When lowering with 17's do i need to change...............?

[Kev]

When lowering with 17's is there nething else i can change to make the transition sweeter - I thought that with larger wheels the amount of movement on the wheel on its vertical axis would be increased by the same increment as the increase in wheel size 1/2.

Also i have lowered my suspension by 35mm and its made the steering a bit heavier. I know this is normal but would fitting say an HGT steering rack and hydraulics system make a difference, as they have larger wheels and stiffer suspension than my 1.2 sx to start with?

I might be a plonker but its worth asking as i saw a post about modified anti roll bushes or summit, my drive train is standard apart from wheels (205/40/17) and my suspension (Koni Adjustables and 35 mm lowering springs).

Also has ne1 had experience with the Novitec anti roll bars as my 1.2 rolls like a boat. I was thinking of purchasing them!

Cheers Guys/Gals

Kev

 

[kev]

Me again..........

Ne1 going to respond?

Kev

 

[Tom]

Re: Me again..........

Putting stiffer bushes on would not make any difference to the roll, you would just need to see your dentist more often.

Once you start down the route of new roll bars then you need to look at the rear and then more to the front and more to the rear.... its a dangerous path.

Have you tried changing the settings on your dampers? Setting them too hard would really screw the handling.

 

[kev]

What do you mean?

Waht do you mean a dangerous path - surelly if i buy the two then they will just go staright on and thats that?

Kev

 

[kev]

Actually the handling is.....................

Excellent! The handling is excellent, but i want it better! It rolls to much but thats about it - i was just wondering because of the extra movement on the wheels and also nething to lighten the steering?

Cheers

Kev

 

[Tom]

Re: What do you mean?

Every time I upgrade something I then find something else to do next. You will be always tweaking something.

I'd try playing with your shocks first. If you've got them too hard the car will roll into the corner initially but won't roll back as the weight transfer sorts itself out. Try taking a notch or 2 off each.

 

[Tom]

Re: Actually the handling is.....................

You won't get extra movement in the wheels. Just a change in unsprung weight.

I don't think you can change the steering weight as you now have more tyre in contact with the ground and hence more friction. The HGT comes with 15" not 17".

 

[kev]

Ok cheers mate

Ok ty mate. Taking into consideration what you have said i think my shocks are ok - i have set them on 1 and 1/8 of 1.5 turns front - 1 1/4 of two turns rear! is this ok??

+ what did you mean when you said dangerous?? Will the roll bars not make an instant omprovement?

Kev

 

[Tom]

Re: Ok cheers mate

No idea whats the right setting for a bravo, its a case of make adjustments and drive it. Try setting them all to minimum and then max and see what happens.

The rollbars might make a difference. If I were you I'd try driving a car with them on before spending. If you make the rollbars tooooo stiff you will make the handling worse. The Civic type R has VERY stiff rear roll bar and it always lifts a rear wheel in hard conering. Personally I HATE the type R.. drove one for a few mins and it tried to kill me.

Roll is a factor of height of centre of gravity above the ground and the suspension geometry. The car will always roll. As you increase the roll bar stiffness you will start unloading the inside wheels more and can give understeer. Its a tradeoff. The best way is to lower the car futher.

There is nothing dangerous, you just might be disapointed with the improvements for the amount of cash spent.