jtkirk00

I have RSB,FSTB and H&Rs. Unfortunately I have the 15 inch steelies on the car. When I installed the RSB, FSTB and HR, I didn't notice much change in handling. Soon I will get 17 inch rims with Kuhmo high performance tires. Will this complete the suspension for my car? What changes will I notice? I hope it's more noticeable than the thins I have done so far.

NJ_MAX2000

Well, perhaps the biggest change you will notice is -$$$$.$$

Y2KMaxGXE-R

iTrader: (4)

I have the same setup. When upgrading to 17"s you may loose in performance, because these 15's are light. Someone just posted info that a 15" w/tire weights 40 lbs vs. 235x45R17 Tantrum w/tire 46lbs.

jtkirk00

I'm more concerned about handling. Going from a 205/65/15 to a 235/45/17. Will handling improve? It seems like it should but most posts on here said that FSTB and RSB would help handling and I didn't notice anything.

NJ_MAX2000

You're not pushing the car hard enough to feel anything? To really apprecite the difference you have to take some hard corners fast.

jjs

You probably have not felt much from the FSTB and RSB since their effects may have been 'dampened' by tire limitations. Don't know exactly what you expect but there should be some good coming from dropping your sidewall by half (approx.). Just don't get ****ed when ride quality (i.e. smoothness and bump control) go down the toilet.

I also agree with NJ_MAX2000. You may be easing into corners, again due to tires, not the car.

jtkirk00

I take corners at good speed but nothing wreckless. I feel the same amount of roll as before the installation. I am hoping it's dampened by my tall tires and that 17s will be a huge change.

jjs

Personally I went from stock 225 50's to 225 55's and noticed a bit less cornering tighness, but that was ok with me since I got sick of the harder ride of the 50's. If I could tell the change with a ratio difference of 5, you should be able to tell more from 65--->45!

ru4real

iTrader: (3)

I think going from 15s to 17s will be like night vs. day. The lower sidewall will make it feel much more connected to the road.

beaglemax

I have a 5spd 2k gxe with fstb and rsb. I put these on before changining wheels. There was a siginficant (huge) change going to 16x7.5 inch wheels with 215/55 kumho tires from stock. It felt like a new car. (much better handling with HIGHER limits) Going to 17 inch wheels with wider, lower profile tires will make it handle that much better. For me, 17 inch wheels were not worth the extra ride harshness because the roads in Miami are all flat and straight with lots of congestion.

jtkirk00

thanks for the response, good to hear someone has been through the same thing as me, the roads in DC are harsh as can be but I hate the 15 inch steelies with hubcaps

jjs

If the roads are that bad you may be getting yourself into a 'love the handling/hate the ride' rollercoaster every time you drive. I know Houston roads suck, don't want to experience them with 45's or less.

Good idea would be to first test a new Max at a dealer with the SE wheels and tires. This may let you know whether a 50 or so series tire is too hard or not. Downfall of this strategy would be to get you all excited about the 3.5 and then a whole different dilemma arises.