My experience going from 16s to 18s
08-10-2008, 05:51 PM
#1
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My experience going from 16s to 18s
Noticed some interesting changes so here goes.
Total unsprung mass up from 44lbs to 50lbs/corner
Straight line: Interestingly enough I didn't notice much of a decrease in acceleration, but I DID notice a pretty serious decrease in braking, even with HPS pads the car has never had a great braking ability but now that's just amplified.
Corners: Obviously response has improved with the smaller sidewall, but roll steer/toe steer/bump steer has greatly increased (from not noticeable to definitely noticeable) for the same reason, less of a steering angle will produce a tighter turning radius. This is mostly noticeable at higher speeds as less of a steering input will give a greater degree of body roll.
Around town: Bump steer has increased for the same reasons outlined above. Ride has obviously become much more jarring, but also steering effort has decreased. I found that interesting since scrub radius had actually increased (from a +35 wheel to a +30 wheel), but I guess the smaller sidewall means less of a longitudinal contact patch... I'm still not sure on this.
Also, smooth as silk on the freeway--hunter roadforce FTMFW.
Anyway..
Total unsprung mass up from 44lbs to 50lbs/corner
Straight line: Interestingly enough I didn't notice much of a decrease in acceleration, but I DID notice a pretty serious decrease in braking, even with HPS pads the car has never had a great braking ability but now that's just amplified.
Corners: Obviously response has improved with the smaller sidewall, but roll steer/toe steer/bump steer has greatly increased (from not noticeable to definitely noticeable) for the same reason, less of a steering angle will produce a tighter turning radius. This is mostly noticeable at higher speeds as less of a steering input will give a greater degree of body roll.
Around town: Bump steer has increased for the same reasons outlined above. Ride has obviously become much more jarring, but also steering effort has decreased. I found that interesting since scrub radius had actually increased (from a +35 wheel to a +30 wheel), but I guess the smaller sidewall means less of a longitudinal contact patch... I'm still not sure on this.
Also, smooth as silk on the freeway--hunter roadforce FTMFW.
Anyway..
Last edited by MorpheusZero; 08-10-2008 at 09:11 PM.
08-18-2008, 08:26 AM
#5
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Location: Brandon, FL
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I went from stock 215/55-16 on my 2000 Maxima GLE to 245/45-18 (2004 maxima stock rims). Thanks to the miata.net calculator, i know that my speedometer is 5.4% too slow. I'm considering 235/40-18 tires to minimize that percentage down to 0.4% too slow. As expected, I've noticed that the ride has become stiffer, for one thing, but I'm afraid that I might be hurting something else in the car. Any thoughts, please?
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Last edited by Nelsito65; 08-18-2008 at 08:35 AM.
08-22-2008, 12:52 AM
#6
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You're not hurting anything more, you might develop a few more rattles in the chassis by jarring it about but nothing too out of the ordinary.
However, if your alignment is off you will be scrubbing your tires down faster than normal.
However, if your alignment is off you will be scrubbing your tires down faster than normal.
08-25-2008, 12:51 AM
#8
I just wanted to add that going from 15s to 18s on my 4th gen also resulted in similar symptoms as described by the author of this thread. I borrowed a set of 18s off a wrecked 350Z and rode em overnight. Could it be because of the RWD wheel's offset is way off from the stock's? I loved the look of these 350Z rims but there was so much bump steer that i did not want my wife and newborn in the car with her driving it. Looked really good though, non lowered anyway.
Last edited by turbizzy; 08-29-2008 at 01:07 AM.
08-29-2008, 01:49 PM
#13
For now i got the stockers back on, im really looking for some Altima 3.5SE 5 spoke 17s so if anyone has any leads let me know please.
08-29-2008, 03:51 PM
#14
dont do it. get actual lowering springs. search for H&R and Tein H-Techs for soft springs rates and slight lowering.
08-29-2008, 04:17 PM
#15
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No he was talking to ****ie, who clearly has a 4x4 wheel gap.
That's great. Make your own thread(s) and stop posting your life story with pictures in mine.
If so, hell yea I DO!. I was just bored one day so i decided to try on a few sets of wheels to see what'd they look like. I've been kinda lookin around for lowering info, i don't want to ask any already answered questions so ill keep my mouth closed but if anyone wants to hook me up with some info via PM or something... i just wanna lower it a lil bit since my girl drives it mostly and plus we're having a baby so i don't want a roughass ride. I was thinking about just cutting the stock springs a bit at a time until im happy with em, i know its ghetto but i aint trynna cash out on coilovers or anything like that.
For now i got the stockers back on, im really looking for some Altima 3.5SE 5 spoke 17s so if anyone has any leads let me know please.
For now i got the stockers back on, im really looking for some Altima 3.5SE 5 spoke 17s so if anyone has any leads let me know please.
08-29-2008, 04:35 PM
#16
My bad for the offtopic hijack guys, not trynna be a **** or start any trouble. I guess im just used to certain types of boards and personalities. Thanks for the lowering advice.
Mods, please delete my previous posts. Thanks.
Mods, please delete my previous posts. Thanks.
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