18 inchers are in the works for my vibe

[rodzombie]

I got plans for some 18's and a little altitude adjusting on my Vibe. I just asked Santa for some 18" wheels and tires and I got my bros. Dave at Bonified Customs checking all the differant way's to bring my little met. black beauty closer to earth. Here's what I want the first faze to look like. Some performance mod's will be in faze two. And some mild body mods in faze three

[Flip-Side]

I think its a good time to be looking at better handling, and suspension. I know I and everyone else is obsessed with superchargers and turbos, but that speed will only be good in a straight line without this kind of attention. Good luck with it.

[NovaResource]

quote:I know I and everyone else is obsessed with superchargers and turbos, but that speed will only be good in a straight line without this kind of attention.What other kind of racing is there but straight line?If you can turn, you aren't going fast enough.

[Yoda]

Oooh yeah that's what I'll do - I'll start with a base vibe and turn it into a drag racer.... What a brilliant plan Out in the real world (and autocrosses) people have to turn. To each his own, but while you're congratulating yourself on how much noise you can make, I'll be lining up a couple of double-clutch downshifts with my 6 speed while I'm on the brakes, trail right into a corner, and let the engine sing as I exit. That's happy motoring !Balanced performance is far more rewarding than an obsession with straight line speed. If I really wanted a drag racer on a budget, I'd have bought a neon or a PT Cruiser (turbo). Rodzombie - did you get that pic from tirerack - I'm kind of partial to the way the TRD 5-spokes look. I'm also nervous about aftermarket (lug-centered) wheels bacause they eventually led to vibration in my old MR2. You may want to keep an eye on TRD's site - they usually come out with a bushing package that takes the slop right out of your steering and suspension. Even up here in MI with all our crappy roads - the ride wasn't too bad.

[NovaResource]

Oooh yeah that's what I'll do - I'll start with a base vibe and turn it into an autocross racer.... What a brilliant plan Out in the real world it's not safe to autocross on the street but stoplight to stop light drag races happen all the time. Cutting a great light, winding the engine out to redline and making perfect shifts. That's happy motoring !quote:Balanced performance is far more rewarding than an obsession with straight line speed.Spoken like someone who can't keep up.If I really wanted an autocross racer, I'd have bought a Miata.

[rodzombie]

Come on now everyone! All I'm wanting is a cool clean daily driver. My Vibe will never see a race track. It'll get enough abuse on the road. I think all kinds of racing is great though. I get a rush watching any of it. I am concidering a supercharger to boost my bottom end some, but only because I want the car to be able to get out of it's own way. As far as trying to get her to run 9's in the quarter or pull 80 mph in a slalom I think I'd be better off starting with a differant kind of car. From an economic point of view anyways. The mods I got going on my little met. black Hot Wheel are just eyecandy with a little warp cream and a cherry on top. I also understand that underneath it all is still an econo-box hatch back for hauling me, my wife, and kids from point A to point B.

[Yoda]

No problem rodzombie - just a little sarcasm between friends. I generally respect Nova and his contributions to this forum. Turning a front driver into a stop light drag racer seems pretty pointless though. Fact is you'll lose to plenty of bigger fish regularly. Any given accord, camry, alero, grand prix, neon, Subaru, PT, Beetle, etc has the potential to embarass you. You know that drag racing is a bigger ticket than going around a corner too fast, don't you? After selling my Corvette and Kawasaki ninja (had to downsize the garage when we moved), I've come to realize that a front drive street legal econobox will never be a real thrill in a straight line. In real life, a flat handling car that can turn, stop and go without roll, dive or squat can save you a ticket and keep you in control. My real world has onramps, left turns, right turns and offramps, and I regularly have long, engaging conversations with my tires. That's the great part about balanced performance, you don't have to actually have to beat somebody to enjoy it. I'd feel sorry for you if you bought a miata to autocross - small, loud and underpowered - great combo. Also, I may be unable to keep up, as you said, but I won't be hitting the tree on the outside of the curve and I will not be holding up the driver behind me (even in a lowly econo-hatchback). Still, I'm (removed) at that picture...

[Flip-Side]

quote:That's the great part about balanced performance, you don't have to actually have to beat somebody to enjoy it. My point exactly. Well said Yoda.Being that the Vibes cornering pretty much sux, minor changes in sway bars and strut tower bars can enhance handling without sacrificing ride quality. Further changes in springs and struts produce a well balanced machine that is more fun to drive.I don't know about you guys, but straight lines are boring on long trips.

[yank dini]

quote:Oooh yeah that's what I'll do - I'll start with a base vibe and turn it into a drag racer.... What a brilliant plan Out in the real world (and autocrosses) people have to turn. To each his own, but while you're congratulating yourself on how much noise you can make, I'll be lining up a couple of double-clutch downshifts with my 6 speed while I'm on the brakes, trail right into a corner, and let the engine sing as I exit. That's happy motoring !Balanced performance is far more rewarding than an obsession with straight line speed. If I really wanted a drag racer on a budget, I'd have bought a neon or a PT Cruiser (turbo). Rodzombie - did you get that pic from tirerack - I'm kind of partial to the way the TRD 5-spokes look. I'm also nervous about aftermarket (lug-centered) wheels bacause they eventually led to vibration in my old MR2. You may want to keep an eye on TRD's site - they usually come out with a bushing package that takes the slop right out of your steering and suspension. Even up here in MI with all our crappy roads - the ride wasn't too bad. AGREED, Just the other day I was doing about 100 MPH on The Davison Freeway in the rain the road was soaking wet. Some nimrod didn't have his tail lights on and I didn't see him until the very last minute. So I did a nice and tight "swerve" to the left and back to the right to get around him (flawless) If it werent for my 18 inchers and that wonderful NITTO rubber I probably would be dead right now.

[yank dini]

I knew someone would say something about thatSometimes I do get carried away when it comes to "pushing the envelope"