Tamago's guide to ultimate yaris handling

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by fmicle

I am looking for a little advice. So the wheels I have now on the Yaris were the very first mod I did and I must say, I didn't do my homework before buying. So I ended up getting 16x7" with 195/50-16 tires. After finding this kick-ass thread and doing more reading on the subject, I'm thinking about going back to 15x6.5" with 195/55-15, as recommended here

Now, I also have lowering springs (NF210) and shocks on my list, which is the next thing I had in mind, but I was wondering, would it make more sense to replace the wheels first and then get the springs and shocks or get the springs/shocks first?

do the suspension first, and then worry about wheels/tires after.

remember, the tire itself is the most important mod. size is less of an issue, whereas the tire compound itself is VERY important. don't go cheap on tires, and it'll reward you.

[kngrsll]

Originally Posted by Tamago

do the suspension first, and then worry about wheels/tires after.

remember, the tire itself is the most important mod. size is less of an issue, whereas the tire compound itself is VERY important. don't go cheap on tires, and it'll reward you.

there is much truth in this statement... if i could only do one mod to the car, id buy star spec direzza's for it.

[CtrlAltDefeat]

Originally Posted by kngrsll

there is much truth in this statement... if i could only do one mod to the car, id buy star spec direzza's for it.

it's funny you mention those.. I'm thinking about upgrading my stock wheels to 17x7 Enkei RPF1 wheels with 215/40 star spec direzza's... I plan on keeping my stock steelies for winter use. The RPF1wheels are about the same weight as the the stock 15s, so I don't think weight will be an issue. This is my daily driver, so I am wondering if I'm going dangerously low profile and whether or not the ride will be too rough... Any one got any advice? Tamago?

[kngrsll]

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDefeat

it's funny you mention those.. I'm thinking about upgrading my stock wheels to 17x7 Enkei RPF1 wheels with 215/40 star spec direzza's... I plan on keeping my stock steelies for winter use. The RPF1wheels are about the same weight as the the stock 15s, so I don't think weight will be an issue. This is my daily driver, so I am wondering if I'm going dangerously low profile and whether or not the ride will be too rough... Any one got any advice? Tamago?

that set up sounds fine to me. i prefer smaller tires mostly bc they are cheaper and i see alot of fast people use that set up. im not an engineer, so i just copy what works. im using 15x7's with a 195/55/15 dunlop. its a great set up. you can get the wheels for $120 a piece or less, and the tires are like $80 a piece. awesome deal, awesome set up... ive passed corvettes on hoosiers with this set up lol, seriously. cant wait to get the LSD installed and get some real race tires to try out nasa TT!

[Tamago]

sidewall is less important than the tire you choose. a 55 sidewall StarSpec is gonna be better than a 40sidewall (17inch) somethingelse..

sidewall is only detrimental when you're working with crappy tires like the Falken 512. the sidewalls are soft, and flex way too much in cornering loads.

[JumpmanYaris]

Tamago u need to work on my vehicle make it like urs

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by JumpmanYaris

Tamago u need to work on my vehicle make it like urs

like the xA, not like the MR2 haha the MR2 is awful right now! Drift City!

[advocate]

Tamago could you offer your opinion on these wheels:

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...t/21-1045.html

Things I need help choosing:
Tire sizes: for street use. going for good mix between weight / traction. have 205s now would like to go smaller.
Wheel size: 14s vs 15s. i want a good mix between weight / looks. i'm thinking 14s just might be too small since the car is not a miata after all.
Wheel width: 15x7? 15x7.5?

Relevant info:
Running the DF210s and Tokico blues.

If I had to take a stab in the dark i'd probably go with 15x7.5 with 195/50/15.
Any thoughts? More importantly is that Miata wheel even going to fit? I picked them because they're cheaper than hell, amazingly light, and from konig. Figured it was a great combo.
Thanks!

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by advocate

Tamago could you offer your opinion on these wheels:

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...t/21-1045.html

Things I need help choosing:
Tire sizes: for street use. going for good mix between weight / traction. have 205s now would like to go smaller.
Wheel size: 14s vs 15s. i want a good mix between weight / looks. i'm thinking 14s just might be too small since the car is not a miata after all.
Wheel width: 15x7? 15x7.5?

