Silly suspension question

S

sunnyzx

Member
This may sound like a silly question so please try not to flame me too much.

My AE86 has 14" wheels and low suspension. The ride is very hard. If the car was running 17" alloys would the ride be less harsh ?
I know the car has springs, coilovers etc but wondered if the ride would be more pleasureable for everyday driving if I changed wheel size.

Its a little confusing because my previous Z32 had 18" wheels and was even lower (using springs) but the ride was a lot less harsh.
 
As far as tyres go in relation to ride, the lower profile your tyres the harder the ride. Therefore big wheels with smaller sidewalls would be a harder ride.

Plus an ae86 on 17"s would be :dermal:
 
Im afraid not, it would only get worse with 17" wheels.

Im not sure what a Z32 is (sorry.... Im a noob! :D :dermal: ) but Im pretty sure the AE86 has a live rear axle? These arent known for their great ride quality and so its probably the difference in suspension design between the two cars, combined with various settings (the AE86 Im guessing has harder spring rates than you old car)
 
Colonel K said:
Im afraid not, it would only get worse with 17" wheels.

Im not sure what a Z32 is (sorry.... Im a noob! :D :dermal: ) but Im pretty sure the AE86 has a live rear axle? These arent known for their great ride quality and so its probably the difference in suspension design between the two cars, combined with various settings (the AE86 Im guessing has harder spring rates than you old car)
Click to expand...

A Z32 is a 300zx or fairlady Z (depends where you come from) i think?

I found that springs made little difference on how hard my ride was in my last car (EK4) but the dampers made all the difference
 
Im sorry for even suggesting 17" alloys on a AE86.
I desperately want the AE86 to ride a little better but also want to keep my fillings.

I dont think its possible without changing the springs or is it ?
 
usually find the dampers make for a hard ride, if they are adjustable turn the damping down a bit, coz you have coilovers they are not designed for comfort, like the dampers on you Z32 were.
 
Actually, you are all slightly misinformed/talking shite - except for the fact that 17's are very :dermal: on a Corolla, which is of course purely factual.

A 17" wheel with say a 205/40 tyre has a much bigger diameter than a 14" wheel with a 185/60. The bigger diameter wheel will in fact roll much smoother over certain bumps in the road and will generally produce a smoother ride than a 13 or 14" wheel that will get "trapped" in bumps to a certain degree.

Though it is true that there is much less "suspension" elasticity in the low profile tyre, you will be surprised how much wheel diameter affects smoothness.
 
So if I put 17" wheels on my car I will look :dermal: but I may be able to keep the fillings in my teeth. But the biggest bonus is I can keep the AE86
So its between looking :dermal: and having a hatchi roku..tough call

Does anybody know if Subaru wheels will fit a AE86 ? I have access to a impreza with 17" alloys. I may just try and see if it works.
 
Subaru are 5x100 ET45ish :dermal: AE86 are 114.3 and lowoffset to be right.

You already have some seriously pimp rims space em out and get used to it.

Oh if you put 17's on a 86 i will personaly hunt you down :mad:

The ride will only get worse with 17's as the profile size will drop. Get some standard shocks and forget drifting if you want comfort.
 
all the jokes aside but 17s on a AE86 makes me wanna be sick those cars are best suited to small diameter wheels are they not 13-15" wheels no? thought thats the way were set up but hey im probally wrong.
 
Could you not get lower spring rates for the coilovers and turn the damping down a little? I do understand though, i wouldn't drive my S13 everyday as it is too extreme, it is a drift/track car thats road legal, not a daily driver.
 
You'll just get used to it with time... Then normal cars will feel wierd!

Paz
 
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