Wheel and tire decisions...

[jwalton]

I have an NB on Swift springs (~1" drop) and Koni Yellows. The wheel tire combo I currently have is 17x7 SSR Integral GT1's with 215-40-17 Falken Azenis RT615k. As you can probably imagine, the ride has been somewhat compromised but I got the wheels for a steel and they are a definite aesthetic improvement over the stockers. That being said, I'm trying to figure out my next step:

Option 1: Stick with what I have and just buy new tires (they're almost worn out). The cheapest option but fixes nothing.

Option 2: Experiment with 215-45-17s. My GPS says I'm doing ~2.5 miles an hour slower than my speedo which if I'm reading all of the tire calculators right will roughly be corrected by moving up one ratio. The downside is that I'm not sure if it'll start rubbing. It might also improve NVH a bit, but the heavy weight of the 17" wheels will still leave the whole handling thing compromised. The second cheapest option.

Option 3: Sell the SSR's for whatever I can get for them (have no clue where to ask for...) and get some nice 15's like the ubiquitous 6UL's (in never-in-stock-black) which I really, really like. I'm pretty sure 15x8's will fit and some have said 15x9's will as well, but I also don't want to over-tire the car. It is supercharged, so a little extra meat is probably warrantable, but 15x9's may be a bit overkill. This is obviously the most expensive option.

Suggestions? Am I missing another option?

Thanks

[socal pat]

First, some 15x8 will for sure fit. And the selection of 224/45 tires is just huge. I kinda wish sometimes that I hadn't gone with 16x8 myself. My 245/35 tires are a bit over-tired as you say. Someone in the Honda (or like) community will probably love to get some SSR's.

[Toby Weir-Jones]

Suggestions? Am I missing another option?

Thanks

When you installed the lowering springs, did you do anything with the OEM bumpstops?

If not, chances are you're riding around with very little actual spring compression travel remaining before you transition into the rubber. The bumpstop is, in essence, a progressive-rate spring, but it very rapidly surpasses 1000lb/in equivalent rate. In other words, not suitable for a daily driver Miata.

If you want to experiment, the easy way to check is to put some nylon zipties around the shock rod. While the car is at rest, press them all the way down (so they're in contact with the top of the shock body) and then drive around as you normally would. If you find them rammed into the rubber after one trip around the block, you have no usable suspension travel, and fixing that will do much more to help your ride than the wheel & tire package.

This was a bigger problem with the earlier cars, but the later ones also suffer from it, so it's worth eliminating it as a likely cause.

twj

[jwalton]

When you installed the lowering springs, did you do anything with the OEM bumpstops?
twj

Actually, I started with H&R springs that lowered the car over 1.5" and the bumpstops were dealt with at that point. The ride was horrific, with the stock tires rubbing the fender liners with any appreciable compression. I switched to the Swift springs to solve that. I'm trying to judge the impact of the 17" wheels and small 40 series sidewalls and how much that could potentially change things. I'm thinking quite a lot. When I put my stock 16" wheels on, it is a much better ride. For me it's a cost/benefit thing I'm trying to work out.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Here's a fix from the Walmart parking lot.

[jwalton]

Here's a fix from the Walmart parking lot.

Wow, and to think that I spent all that time and money trying to make things fit right when all I needed to do was get a hacksaw and a hammer.

Actually, I'm part of the 6UL club now and I absolutley love the difference. And I like the new look of the car.

If anyone really wants a set of 17x7 SSR Integrale GT1's, they're available to a good home... (for a price of course, make me an offer)

[Godless Commie]

I have a set of 225/40/16 T1Rs with KYB AGX and lowered Teins, and I really like it.