macbuddy
01-05-2010, 06:00 AM
Okay, I've had my "new" set of wheels/tires on for about 2 weeks now so I feel comfortable in reporting that this combo does seem to work...well, at least on my GD3.
The Question
About 2.5 weeks ago, I found a nice set of 15X7 41 offset Enkei RPF1s (http://www.buywheelstoday.com/images_products/L_2934.jpg) shod with 215/45R15 Toyo T1Rs (http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/wm.php/images/toyotyre3.jpg) on Craigslist. I knew that VillageIdiot was running the exact same rims, so I immediately sent him a PM asking if he thought this combo might work on my GD3. The difference being that mine is lowered, 1.5" lower in front, and 1" lower in back, his is running OEM. He immediately replied, "Yes it should work, but let me go out to the car and take some more measurements!" Only minutes later, he came back with this conclusion:
...They are .46" wider than 205s and there is plenty of room for that and they should be 22.6" in diameter which is 1.4" smaller than my tires and I have 2.7" of clearance between the top of my tires and the fender well and your car is dropped 1.5" so jump on it ....
Wow, he measured everything for me! He even crawled under the car and checked the clearance with the steering lock to lock. Geez, that was much more work than I would have done... for anyone! That truly made my day!
So, thanks to VillageIdiot, I went ahead and contacted the seller. I drove 1.5 hours north to Vallejo to check them out...they were flawless! Unfortunately, the purchase did not include lugs/locks, nor the required hub centric rings (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GOR-73-5615/?image=large). Luckily I was able to use the "rings" off of my 14" Kosei AutoX rims, as those HC rings were of the correct size. Next, I went out to locate a set of Gorilla lugs/locks. That was easy, America's Tires had them in stock.
The Fitment
After mounting them, I found that they are definitely more flush fitting than the OEM alloys. Because of that, I drove very cautiously the first time out. On subsequent runs, I pushed progressively harder. Finally, I was comfortable in taking the long 7 hour drive down to San Diego. Part of that drive included 5 people, plus luggage (750+ lbs), and luckily, I experienced no problems. Only once did I rub slightly. On that particular occasion, I was entering a fairly steep driveway, with the steering at nearly full lock.
The Handling
As for noticeable differences, the 215/45R15 Toyo T1R tires do feel like they are "hugging" the road a bit more than my 195/50R15 Yokohama S. Drives. This however may likely be due to the wider tires. Then again, the 8 lbs per corner, lighter wheel/tires combo have got to be contributing to this sensation. What ever the reason, it is a really nice experience!
The Ride
As for ride, I must say that I do detect an ever-so-slightly "softer" ride than before. To substantiate my perhaps "biased" opinion, I did an unsuspecting, unannounced "blind" test during my 14 hour round trip. I found that my extremely accurate "Ride Comfort Gauge" recorded nearly 50% less complaints than normal! I was absolutely shocked at the results! I am guessing that either my wife has finally gotten used to the "jarring" Megan Coilovers, or that the ride has gotten substantially better. I am gonna say that the ride must have gotten substantially better, because her "Butt-Dyno" is extremely sensitive! :)
The Perks
Besides the "looks" of the more flush fitment, the improved "road hugging" feel, and the ever-so-slightly "smoother" ride, I was delighted to find that I was yet able to achieve 39.75 mpg (@ 75-80 mph)! Only once before, was I able to hit 39.80 mpg (@ 65-75 mph). I kind of suspected an increase in gas mileage as I calculated 35.64 mpg on the previous tank (which included 2 days of San Diego city driving).
Conclusion
VillageIdiot was right! I have to agree that handling, ride and performance is improved with lighter weight shoes installed!
Happy Me! :)
-macbuddy-
Note: I predict that I'll need to replace those expensive Toyos in about 3-4 months. At that time, I plan on remounting my set of 195/50R15 Yokohama S. Drives instead. In doing so, I anticipate more body clearance, better mpg, a smoother, quieter ride, comparable acceleration, and continued great road holding characteristics.
