Hi:

As mentioned earlier, I just purchased a yellow MY02. I did a lot of research of the message archive here, and this is what I think I'll do right off the bat. Can you help answer some questions:

1. X-brace - a must?

2. 17" wheel - what size for track/street combo? I don't want it to understeer like the MY03 either, but not too much oversteer. 17x8, 17x9 is what I think I have read. Is that right?

3. 17" tires - I trust S03s. What size should I get?

4. Carbon Fiber Hood - where is the best source? Should I get OEM? Any install shop in SF Bay Area?

BTW, seems like Tire.com has much more wheel selection than TireRack? Are there any other online store for wheel/tires? Would be nice if I get get a whole wheel/tire package.

Thanks in advance.

Paul

 

I don't see this as a must. I'm sure it does stiffen up the chassis, but this is not the mod that is going to make you "competition ready". Some people like it, IMO it is a personal choice, the car is plenty stiff already.

[QUOTE]2. 17" wheel - what size for track/street combo?

 

For wheels do not go cheap, save your money and get a higher quality light weight wheel.

Evolution will give you all the help you need.

703.961.9090

 

One more question, is there real benefits is going to 17"?

If I don't care about cosmetics, should I just go with 16" but with better tires?

 

17" rims would have tires with less sidewalls so I guess you could corner a bit better. 16" is probably lighter. Stock S02's are pretty much as good as it gets for a street tire.

 

17" rims will give the following effects:
- Smaller tire sidewalls, which will be typically be stiffer, so more direct turn in
- Smaller/stiffer tire sidewalls will effectively increase the tire's spring rate which effectively makes the suspension stiffer and all that that implies
- More space to fit in big brakes or other suspension mods
- Will decrease acceleration and braking performance because typically heavier than smaller wheel. Will still decrease performance relative to equal weight smaller wheels because the weight is farther away from center of rotation.
- Provide more clearance to the suspension to allow for wider rims and tires

The problem is that SO2's, SO3's or pick your brand equivalent are already the highest performance summer street tires you can get. If you want more performance, the only way is to get wider tires or use competition tires, which wear too fast for everyday street use. Most of the standard sized wheels (16" or 17") max out at around 235/265 before you have to start modifying body panels. Only custom wheels (typically 18") are going to get those ultra wide tires (which are more available in 18" sizes).

 

If you don't care about cosmetics, I would just keep the stock 16" wheels and tires on the car. Or maybe get a set of Spoon 16" wheels, which IMO look great, and they are ultra light.

 

lower the car before getting bigger wheels, doing the opposite will look like you're going off-roading.

 

It's more like, how much are you willing to spend on a set of wheels??
Do you want lightweight like Volks??
Another benefit I see for getting 17's are that most big brake kits require a 17'' wheel or bigger.