Ever since I added my Progress RSB I have noticed that the car's suspension is no longer the weakest link in good handling. Before, my tires (235/45-17 Potenza RE950s) stuck to the road like glue and were very hard to break loose around corners. Now the car doesn't lean a fraction as much as it used to but the tires break loose very easily. Granted, the car handles much better, but I'm thinking if I upgraded the tires the before/after RSB install difference would be even more pronounced. Insanely so I might add.

Note that before adding the RSB I had already installed Maxspeed springs and a FSTB.

Question...is my assessment of this correct? Not knowing enough about suspension upgrades, I'm just assuming that the more you modify the system the more the car is capable of doing, but the tires have to be able to accomodate the upgrades. Anyone else notice this after installing an RSB? Did you upgrade tires and how happy are you with the results?

Thanks,

Tony

 

Bad tires can make the best suspension not perform anywhere near its potential.

 

I noticed the exact same thing!

 

You are exactly right.. I'm fixing to install my teins and kybs, and after that look into better tires.. the potenzas suck

 

I believe the Potenza RE950s are all-season tires which are great for areas that have snow, but if it doesn't snow where you live I'd suggest looking into some summer tires that have better handling capabilities.

 

Yep. After my RSB & FSTB I noticed how bad my tires suck. I'm getting lowered on Monday with Teins and GR-2s so I know I'll have to upgrade the tires. I think I'm going to get the rims you have (Phantom GTRs) in 18"s (I love the way they look, but I figure I might as well go up a size) but between that and the tires it's another $2K !

Are you happy with the rims after having them long term? Also, are they lighter than the stockers?

Thanks.

 

Yeah.....same thing here...only I have the Stillen RSB....that thing makes the rear end so stiff, that the tires definitely break loose alot easier.....

 

I am very happy with them. I have noticed that there is a little bit of rust inside the small round holes between the lugs nuts. I don't know if this is normal, but I'm not too concerned at this point.

My 17s weigh 18 pounds each...very lightweight.

Tony

 

Yes...they are "high performance" all seasons according to Tirerack. I bought them because of the excellent reviews they got...of course, most people haven't modded their cars like I've done with mine. I'm thinking Michelin Pilot Sport next time.

Speaking of summer tires vs. all season tires...I noticed that the Pilot Sport all seasons have a 400 tread-wear rating as compared to 220 summer Pilot Sports. Assuming that the all seasons will wear about half as fast as the summer tires, what would be the point of buying the summer tires? Do the summer ones handle better on dry pavement? I noticed that the summer tires cost $183/ea and the all seasons were $201/ea.

Tony

 

According to what I have discovered in my research, the summer tires are a stiffer tire that offer MUCH better handling in wet and dry. The all season flavors are also adding snow performance which take away from the rain / dry. The problem is, the summers wear much quicker because of the harder rubber.

Realistically, your best bet is to get a good set of summer tires for the summer and a set of winter tires on your stockers for the winter. That way you can keep the performance good all year round!

Also, you might want to look at the Potenza Pole Position SO3s. People say they are 99% as good as the Pilots for less $$$.

 

Rust huh? That doesn't sound too good

 

Don't you mean softer rubber?

Yes...I've heard good things about both. Thanks!

Tony

 

Ummm...yes. Got it backwards

Hey, I've been trying to find info on the 18"s Nakayama Phantom GT-Rs and there is no information on them (and even fewer places that sell them). Do you know where I can get info like offset? Even the homepage for the company has no info.

Did you get yours at Washington Wheel and tire?

Thanks.

 

Tony, Have you been on the track after you RSB install. I have the stillen and I've been on the track a few times before and after that and all I can say that the difference is amazing. The car handles the corner a 100x better than before. I am not sure if the Progress RSB is adjustable or not. If it is, you may want to see if you have it set up at a stiffer setting. If so the rear end will tend to come out a lot easier. I have the Nitto 555 tires on stock 17 SE rims and lowered w/. Eibach and Tokico and I haven't had my car lose tracion in the corners (to the extent that it would spin out) and I've pushed it a lot at the track.

 

I got mine from Victoria Tire & Wheel. Maybe they can answer your questions.

Nakayama Racing Phantoms

Tony

 

There are no "tracks" where I live, but there are tons of deserted, twisty county roads around here. Yes...the difference is amazing. I don't think the Progress is adjustable, but I could be wrong. It is definitely very stiff, though. I haven't noticed that the back end is swinging around necessarily, it's more like a 50/50 slide...which is a good thing, and makes me think it's my tires. I've had plenty of experiences with over and understeer and think my "problem" is just that I want to take the corner faster than the tires are willing to adhere to.

What exactly are you adjusting on your Stillen RSB? Is it just placement of the brackets?

Tony

 

Could you point me to a source for the Progress rear bar?
Thanks

 

www.cattman.com

 

This place had the package I was looking for $500 less! Thanks

I've got to call them next week to get the info.

 

Got it, Thank You