Tire Size Suggestions

[Elanlover]

Front drive is always faster than rear drive, the only issue is handling (more specifically, cornering), which Lotus felt they could take care of.

Mark Hughes writes in his book about this very thing. Which Kimberly is quoted saying. Lotus's research said front wheel drive was faster - they felt (and accomplished) that they could resolve the majority of handling issues common to FWD cars. Plenty more in that book with lots of quotes from lortys engineers and kimberly (who wrote the forward).

BACK ON TRACK..............


Ekapol confirms that 225's were heavier on steer in and the 205's are much better in corners. They's be faster too as LGM pointed out and les unsprung weight to boot.

205's it is.

[tweetdriver63]

This has been one of the most interesting threads I've seen in a while. This is why I come here. Great help from other members, and some really interesting and educational topics.

[L.G.]

Probably writing the obvious but that's what is being talked anyway so,

Wider tires should bring steering issues with them, that's why many companys use narrower tires in front and wider in the back on their fast cars. (BMW and Porsche are two examples) Not that this is good for a FWD vehicle on road use.

Use of wider tires result in worse acceleration and worse fuel economy. Their upshots are better handling and better braking. They should last longer than narrower ones as well.

I was mistaken on the Autocar article by the way, I think I've read what I said somewhere else... Forgetting things in my age...

On the topic of FWD (basicly off topic ) I know Lotus made a great FWD car but, I do believe they had cost issues. If you look at the new Lotuses Elise, Exige, or the newer ones Eagle etc. all are RWD. And it's not like they don't have a FWD drivetrain in hand. The Toyota engines they use in nearly all of the cars come from the Celica which is FWD.

That said there is an important quotation I want to make. If you watched "Lotus Elise: The Inside Story" somewhere at the begining of it Tony Shute (project manager) says a RWD vehicle is a better choice for marketing purposes. I think this means FWD isn't bad but it didn't sell; RWD is already proven and that's what people want.

Just love your cars.

L.G.

Edited, grammar check

[bratboy_y2k]

exactly, love thy cars. but dont get bowled over by crao either. a 205 in 17 would be great. as for less unsprung weight... i found 17s that are 3 pounds lighter than the stock ones. having said that, im thinking if people wanted to lose some undprung weight then mabye we should look at a group buy on forged wheels. i know somebody is looking to do that with a company in taiwan but i suspect it could be done cheaper in north america or europe. just a feeling i have. its at least worth a look. apparently mugen have wheels for the rsx that wegh 12 pounds each and are very strong. now THAT would be nice!