The wheels themselves were in great shape. No corrosion, no bends, and only light chips in the paint. One wheel had a curb chip in the face, but a sanding disc knocked it back and it’s barely visible. Overall, these are perfect for the car: the style is just right and the patina fits with the rest of the car: vintage but not abused.We did a quick eyeball check to confirm our guess was correct. They look like they’ll stick out here, but they really don’t. Also keep in mind this car has double a-arm suspension, so the camber gain will bring the top of the tire in before it collides with the fender itself. We also did a lock to lock check and found there was over an inch of clearance to the control arms. We used some blocks of wood to take the weight of the car without damaging the rim.For tires, we went with the Bridgestone RE-71R, the benchmark tire for autocrossers ‘round the world. The RE-71R is one of the best tires for mixed track and street driving, so it’s the ideal choice for the Cappuccino. In this car we’re not at all concerned with road noise or wear, just lots of grip with easy to find limits. The RE-71R should deliver that perfectly.The new Bridgestones are noticeably wider. There’s just no comparison to how much better performing the RE-71Rs will be compared to the old commuter tires. One downside with this package is it is significantly heavier (10-15 lbs) than the original setup. On a car this light, that makes a difference. We noticed the Cappuccino has lost a bit of pep with the heavier wheels and tires. The gains in traction are more than worth the tradeoff.
When you installed the Strut Brace did you do it with the suspension unloaded by jacking up the front? It helps to do that and then adjust the turnbuckle.
I have usually been able to feel the. difference with all my braces.
I set the tension with wheels on the ground. I also live in a salt state and I installed the brace in the fall. Snow season started early and I didn’t really get a chance to drive it before and after. The Cappuccino runs terribly in the cold and it has zero rust protection so once the weather gets cold it gets locked up in the garage until the salt gets rained away.
Two reasons: first the lowering springs on the car are way soft. The fronts aren’t even 100 lbs/inch. It would help, but not all that much. Second, the shocks are pretty worn and need replacing, so it would be even more underdamped than it already is. Third, removing the rear shocks requires knocking off the lower control arm. Not something I want to do more than once if I can avoid it you know?
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When you installed the Strut Brace did you do it with the suspension unloaded by jacking up the front? It helps to do that and then adjust the turnbuckle.
I have usually been able to feel the. difference with all my braces.
Wow, really I always made sure the weight was on the wheels myself and only applied a very light tension.
I set the tension with wheels on the ground. I also live in a salt state and I installed the brace in the fall. Snow season started early and I didn’t really get a chance to drive it before and after. The Cappuccino runs terribly in the cold and it has zero rust protection so once the weather gets cold it gets locked up in the garage until the salt gets rained away.
Why not go to some taller progressive bump stops for the time being?
Two reasons: first the lowering springs on the car are way soft. The fronts aren’t even 100 lbs/inch. It would help, but not all that much. Second, the shocks are pretty worn and need replacing, so it would be even more underdamped than it already is. Third, removing the rear shocks requires knocking off the lower control arm. Not something I want to do more than once if I can avoid it you know?
Whereabouts are you again? WI somewhere? Not too far from my home town. Just passed through recently unless WI is dead wrong in which case nevermind.
I was in Kentucky but I recently moved back to the Philadelphia area.