Relevant info:
Running the DF210s and Tokico blues.

If I had to take a stab in the dark i'd probably go with 15x7.5 with 195/50/15.
Any thoughts? More importantly is that Miata wheel even going to fit? I picked them because they're cheaper than hell, amazingly light, and from konig. Figured it was a great combo.
Thanks!

if you're going for looks, avoid 6.5" wide wheels. they simply don't fill the fenders very well. if you're looking to save weight, the wheel above is the one for you, very lightweight for the money, but you're sacrificing (IMO of course) looks FOR weight, i think that wheel looks awful hehe.

[kngrsll]

Originally Posted by advocate

Tamago could you offer your opinion on these wheels:

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...t/21-1045.html

Things I need help choosing:
Tire sizes: for street use. going for good mix between weight / traction. have 205s now would like to go smaller.
Wheel size: 14s vs 15s. i want a good mix between weight / looks. i'm thinking 14s just might be too small since the car is not a miata after all.
Wheel width: 15x7? 15x7.5?

Relevant info:
Running the DF210s and Tokico blues.

If I had to take a stab in the dark i'd probably go with 15x7.5 with 195/50/15.
Any thoughts? More importantly is that Miata wheel even going to fit? I picked them because they're cheaper than hell, amazingly light, and from konig. Figured it was a great combo.
Thanks!

i use a spec miata wheel right now (Team Dynamics) and it is a perfect fit as if it were made for the car.

[tooter]

Originally Posted by kngrsll

i use a spec miata wheel right now (Team Dynamics) and it is a perfect fit as if it were made for the car.

Even this two year old thread still has useful information. I also ordered wheels (Rota RB's) to Mazda Miata specifications, and they'll be arriving any day now.

My thanks to the good folk who left these messages of good advice.

[advocate]

Need some pics kngrsll! Also, thx for the confirmation

[kngrsll]

Originally Posted by advocate

Need some pics kngrsll! Also, thx for the confirmation

ive posted some before...

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19355

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

TAMAGO,
on a 205-55-15 setup what tire pressure should be ran for commuting at speeds between 70-90 on a daily basis? current pressure is 36 lbs......

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by ROCKLAND TOYOTA

TAMAGO,
on a 205-55-15 setup what tire pressure should be ran for commuting at speeds between 70-90 on a daily basis? current pressure is 36 lbs......

sounds good.

if you want better fuel economy at the risk of wearing the center of your tires out prematurely, go up a few psi.

if you want better grip, drop a few psi off.

i run 36 front, 28 rear on my xA, but i also don't have a standard alignment or weight bias.

[ddongbap]

I remember running my Re92s at 52~ psi. They started splitting down the middle. Cool stuff.

[allyart]

i have a yaris 5doors hatchback, may i ask some question:

1. when tamago says yaris is he refer to the yaris sedan or the yaris hatchback?

2. when tamago explain the rear swaybar, does he means something like ultra racing Rear Anti-roll Bar / Rear Sway Bar / Rear Stabilizer Bar (Code : UR-AR23-197) OR the ultra racing Rear Anti-roll Bar / Rear Sway Bar / Rear Stabilizer Bar (Code : UR-AR16-126)?

3. lastly, how do you feel about ultra racing Front Strut Bar / Front Tower Bar (Code : UR-TW2-402). is it a good investment to buy?

many thanks for the reply, sorry for my bad english

[eTiMaGo]

wow hadn't read this thread in a while :)

1) I think this would apply to both, but I'm quite sure he meant the hatchback

2) At the time of writing there was really only the TRD rear swaybar. UR offers swaybars now in two thicknesses, The thicker one will have a stronger effect and induce more oversteer.

3) front strut bars are a bit of a controversial topic. Some say that because the shock tower are more or less directly connected to the firewall, there's no point in adding a bar. But some say that at higher cornering speeds (i.e. on track or autocross), you can feel a difference.

So in the end, I think it depends if you plan to seriously race the car or not? If it's to enjoy a spirited drive, you should be fine with the smaller swaybar and no strut bar, as you'd probably never push the car to the limits of handling on a public road (at least I hope not)