The Question
About 2.5 weeks ago, I found a nice set of 15X7 41 offset Enkei RPF1s (http://www.buywheelstoday.com/images_products/L_2934.jpg) shod with 215/45R15 Toyo T1Rs (http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/wm.php/images/toyotyre3.jpg) on Craigslist. I knew that VillageIdiot was running the exact same rims, so I immediately sent him a PM asking if he thought this combo might work on my GD3. The difference being that mine is lowered, 1.5" lower in front, and 1" lower in back, his is running OEM. He immediately replied, "Yes it should work, but let me go out to the car and take some more measurements!" Only minutes later, he came back with this conclusion:
...They are .46" wider than 205s and there is plenty of room for that and they should be 22.6" in diameter which is 1.4" smaller than my tires and I have 2.7" of clearance between the top of my tires and the fender well and your car is dropped 1.5" so jump on it ....
Wow, he measured everything for me! He even crawled under the car and checked the clearance with the steering lock to lock. Geez, that was much more work than I would have done... for anyone! That truly made my day!
So, thanks to VillageIdiot, I went ahead and contacted the seller. I drove 1.5 hours north to Vallejo to check them out...they were flawless! Unfortunately, the purchase did not include lugs/locks, nor the required hub centric rings (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GOR-73-5615/?image=large). Luckily I was able to use the "rings" off of my 14" Kosei AutoX rims, as those HC rings were of the correct size. Next, I went out to locate a set of Gorilla lugs/locks. That was easy, America's Tires had them in stock.
The Fitment
After mounting them, I found that they are definitely more flush fitting than the OEM alloys. Because of that, I drove very cautiously the first time out. On subsequent runs, I pushed progressively harder. Finally, I was comfortable in taking the long 7 hour drive down to San Diego. Part of that drive included 5 people, plus luggage (750+ lbs), and luckily, I experienced no problems. Only once did I rub slightly. On that particular occasion, I was entering a fairly steep driveway, with the steering at nearly full lock.
The Handling
As for noticeable differences, the 215/45R15 Toyo T1R tires do feel like they are "hugging" the road a bit more than my 195/50R15 Yokohama S. Drives. This however may likely be due to the wider tires. Then again, the 8 lbs per corner, lighter wheel/tires combo have got to be contributing to this sensation. What ever the reason, it is a really nice experience!
The Ride
As for ride, I must say that I do detect an ever-so-slightly "softer" ride than before. To substantiate my perhaps "biased" opinion, I did an unsuspecting, unannounced "blind" test during my 14 hour round trip. I found that my extremely accurate "Ride Comfort Gauge" recorded nearly 50% less complaints than normal! I was absolutely shocked at the results! I am guessing that either my wife has finally gotten used to the "jarring" Megan Coilovers, or that the ride has gotten substantially better. I am gonna say that the ride must have gotten substantially better, because her "Butt-Dyno" is extremely sensitive! :)
The Perks
Besides the "looks" of the more flush fitment, the improved "road hugging" feel, and the ever-so-slightly "smoother" ride, I was delighted to find that I was yet able to achieve 39.75 mpg (@ 75-80 mph)! Only once before, was I able to hit 39.80 mpg (@ 65-75 mph). I kind of suspected an increase in gas mileage as I calculated 35.64 mpg on the previous tank (which included 2 days of San Diego city driving).
Conclusion
VillageIdiot was right! I have to agree that handling, ride and performance is improved with lighter weight shoes installed!
Happy Me! :)
-macbuddy-
Note: I predict that I'll need to replace those expensive Toyos in about 3-4 months. At that time, I plan on remounting my set of 195/50R15 Yokohama S. Drives instead. In doing so, I anticipate more body clearance, better mpg, a smoother, quieter ride, comparable acceleration, and continued great road holding characteristics.