Air Filters/Wheels

[derek.elliott]

Just wondering if you can easily fit a K&N cone filter from my old NA
model to the NB model. The NB air filter region looks a little more
complex than the older one... or maybe there is a better alternative
(within a limited budget).

Also the NB is only a 1.6ltr and came with 14 inch wheels which just
don't look quite right... would there be any drama if I upgraded the
wheel size to 16 inch with say 205/45 tyres?

Any comments would be welcome... Ta Derek.

[Ian Chapman]

Derek

With wheels the three important areas are:

don't alter your outside diameter (and therefore circumference) too
much as this will alter your gearing and therefore accuracy of your
speedo readings. Decreasing dia (slightly lower gearing) will improve
acceleration, increasing dia will dull acceleration due to slightly
higher gearing. Obviously this will alter ride height very slightly.
Tyre outlets have a chart that will tell you the difference in
circumference/diameter from say a 185-50-14 to a 195-40-16

the second thing to consider is that you don't increase width too much
- tyre suppliers can advise on this - I would be careful going much more
than about 10mm extra width (say 185 to 195) Don't increase your rim
width too much for same reason. Too much width has the same effect as
below

The really important thing when changing wheels is 'offset' - the
distance from the wheel inner face (that bolts against the hub) to the
edge of the rim. If you go increasing or decreasing this too much you
will alter the distance from the centre of the tyre to all of the
suspension and steering pivots. Changing this too much will alter your
handling, steering feel and accuracy and can put loads on suspension,
steering, hubs, wheel bearings that weren't designed for. There was
discussion here a while ago (maybe 12 months) about wheel spacers to
increase track and therefore handling - this I think went into offset
discussions.

My opinion is that a Starlet with 17" wheels and 215 tyres probably
'grips' better than standard but I would think it 'handles' and 'steers'
worse!

My advise is to go to a good tyre place that understands the effects of
changing wheels and tyres and can give you the proper advise.

Ian

[SLYDIT]

The air filter will require a new adapter section as
the air flow meters are different between 1.6 and 1.8
cars. If your going to use a cone filter then make
sure you make up a good cold air box or youll actually
loose power!!. The 1.8 cars are blessed in that the
Meter is very small so you can move your filter about
to get good cold air without affecting the AFM
operation.
Ive got 16x7" wheels with 205/45 tyres,(factory size
on the 2001 cars) and the cars behaviour has changed.
The ride is rougher and the turn in a little duller
due to the different offset,but nothiing a change in
wheel alignment wont fix. But grip is WAY up and so is
looks.the speedo is slighty different as it reads
127km versus 133km measured against cars with 14"
wheels and 185 tyres, but it is known that the factory
speedo reads fast so my car is probably spot on
accurate.
I wouldnt go to a 17" on an MX as they will be just
too heavy and will make your car a not very nice place
to be.Wheel weight is VERY VERY important on an
mx.heavy wheels will make your car drive like a
truck.The factory wheel weight is around 5kg and a 17"
wheel is more like 9-10kg!!!
The best sizes to go for in a bigger wheel would be
firstly a 15x7" with 205/50 then a LIGHT WEIGHT 16x7 wheel with 205/45.
Check out my website below for pics.