Thinking about new wheels...

[TheyCallMe Tim]

So since I decided to keep my car, I'm considering doing some new wheels in the spring along with a lot of new suspension mods as long as my budget permits. The wheels in question are Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2, I want to go with 17x8 in the front (245 tire instead of 275 to help with turn-in response), and 17x9 with the current size 275/40R17 (although a different kind of tire). Here's a quick and dirty photoshop I did real quick. What do you think?



BTW other mods in the plans are Strano springs, KYB or Koni adjustable shocks, custom solid sway bar end-links, and a custom Wilwood 4-pot front "big-brake" set-up.

[JoeliusZ28]

I like what you have better

[TheyCallMe Tim]

I like what you have better

I like the Z06's too, my concern is that the huge tire up front does nothing to help the turn-in response of the f-body suspension. I may look into having the fronts narrowed to fit on a 245 series tire if the mods I'm planning for the spring don't properly address the issue. Also the offset on the vette wheels leaves a little more gap than I like, and the Team Dynamics offer completely customizable specs to get everything just right. I'll see what I decide in the spring, I may pick up a set of APR wheel studs and some spacers and play with the offset a bit.

[MP81]

I like your current ones as well...

[92conv]

[JoeliusZ28]

I like the Z06's too, my concern is that the huge tire up front does nothing to help the turn-in response of the f-body suspension.

What makes you think that and perhaps you could clarify?

I would disagree because I have definitely noticed a difference in tire width affecting handling on my 4th gens.

My old 275 BFG Comp T/As, which seemed wider than my current 275, made my car handle like it was on rails. I wish i still had them.

Ive had two sets of 275s, 16" 265s, and I think 235s? on the steelies. all of them handled differently.

[OIF1VET]

Sorry, those don't work for me.. But remember it's your ride and do what you like!

[TheyCallMe Tim]

The issue that I have currently is that my car tends to understeer a bit on turn-in, especially on faster corners. Now this could have to do with my stock springs and beyond shot shocks, I'm not blocking that out as a culprit, but I think if I went with a slightly narrower tire up front it could help sharpen the turn-in response a bit. Now the thing does grip like hell and I have no problem with oversteer whatsoever (unless it's intentional ), I'm just trying to fix one problem I've noticed. I'm going to start with Strano springs and adjustable shocks, and probably a shock tower bar, so that very well could fix my problem.

Partly I'm just looking for a more race-bred look and something that's probably much lighter than the Zs.

[JoeliusZ28]

ill be honest i notice a little understeer on my v6 too but i dont think its ever once happened on my Z28. Its just a different weight distribution with a v6 up there

I would try a stronger sway bar before anything.

[9T8W66]

Ok Tim
While I'm not a suspension guru per say I've learned alot in the last Year or so from all the reasearch I did. The stock DeCarbon Shocks are incapable of dampening even the stock springs, they are just that bad.
I currentlly am running Strano Springs, Koni 4/4's, Strano's 35/22 hollow Swaybar set and a UMI adj. Panhard Bar. I can say without a doubt that this is the best handling setup for an F-body. Only thing that would make it better is the Watts Link (which I will be getting sometime soon).
The springs and shock will help your problems enormously but a matched set of swaybars is essential for a balanced setup.
I dropped $1500 on all this stuff last Spring and after driving it for the last 9+ months I can tell you it was worth every penny. The ride is firm like a Sports Car But not Harsh like a Race Car. Plus the Car maintains composure in almost all situations. It realy make driving enjoyable, that is if you like bash through the back roads.
I would have very little problem letting someone sample the performance capabilities of this setup, I feel it's that good.
Orion Road anyone ?

[TheyCallMe Tim]

I live on Orion Road. It's my testing ground. I already have a 32/19mm swaybar set-up with poly endlinks, and the Strano springs and some adjustable shocks are definitely next on my list of things to do. I'm also looking at UMI LCAs and an adjustable Panhard bar. I need to do something about my brakes too, but I think I might hold out and develop my Wilwood set-up over the winter.

[9T8W66]

I hear ya about Brakes,
I'm sitting at 130K and only the front pads have ever been replaced.
definetly one of my next projects aswell.

[Phantom409]

Sorry, those don't work for me.. But remember it's your ride and do what you like!

Personaly I like Chrome

[c0ncEpT]

I live on Orion Road. It's my testing ground.

Watch out for deer while your rallying that thing threw there brother!

[TheyCallMe Tim]

Personaly I like Chrome

I've never really been able to get into chrome. It's just not my thing.

On the deer thing... DEFINITELY! I've had a couple close calls but I've been lucky so far. There are only a couple sections I really go hard on anyway, one of which is the long sweeper just off Rochester Road.