Handling changes
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: New York
Handling changes
Ok, ive been talking about it for months, finally getting the 17 inch GS wheels from Steve over at Carson Toytota, I know that they will fit...
what do you guys think will happen to the handling or should I have the wheels balanced, they came of a brand new GS so i figure i can just throw them on right?
what do you guys think will happen to the handling or should I have the wheels balanced, they came of a brand new GS so i figure i can just throw them on right?
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
From: California
AKM,
You do not need to re-balance wheels when changing cars that they are mounted to. Either it is balanced or not. I am quite sure that if Steve is selling them, they are in excellent shape and balanced.
In terms of handling, you are going notice that you do not need to lead into a turn quite as early as with the 15-16" wheels because of the lack of flex by the stiffer sidewalls on a 17" wheel. However, you will lose the numb ride quality of the SC. You will notice potholes and cracks in the road with extreme prejudice.
If you want to make the SC handle better I would suggest Eibach springs, and Supra TT Swaybars.
MW
You do not need to re-balance wheels when changing cars that they are mounted to. Either it is balanced or not. I am quite sure that if Steve is selling them, they are in excellent shape and balanced.
In terms of handling, you are going notice that you do not need to lead into a turn quite as early as with the 15-16" wheels because of the lack of flex by the stiffer sidewalls on a 17" wheel. However, you will lose the numb ride quality of the SC. You will notice potholes and cracks in the road with extreme prejudice.
If you want to make the SC handle better I would suggest Eibach springs, and Supra TT Swaybars.
MW
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: New York
PCMW,
I am more intrerested in the ride quality, should i buy softer shocks to comp. for the bigger wheels? The reason i ask is because 99% is long highway driving, I figured with the larger wheels id have a little better grip on the road for the upcoming winter, i dont have traction control because i have a florida car.
I have ridden in LexLuthors SC, i love the way it handles, but i never got to notice the road noise considering he had no exaust on it at the time! My delima was if i was going to go with new rims might as go with lexus wheels, because the GS ride is quite smooth and quiet. ... do they have diffrent suspension?>
Michael
I am more intrerested in the ride quality, should i buy softer shocks to comp. for the bigger wheels? The reason i ask is because 99% is long highway driving, I figured with the larger wheels id have a little better grip on the road for the upcoming winter, i dont have traction control because i have a florida car.
I have ridden in LexLuthors SC, i love the way it handles, but i never got to notice the road noise considering he had no exaust on it at the time! My delima was if i was going to go with new rims might as go with lexus wheels, because the GS ride is quite smooth and quiet. ... do they have diffrent suspension?>
Michael
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
From: California
AKMPRES,
First, there are no softer shocks for an SC.
Second, doesn't your NSX have 17's on it.... I think you would know how it feels. Ride quality comes from spring and shocks. The louder noise and feel for the small cracks in the road are defined by tire sidewall ratios. You can have 17's on a 4x4 and never feel a thing. The fact that the SC comes with smaller wheels and you are going to larger wheels while keeping the overall diam the same mean the tire sidewall is the loss. Smaller sidewall means more feel, and noise.
Lastly, yes the GS definitely has a different suspension. Almost all Lexus models have differences between each other. IS for sport. GS for sport-luxury...etc...
My opinion is give it a whirl and see if it bugs you. I would think you would enjoy the difference and sporty feel hence the NSX.
MW
First, there are no softer shocks for an SC.
Second, doesn't your NSX have 17's on it.... I think you would know how it feels. Ride quality comes from spring and shocks. The louder noise and feel for the small cracks in the road are defined by tire sidewall ratios. You can have 17's on a 4x4 and never feel a thing. The fact that the SC comes with smaller wheels and you are going to larger wheels while keeping the overall diam the same mean the tire sidewall is the loss. Smaller sidewall means more feel, and noise.
Lastly, yes the GS definitely has a different suspension. Almost all Lexus models have differences between each other. IS for sport. GS for sport-luxury...etc...
My opinion is give it a whirl and see if it bugs you. I would think you would enjoy the difference and sporty feel hence the NSX.
MW
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: New York
ok
PCMW,
the ride in the acura is far more stiffer than the SC, i just thought on my acura the suspension was just tighter or something...
as much as i love the acura, i perfer the lexus on longer drives because of the ride quality, i use the acura to pick up women..and make the corvette drivers green with envy!
and yes i know that a Z06 is a faster car, but the chicks don't.
and i remember our previous chat, over the december holidays ill be in hong kong...you know what that means! Skyline time! ill have to get used to that right hand drive.
the ride in the acura is far more stiffer than the SC, i just thought on my acura the suspension was just tighter or something...
as much as i love the acura, i perfer the lexus on longer drives because of the ride quality, i use the acura to pick up women..and make the corvette drivers green with envy!
and yes i know that a Z06 is a faster car, but the chicks don't.
and i remember our previous chat, over the december holidays ill be in hong kong...you know what that means! Skyline time! ill have to get used to that right hand drive.
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
From: California
AKMPRES,
With that all said, leave the stock wheels on the Lexus. If you want a soft cruiser, then you got it. Don't change a thing.
NSX ride is soft when you consider sports cars of that caliber. I used to change out the rear bushings in client's NSX's to NON-Compliance bushings. Rubber=soft, poly=hard, non compliance METAL bushes are STIFF AS HELL.
MW
With that all said, leave the stock wheels on the Lexus. If you want a soft cruiser, then you got it. Don't change a thing.
NSX ride is soft when you consider sports cars of that caliber. I used to change out the rear bushings in client's NSX's to NON-Compliance bushings. Rubber=soft, poly=hard, non compliance METAL bushes are STIFF AS HELL.
MW
Last edited by pcmw; Nov 24, 2002 at 11:57 PM.
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