merckx racer

Helllllp!
yes..I switched from heavy 18" Axis wheels to 5lb. lighter 17" OZ Allegeritas and if
you recall I wasn't exactly thrilled with the handling in another thread I started.

Some surmised it was the brand new rubber..some hypothesized it was because
I was running a higher profile tire with the 17" wheels and thus exposed the
cheaper Sumitomis I was using now.
But...one last question...I would swear that even though my wheel/tire combo is now
5lbs. lighter per wheel..and I'm running 17" wheels which should spin up quicker...I believe
that my VTEC isn't as strong as it used to be!!!!!
Could the fact that I'm running 60mm offset have any bearing on this...the fact that my front
tires are wider than my rears cause of larger offset?
Could it be higher profile from 18" to 17" wheels?
Could it be an alignment issue?

I might actually buy my 18" Axis wheels back from the shop..even though the
OZ wheels(anthracite) are absolute eye candy on my car!
thanks for any feedback unless you trash me hahaha

Manga_Spawn

Not sure why this needed another thread especially since you didn't copy all the details over about the old setup vs the new. I think you are to focused on the wheels and the tire difference is the bigger cause of of the car feels. But I can't remember what tires you had on before and the sizes etc.

merckx racer

new setup...OZs 17x7.5f and 17x8.5r both 60mm offset with sumi 17" 225/45/17f and sumi 17" 255/40/17r
old setup...Axis 18x7F and 18x8.5r 48offsetf 60offset rear with sumi 225/35/18f and sumi 255/30/18 rear

RedCelica

alignment specs before and after plz

225/45/17 is actually taller than a 225/35/18 by about 3/4" front and the rear difference is about 1"...that could be what you're feeling. You actually have less revolutions per mile than you did before. Did you check tire weights? You might have not saved anything.

Manga_Spawn

Yup just like I thought. Its the tires. Your old setup was shorter than stock. Correct tire sizes for 18's would have been 225/40/18 and 255/35/17. This is why they felt so different. Those are some very tiny sidewalls on the 18's so yeah they were probably a lot stiffer. Further the shorter overall diameter would effect how the car feels accelerating and driving. There is a good chance that your current tires weigh more since there is a good deal more rubber.

And now checking tire rack and no Sumitomo tires come in 225/35/18 or 255/30/18. You sure those numbers are right?

s2000Junky

Have you checked the vtec fluid reservoir to make sure not empty?

merckx racer

wow..I didn't know there was even vtec fluid much less a vtec reservoir...
I'll find that and check that.

My old rears on the 18's might have been 35 profile not 30...
I love the look and the feel of the OZ's and the car seems to roll lighter
and also brakes better much the vtec feels reduced.

If I could adjust the tires maybe?
Or prolly just go back to the Axis wheels ugh!

Manga_Spawn

s2000Junky

Also might want to make sure the muffler bearings haven't come loose creating an obstruction in the exhaust system. That can cause vtec engagement to feel soft as well.

deception9

ROFL hahahhahah