Hating 17s Options

[phokur]

So I went from 16" aftermarket wheels to 17" tc wheels. I will admit, they look awesome... but the ride quality sucks! I feel way more body roll, the vibrations through the steering has exponentially worsened, the back end will kick out which I couldn't do if I tried before, the car feels much much slower while accelerating, and I even think I dropped mpg! Anybody else experience this while transitioning? Any resolutions?

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

What size tires are on?

[95CelicaST]

probably stock tire size..

17" wheels will weigh more (on average. There are some crazy light ones out there) which will effect your acceleration.

You probably feel more roll because now you're sitting up just a bit higher than before.

The resolution to it all.... lower your car. Lowering the car with tein's and koni shocks will dramatically reduce the body roll, as well as look great. You would also benefit from a rear sway bar from Suspension Tech, which would also negate some body roll and give the car better handling.

As for the wheels, you're going to have to live with it or sell them and put yout 16" wheels back on.

[Sinyk]

I like my 17's and the ride quality is the same. It was poor when I first had them installed because they weren't balanced properly which caused a lot of steering vibration, but everything else is great.

[phokur]

My tires are 285-70-17. My old 16s are bent, so no going back. But I guess I will be looking into lowering her. Was considering it anyway with how much it currently sags. I haven't balanced them yet, so that may be a good idea too. Thanks for the tips

[95CelicaST]

285/70-17.... I hope you're joking.

Look again. That would be like... 10.5" wide tire.

If they are the stock tC tires then they are 215/45R-17

[Sinyk]

I haven't balanced them yet, so that may be a good idea too.

Yeah... there's your problem there. Balance them and your steering wheel vibrations will stop.

[Gary]

My tires are 285-70-17. My old 16s are bent, so no going back. But I guess I will be looking into lowering her. Was considering it anyway with how much it currently sags. I haven't balanced them yet, so that may be a good idea too. Thanks for the tips

I hope that's a typo.
Tires that size cannot be installed on a Celica.

[playr158]

balance and alignment....

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

285-70-17 is the perfect size for a truck. That's huge!

[phokur]

Sorry, that's off of my old Jeep... 215/45ZR17. haha

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

I have 215/45 on my wheels and they ride great. Alot better then the 215/40s I had. Take them to a tire store and have them check the balance and to look for any bent wheels. To get rid of the body roll, need to modify your suspension. Shocks, springs, sway bars, etc.

[jdg371]

My 17x8 are only 16LB =]

[purplegt4]

maybe the sidewalls aren't as stiff, and the overall quality of tires are different.

[prowzee]

thats pretty big.. ive seen a integra with 60 series i guess they were trying to tuck tire or sumthing

[j0e_p3t]

how's the tread life of the tires? bad tires could be the reason your rear kicks out on hard turns.

[phokur]

I'd say 80-90%, they're near new. I did hit the turn pretty hard, but I'm sure it would have stuck on my old 16s. Could just be the extra bodyroll putting additional stress on the outside tires. I think lowering should fix it. Don't think I'll go for the rear sway bar though, be getting too expensive.

[95CelicaST]

172.60 for rear sway.

http://www.nopionline.com/nopistore/dsp_pa...TOYOTA%20Celica

[97Celica]

people have no idea how much balancing does. it can really affect A LOT.

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

people have no idea how much balancing does. it can really affect A LOT.

+1. I worked at Discount for over 2 years. Balancing helps the tire from wearing out funny and giving problems.

This post has been edited by BLINKYxMUNKEY: Oct 18, 2007 - 8:57 AM

[phokur]

In spirit of doing this as cheaply as possible, anybody know anything about the Arospeed Coilovers?

edit: Only see the ones for 00-04 celis, would these work on the older celis?

This post has been edited by phokur: Oct 19, 2007 - 12:31 PM

[95CelicaST]

If you're just getting the coilover springs, and not a full set, I would go with nothing but Ground Control. Everything else looks pretty cheap and crappy. I spent 500 bucks and got my coilovers and brand new shocks. It's worth the money. Don't go with "Arospeed" or "dropzone" or "bombz" or anything like that. Stick with something that has more of a background to it.

[6strngs]

definately get those tires balanced. It really shouldn't be too expensive. maybe $10 or $15 at the most! I work at America's tire co. and I know it makes a big difference. if not anything else, it'll prolong the life of your tires, as would having them rotated and rebalanced every 6,000 miles or so. (I'd just do it every oil change)

[playr158]

If you're just getting the coilover springs, and not a full set, I would go with nothing but Ground Control. Everything else looks pretty cheap and crappy. I spent 500 bucks and got my coilovers and brand new shocks. It's worth the money. Don't go with "Arospeed" or "dropzone" or "bombz" or anything like that. Stick with something that has more of a background to it.

Arospeed actually has a pretty big background.

I was pretty much the only one on this site that has used them.
I liked them a lot really right feeling in the corner and performed very well. almost go-kart like.
never had an issue with them, BUT they are very stiff springs, not something you'd really want for your average daily driver.

[lagos]

In spirit of doing this as cheaply as possible, anybody know anything about the Arospeed Coilovers?

edit: Only see the ones for 00-04 celis, would these work on the older celis?

if you think your ride quality sucks... wait till you get those cheap coilovers on!
btw, you cant use 00+ stuff on our cars.

[phokur]

Guess I'll go Teins and new shocks/struts then. Thanks for the help.