I've posted this issue in the suspension forum a few months ago but all I got was dick answers. The tires themselves are bottoming out on the pinched frame. The shocks still have some travel to go as I'm running Ground Control's extended top hats. The car is NOT dumped at all.

In fact, it's raised as high as I can go considering since the mounting point of the top of the shock piston is raised approximately 2 inches, the droop is also shortened. People said that's impossible, then I replied with: "ok show me a car that can go stock height with these top hats, it's impossible"

Does anyone else have this issue? I'm about to put the stock hats back on and raise the car another 1/2inch or so and sell the hats.

Nothing else bottoms out like the UCA or shock, just the tire. So the middle of the tire shreds, which was a big problem at EXPO8

 

I had the exact same problem under heavy braking and cornering at Expo, and it was because my spring rate was too soft for my ride height. I was running 300ish lb Tein S-techs in the front. Whats your front spring rate?

 

Front:
-Koni Yellows 8041
-Ground Control Anodized Red Extended Upper Top Hats
-Ground Controls 500lb x 2.5inch x 6inch
-Full Race Traction Bar
-Password JDM 3point Strut Tower Bar
-Energy Suspension Swaybar Bushings

Rear:
-Koni Yellows 8040
-Ground Controls 450lb x 2.5inch x 7inch
-MFactory Spherical Bearing Rear Camber Kit
-C Pillar bar
-Rear Upper Tower Bar
-Benen Rear Lower Tie Bar
-Mugen 26mm Rear Sway Bar
-Function7 Rear Control Arms
-Blox Racing Adjustable Endlinks
-Function7 Aluminum Swaybar Endlink Bushings

Alignment Settings:
Front:
Toe: 0deg
Camber: -2.0deg

Rear:
Toe: 0deg
Camber: -1.9deg

 

I assume the 215/45-16 tires are the Falken Azenis RT-615?

Different tires with the same nominal size can vary in actual physical dimensions. For example, the new Kumho Ecsta XS (similar to the Azenis) is reportedly an inch wider than the Azenis, both labeled as 215/45-16.

However, since your issue is with the middle of the tread, it has nothing to do with the tread width.

Have you used this suspension setup with other wheels/tires? The reason I ask is, the 215/45-16 size is only 0.18" larger in calculated diameter than the stock tire size of 195/55-15, which means they only stick out by 0.09" more than stock. So I'm guessing that even the stock wheels and tires would rub with that setup. (Also keep in mind that new tires have about 0.25" more tread depth, and thus stick out more by that amount, than ones that are worn to the point that they should be replaced.)

What I'm saying is, I don't think the problem is because of the tire size (your first post sounds like you already are aware of this)...


Modified by nsxtasy at 5:50 PM 9/19/2008

 

this is what i did to my boys hatch, i took the wheel off got myself a BFH Big Focking Hammer

and smacked that metal up towards the hood it worked he has not had any issues since idid that

 

You're only running 6" springs in the front. That's probably most of your problem. I'd also go up to 600lb springs in the front if your car sees a decent amount of tracktime.

Put some 7" springs up there and you'll be fine. And if you're not lowered that much, the GC tophats are a waste and can even make your shocks too short.

The 6" springs and GC tophats will work if you're lowered quite a bit, but you need more than 500lb springs to keep the tire from rubbing.

 

P.S. edit ... what he ^ said.

1) why the extended tophats?
they seem to ve part of thre cause of your problem

2) 6" front springs may be too short as well, compounding the problem

JMHO Ed

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by robfrmny21 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">this is what i did to my boys hatch, i took the wheel off got myself a BFH Big Focking Hammer

and smacked that metal up towards the hood it worked he has not had any issues since idid that</TD></TR></TABLE>

I took a dremel to the pinch frame, cutting into it about every inch or so. This allowed me to use the BFH from above to hammer them flat.

 

I got the hats because I wanted to go lower than stock and not bottom out the shock. Just some preventative preparation I guess. I've read 2 different stories about konis. That they can take up to 500lbs or 600lbs. Which is it?

 

2 sets of 16's both 215/45/16. One rt615 with lots of tread left and the rt215s are almost done. Doesn't really happen slot to the rt215s

 

Like I said...If you're not lowering too much, the GC tophats are not needed.

If you only 500lb springs and aren't lowering too much, get 8" springs and then you'll be fine. Switch back to the OEM tophats.

OTS Konis will handle up to 600lb springs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> For example, the new Kumho Ecsta XS (similar to the Azenis) is reportedly an inch wider than the Azenis, both labeled as 215/45-16.
</TD></TR></TABLE>


where are the ecsta xs available at? i couldn't find them on tirerack.com

*edit*

ahh, n/m I found them on there - just not in the size i want.....!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Like I said...If you're not lowering too much, the GC tophats are not needed.

If you only 500lb springs and aren't lowering too much, get 8" springs and then you'll be fine. Switch back to the OEM tophats.

OTS Konis will handle up to 600lb springs.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've got 8in 450lb front springs, 7in 550lb rear springs. I'm lowered a fairly decent amount, whats the likelihood of me running into this issue? I had this problem at Expo with my 300ish front Tein springs, but I'm hoping with the 450 ERS springs on the GCs I won't.

 

brain fart, I think the springs may be 7 inches not 6, going to take the hats off soon today anwyays.