DeTomaso Mailing List: January 2001, Message #211

When I was analyzing my new wheel and tire combination I carefully selected
wheels and tires that should have only raised the front of my car 4/10" and
lowed the back of the car .5".  When you go from a 15" wheel with 225/50s on
the front and 305/50s on the back to big wheels it is not possible to keep
the same tire diameter.    After I put the new wheels and tires on the car I
found that the car is now higher in front and back than I expected by about
5'.   At first I thought that the suspension had not settled as the car had
been off the wheels for a couple of days.   It usually takes some driving
around for everything to get set back to the correct ride height.

After driving around some yesterday and today I found to my amazement that
the car is at the same height.   I'm beginning to think that the incorrect
wheel back space (the wheels stuck out way too far) that I had on my old
wheels changed the leverage that the A arm had on the springs and caused the
springs to compress more to hold the weight of the car.    This lowered the
car about .5".   What does the forum think about this concept?   I also
expect the lack of side wall flex on the new tires also has some small
impact.  As the ride height has changed it looks like I'll to need to get
the alignment redone again.  Darn!

For those of you that might be undecided about going from 15" wheels to 16"
or 17" wheels, find a car with big wheels and go for a test drive (or ride).
You will be amazed at what the big wheel and tire combination does for the
ride and handling.   The car drives like it is on rails.   And now that I'm
running Z rated tires I took the car all the way to 80 MPH today.  It felt
great and I felt safe.   80 MPH is the unofficial speed for the Atlanta I285
loop!

Mike

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