haynesaj

Am getting the PPP fitted to my MY04 STI8. Looks like Prodrive are recommending 18' wheels are tires to benefit from the increased torque.

Can anyone who has the STI PPP comment on the handling with either 17's or 18's. Can't really afford 18's at the moment...

Thanks in advance

GarethE

iTrader: (1)

I'm not sure that 18's are a necessity, although recommended, but I would definately suggest fitting the Prodrive spring kit.

I've had PPP on my 03STi for nearly a year, and have just had 18's supplied (although not yet fitted), but that was because I've never liked the standard gold wheels.

I'm sure others will be able to offer a more subjective answer on 17's v 18's

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

I would say That they are recommended will really improve your cars handling as said they are 'recommended' and but not 'Vital'

For instance if you Had 18" wheels and PHP(Spring kit) your times around a Track maybe the same and having just PPP on a Std wheels.

IMHO

Tony

haynesaj

Thanks for that, I'm indeed having the springs fitted...before the PPP :-)
I don't like the standard wheels either, but probably wouldn't change them unless the car becomes a bit of a handful

greasemonkey

Lol, no you're not! If you're going to give them a number, MY04 STi Type UK's are STi10's, not "8"'s. Better not to use these silly numbers at all, as, in reality they mean f*ck all, and too many people misinterpret them anyway. Just call it an MY04 STi Type UK and everyone will know what you're on about!

Car handles more than fine on 17's, possibly even better than it would on larger wheels. As for the claim that you'd need 18's to handle the increased torque, well, it's a good sales pitch, but little basis in fact. Don't worry about it.

haynesaj

I remember EVO mag stating that the PPP'd STI was the uncomfortable side of snappy and that Prodrive had told them that fitting 18's would improve things.

GarethE. aside from the looks I guess you were happy with the PPP on 17's then?

haynesaj

Pardon me for not using the accepted terminology...

MattW

Wife asked same question, I repled that it defo does

GarethE

iTrader: (1)

I've done 32,000 miles in mine on 17's, and no problem with the handling, just can't comment on the situation with 18s. The spring kit was fitted more or less as soon as it was available and made a vast difference.

Edcase

bigger wheels generally mean more lateral grip, but worse ride and less progression.

smaller wheels are less harsh and more progressive. I know people who fit 16's to go on track. Personally (and through many k's of track and fast b-road use) 17inch is optimal for a newage scoob.

Edcase

by progression I mean with regards to the break away of traction. I find 17's much more useable as you can set the car up very precisely on entry and during corners, whereas 18 has slightly more grip but less feedback and adjustability.

MARK MORRIS

ive got an 02 sti ppp on 17's, not that keen on the looks since moving house cant afford the 18 or 19's
previously had a p1 , big improvement going from 17's to 18's on that, or it could have been more down to going from p zeros to f1's
mark

Edcase

Mark, likely the latter

Bigger wheels are generally a vanity thing. Look at the difference in reviews of the BMW M3 for 18in wheels compared with 19in.

Prodrive suspension, 17in wheels, a front strut brace and a rear antiroll bar/drop link upgrade is all you need.

haynesaj

Thanks Edcase, what do you recommend for the rear antiroll bar?
(the Prodrive springs and strut brace are already waiting to go on)

Edcase

Whiteline adjustable, 22mm, on the middle 'sport' setting

And get the powerflex alloy drop links (about £60) as the standard plastic ones flex like nobodys business.

wr1tvr

Evo fiited the 18's to their long termer and were fairly chuffed with the results:- http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/fastfle...y.php?id=38952
They did reckon that most of the improvement was down to the Pirelli P-Zeros rather than the 18" rims though.

r32

I ran mine on the 17" for a while after PPP, the Bridgestone tyres fitted as standard are not very good, they tramline badly and I didnt feel the grip was anything to shout about. When I changed to 18" I think the biggest improvement was from the Tyres, I had Goodyear F1's fitted and they are unreal, particularly good in thew, the levels of grip are amazing.
Not too sure about the Prodrive springs, I was going that way but have held off as I have seen a few posts where they were not liked. Mine handles fine and I wouldnt want to make the handling worse, they claim it stops the bounce? But thats dampers not springs, so if you can get the 18" with some decent tyres on and you will see a difference.
Cheers Enjoy the PPP.
STEVE...................

rb5 286

iTrader: (2)

its a good excuse to use on the wife/girlfreind if u wanted them

Edcase

Steve, trust me the Prodrive springs make a world of difference, although I would seriously recommend the front struct brace and rear ARB to complement it.

You will not know yourself, and will find you can carry almost surreal amounts of speed through a corner with no drama and masses of feedback.

The DTM-style bounce on the standard car is due to too-stiff springs that are also too tall. You only need to compare the standard springs with the Prodrive springs to see the difference. The standard dampers are incredibly effective units, and don't get enough praise. Its the spring size / rate that is the problem.

WRX_BLUES

I had standard 17s on mine for about a month with the PPP and PHP. I did find that traction wasn't as good, especially in the wet, with all the extra power. After changing to 18 PFF7s the car felt a little bit more grounded and more grippy. The ride felt more solid too, hence slightly harsher ride.

Edcase

Yeah much of the ride problems are because you have to use a lower tyre sidewall profile on the 18's. Again, great for lateral grip, but not so good for ride / feedback etc.

This isn't helped by the fact that 18in wheels are heavier. A couple kilos on the wheels amounts to much more on the chassis due to it being on the end of a spring.

It basically means the suspension will not be able to work as fast or accurately as it would with lighter wheels, and so you get 'crashing' etc. over bumps.

Boyakasha

iTrader: (2)

I thought the PFF7 were lighter than the Standard 17s?

Edcase

Yeah sorry, should have said 'most'

The standard WRX and STi 17's are bloody heavy (nearly 10kg IIRC)

My personal recommendation is moving to a super lightweight 17in wheel like the Team Dynamic Pro Race

haynesaj

Sounds like either F1's or PZero's on 17's could suffice then....

GarethE

iTrader: (1)

Just another pointer - I changed the standard Bridgestones for F1's and, as with the springs, the difference was amazing.

To sum up, AFAIAC if you like the standard wheels, or can't afford 18's, stick a set of Goodyear F1's on ASAP, and get the Prodrive springs fitted (which you are), that should compensate quite nicely.

The other options and opinions offered above all sound good, just can't comment from personal experience, and as there is a three week wait for F1's at the moment, it'll be a while before the P-FF7 18s are fitted to my car

Phil Harrison

I agree with the general run of advice..... On my '02 STi/PPP I switched from 17s when the OEM Bridgestones wore out, and put F1s on the 18s. The improvement in low speed handling is the most marked benefit, but how much that's due to rubber and how much to rims isn't clear. My 18s are lighter than the 17s, and there is a slight, but noticeable, improvement in urge when I floor it in a low gear. Altogether,
1) I'm very happy,
2) I suspect that the rubber may be the most important factor, and
3) I haven't tried the other suspension mods mentioned.

Phil

haynesaj

Are these Goodyear F1 GSD3's....don't know their range very well
(appreciate all the advice guys!)

GarethE

iTrader: (1)

Thems the ones ....just try finding some

p1doc

i have the prodrive springs,front strut brace,prodrive geometry and avon zz3 tyres-would 18" wheels make any real difference or would it be better to get uprated drop links and arear arb first?
martin

c7blue

sorry, bit thick and new to this. what in the name of **** is a ppp???