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!

[CtrlAltDefeat]

Originally Posted by kngrsll

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!

the derezza star specs were on sale iguess becausethey were $111 a piece for the 17" wheels

[kngrsll]

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDefeat

the derezza star specs were on sale iguess becausethey were $111 a piece for the 17" wheels

another reason i like 15" tires, they are MUCH cheaper.

[fmicle]

Originally Posted by kngrsll

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!

I was actually looking at some rims today and saw that if I went with 15x7" I'd have more to choose from as opposed to 15x6.5", as recommended by this thread. I want to go as light as I can for a reasonable price on the wheels. Maybe Enkei or something.

So how much can I deviate from "the letter of the law"? Are there any trade-offs? Most tires seem to fit a range (such as 5"-7" for instance), so that wouldn't affect the tire selection much. What would I sacrifice/risk with a 15x7 setup?

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by fmicle

What would I sacrifice/risk with a 15x7 setup?

nothing if the weight was on point :)

[kngrsll]

Originally Posted by fmicle

I was actually looking at some rims today and saw that if I went with 15x7" I'd have more to choose from as opposed to 15x6.5", as recommended by this thread. I want to go as light as I can for a reasonable price on the wheels. Maybe Enkei or something.

So how much can I deviate from "the letter of the law"? Are there any trade-offs? Most tires seem to fit a range (such as 5"-7" for instance), so that wouldn't affect the tire selection much. What would I sacrifice/risk with a 15x7 setup?

i use a 15x7 and it works great, i would use anywhere from a 195-225 on it and it will be fine. you wouldnt be sacrificing anything but a tiny bit of weight.