all around on 9.5 inch rims for a very balanced package that will turn like a crazed rat. If you pick a lightweight wheel like the Enkei NT03+M you will drop several pounds of corner weight per wheel....even though you have wider rims. You will probably need a 3mm spacer for the fronts only, running 27mm offset on all wheels. The increase in crispness, turn in response, and grip will be nothing short of staggering compared to stock. The added patch will help hook up the extra torque as well, as your TT will be putting down way too much for the stock set up to handle on spirited acceleration in 1st, 2nd and even 3rd gear.
Good luck.