17 inch rims..lowering issue
12-08-2004 | 02:56 PM
#1
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From: freeport
17 inch rims..lowering issue
I am thinking about purchasing some 17x8. front (205/50-17) tires
and 17x9.5 rear (225/45-17 tires) wheels. I was wondering if these rims would make my ride higher than a stock (my2000....16 inch)setup considering the height of the sidewall of the tires? Will they be the same height or will i be pimpin' a 4X4. thanks.
and 17x9.5 rear (225/45-17 tires) wheels. I was wondering if these rims would make my ride higher than a stock (my2000....16 inch)setup considering the height of the sidewall of the tires? Will they be the same height or will i be pimpin' a 4X4. thanks.
12-08-2004 | 04:04 PM
#2
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From: Frisco, TX
Yes. Anything other than the stock height (in the positive increase) will make your car taller. Go with a shorter tire height, i.e. 40s or 35s to offset the increase in wheel diameter. Jim is apparently knowledgeable about what fits the s2k why don't you pm him for some further advice? What are your stock tire heights?
12-08-2004 | 04:38 PM
#3
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From: Indy, In.
Those do not sound like optimal sizes for the car. First, the wheels may be a bit wide, especially if your offsets are not perfect and second, the tire sizes you chose seem to be a bit small for those wheels.
12-08-2004 | 06:07 PM
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From: freeport
the tire sizes i specified were recommended for the ssr professors at www.tirerack.com Anyone want to chime in with what would be the best tire sizes?
12-09-2004 | 07:18 AM
#6
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From: Houston
225/45 and 255/40 are the correct tire sizes, or 215/45 and 245/40 if offsets low.
To answer your original question, the overall car height (outside tire diameter)doesn't really change. Most people with 18" wheels lower their cars for looks. Some with 17" do as well, but it isn't necessary, IMO.
To answer your original question, the overall car height (outside tire diameter)doesn't really change. Most people with 18" wheels lower their cars for looks. Some with 17" do as well, but it isn't necessary, IMO.
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12-09-2004 | 07:52 AM
#8
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From: Maple Grove, MN
This depends on the size of your tires. Let's start by looking at the height of the factory tire :
225/50/16. Calculated out that's a tire height of :
(225*.50*2)/25.4+16 = 24.85inches
The new tire you're looking at has a height of:
(205*.40*2)/25.4+17 = 23.45inches
That means the overall height of the tire is actually shorter than the stock tire. Thus your car will be lowered by half of the difference (since half of the height is above the hub and half is below it). Thus your car will actually lower by 1.4". Likely it will amount to an actual change in height of nothing because this does not calculate in side-wall flex or tire pressure changes. This is also a calculated height assuming that the tires are fitted to the proper rims and a bunch of other things.
But on this topic you have to remember you're dealing with two separate issues. Changing the elevation of the car because of a larger tire/wheel will not affect the suspension geometry and will have a minimal effect on the way the car handles. However lowering it through suspension changes will affect the geometry and the way the car handles dramatically.
Typically a car is optimized to provide the best compromize between ride quality/feedback/handling with a tendancy towards the first and second more than the third when it leaves the factory. There may be some gains to be had by lowering the car a little, however in Mustang land, for example, ( my uncle has a mustang, so we dealt with all of these issues) the point of diminishing returns arrives between half and three quarters of an inch of lowering. This is only for the suspension geometry, there is some additional gain due to the lower center of gravity beyond that. However, you can quickly get into trouble beyond 1" because of the way the strut suspension is setup and how it behaves at large amounts of travel.
So, what does all of this mean for your s2000 ? I have no idea. Ideally you'd take supsension geometry into account and see what happened as you cycled it. Remember for a street car you want to try and maintain some amount of wheel travel (ie don't set it so low that it's on the bump stops), as well as ground clearance for things like snow drifts and dead raccoons (believe me they smell for days!). Some additional camber over stock isn't bad, but you need to keep an eye on the tire wear and be sure the toe is set properly as that will wear a tire faster than anything. I hope this is helpful, in u making the correct decision..now, it's off to work for me..
-A. Swift
225/50/16. Calculated out that's a tire height of :
(225*.50*2)/25.4+16 = 24.85inches
The new tire you're looking at has a height of:
(205*.40*2)/25.4+17 = 23.45inches
That means the overall height of the tire is actually shorter than the stock tire. Thus your car will be lowered by half of the difference (since half of the height is above the hub and half is below it). Thus your car will actually lower by 1.4". Likely it will amount to an actual change in height of nothing because this does not calculate in side-wall flex or tire pressure changes. This is also a calculated height assuming that the tires are fitted to the proper rims and a bunch of other things.
But on this topic you have to remember you're dealing with two separate issues. Changing the elevation of the car because of a larger tire/wheel will not affect the suspension geometry and will have a minimal effect on the way the car handles. However lowering it through suspension changes will affect the geometry and the way the car handles dramatically.
Typically a car is optimized to provide the best compromize between ride quality/feedback/handling with a tendancy towards the first and second more than the third when it leaves the factory. There may be some gains to be had by lowering the car a little, however in Mustang land, for example, ( my uncle has a mustang, so we dealt with all of these issues) the point of diminishing returns arrives between half and three quarters of an inch of lowering. This is only for the suspension geometry, there is some additional gain due to the lower center of gravity beyond that. However, you can quickly get into trouble beyond 1" because of the way the strut suspension is setup and how it behaves at large amounts of travel.
So, what does all of this mean for your s2000 ? I have no idea. Ideally you'd take supsension geometry into account and see what happened as you cycled it. Remember for a street car you want to try and maintain some amount of wheel travel (ie don't set it so low that it's on the bump stops), as well as ground clearance for things like snow drifts and dead raccoons (believe me they smell for days!). Some additional camber over stock isn't bad, but you need to keep an eye on the tire wear and be sure the toe is set properly as that will wear a tire faster than anything. I hope this is helpful, in u making the correct decision..now, it's off to work for me..
-A. Swift
12-09-2004 | 11:11 AM
#9
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From: Indy, In.
Great post! He is exactly right about suspension geometry changing as the car is lowered. Mine is lowered about 1 1/2in. it was tough to get it properly aligned at that height. I would never go any lower. Others do but they may be more concerned with show appearance or looks. I am more concerned with handling than looks. But, I do have to say it looks hot.
