Upgrade to AP2?
 

I currently have a MY02, and I've been thinking about upgrading to an AP2. I know this topic has been beaten to death millions of time in other forums, but has it been discussed in this forum? We all know that the AP2 has larger engine, better suspension, upgraded chassis, blah blah blah. But from a racing perspective, is it truly worthwhile to upgrade the AP1 to an AP2? I would really like to hear from you guys, especially those who have driven both cars hard.


Discuss.

I haven't tracked with AP1 vs AP2, but I went from 18" Volk GT-C to AP2 wheels and I was very happy with the way the car handled. Also, the AP2 wheels and tires weigh less than the AP1 wheels and tires.

All in all, a good upgrade, the extra rubber helps.

Ummm... I'd hafta dig up specs but I seriously doubt 17" wheels and tires (AP2) weigh less than 16" (AP1). You'd have to be running the heaviest wheels and tires for an AP1 and the lightest for the AP2...

this is OEM S02 vs. OEM RE-050.

And not including the JDM BBS ones.

I can get actual specs later today.

Comparing OEM wheels + tires, you are absolutely right...the ap2 setup is a whopping 0.2lb lighter total.

Interestingly...the common weight given for ap2 front wheels is the same as for the ap1 front (17.6lb)...however common weight given for the ap2 rear wheel is 2lb heavier than for the ap1 (18.6 vs 20.5). That seems odd...you would expect the difference to be uniform.

wheels are a fraction of the weight compared to the weight of tires.

don't forget 16's have thicker sidewalls, which means more rubber, which = more material, which = more weight.

That seems like a reasonable assumption, but here is some conflicting data:

For tire size 205/55-16 vs 205/50-17...these are nearly identical in proportion other than sidewall.

The RE050A in that size for 16" weighs 24lb...the 17" weighs 24lb.

The BFG T/A KD in 16" weighs 22lb...the 17" weighs 24lb.

Seems like it is tire dependent.

FWIW, I have a friend who is nationally competitive (autocross) who drove my car MY00 and a MY06 b2b. His comment was the MY06 seemed kinda mama'ish compared to the MY00. He did not like the way the AP2 motor felt compared to the 9K AP1 motor.

His preference is the AP1.

FYI, both cars were bone stock, MY00 has Hankook RS2s, MY06 had fresh OEM Bridgestones. MY00 had 20k, MY06 had 3k.