[Mk2] [NA] Best way to improve handling and predictability?

[BALDYMONSTER]

Car will be getting 30mm progressive rate lowering springs and front and rear arb bushes shortly.

Along with 255/40/17 rear tyres.

Any other reasonably priced suggestions?

[synXero]

By handling do you mean lateral grip?

If so... Assuming your tyres are good quality in terms of age and spec, coilover suspension or some replacement struts if yours are anything like original and you're sticking with spring and strut.

For predictability and catchability... An FMR layout car!!

[Race Idiot]

If you want a bit less snappyness going from grip to slip then I suggest smaller wheels with more sidewall. 255 width tyres are overkill anyway on an na, better off the the std wheels or some nice lightweight 15s or 16s

[BALDYMONSTER]

I presume rolling the rear arches is a must when fitting 255/40/17's?

[Race Idiot]

Depends on the wheel offset/width and if the car is lowered

[BALDYMONSTER]

Not lowered.

Not sure off offset.

From what I can see I reckon they will fit but the arches will need rolled when it's lowered for sure.

[Draven]

Is the offset not stamped into the wheel?

[BALDYMONSTER]

Probably on the inside somewhere but I can't see anything as they are on the car right now.

[BALDYMONSTER]

The wheels are 5ZR's, I'll look online.

[Odin_S]

You have just got very good advice on the best for handling and predictability in getting 16s.

Seems though you just ignored or didn't acknowledge it...
If you are staying with 17s getting as close to oem would be more advisable. 255 is just daft

[Odin_S]

You have just got very good advice on the best for handling and predictability in getting 16s.

Seems though you just ignored or didn't acknowledge it...
If you are staying with 17s getting as close to oem would be more advisable. 255 is just daft

[thomp1983]

what are you trying to achieve? there are very few cars on here require a 255 unless your planning serious hard launches with a big power car. for most a 245/225 or 235/215 or 235/205 setup suffices and handles well enough. You'd gain far more handling and predictability buying some midrange tyres and investing the couple of hundred saved in some driver training than a set of wider tyres will ever give you

[BALDYMONSTER]

Didn't ignore it, I want to run 17's with 255's.

I have always run big rubber on all my modded cars. Yes they tramline, yes it can be a hassle to get it just right etc but it would be somewhat boring if we all did the same things with our MR2's or whatever cars we own and mod.

255's on rolled arches and spaces right out on a lowered MR2 looks brilliant from the rear. Awesome grip as well.

I know the pros and cons guys, I'm bald, not stupid.

[BALDYMONSTER]

"Driver training"?

Not presumptuous or condescending at all.

xxxx sake. I didn't realise I had to pass such a vigorous vetting process for each and any question I might post up based on personal preference! Lol.

[thomp1983]

not much presumptuous about it, if you've paid for training then you'll understand why ive said it, if you feel your too good a driver for any training to help improve driving quickly then that's your lookout.

as bobhatton puts it decide what your trying to build then look for the best components to meet that goal just buying all the biggest and best components doesn't make a car that will definitely meet your needs, nearly all mr2 builds are a compromise somewhere. the majority of people on here just want to help others build the best cars for them and good value too

[BALDYMONSTER]

[thomp1983]

but yes wide tyres do look good but nowadays I begrudge paying the amount it costs for decent normal sized rubber let alone big stuff

[BALDYMONSTER]

but yes wide tyres do look good but nowadays I begrudge paying the amount it costs for decent normal sized rubber let alone big stuff

Fair point well made.

Lucky I get trade prices.

[shinny]

So you want to improve handling and predictability? There is one simple change that will transform your car more than anything else mentioned in this thread... R888s! (Or similar, sticky rubber). You honestly won't believe the difference it will make!

Of course you might not want to do that on a daily driver as you'll spend more on tyres that last fewer miles and wet weather becomes more of an issue too. People incorrectly think wider tyres always means more grip. However, pressure and rubber compound are both substantially more important to grip than whether you've got an extra 10mm width or not, and sticky track tyres are one extreme example there-of.

That said, the best improvement is certainly driver training. You can improve every car you ever drive by improving yourself

[synXero]

A point on stickier tyres, R888 et al...

Doesn't this really just heighten the point of no return? You get way more lateral and accelerative grip, but once you pass it as you inevitably can push to, you're completely fcuked at 70mph sideways instead of what might've been 30mph sideways. For example.