hatch handling

ok, I used to have a 94 integra RS, it was lowered like 3 inches probably(front tire barely fit under fender when i turned them, rear a good inch up in fender) and it had 205/40/17 BFG euro TA up fron and road huggers in rear, and a front strut bar and f/r sway bars. it handled so good, I drove very fast around some SHARP corners and never even made my tires squeal a bit) now I got a 94 civic hatch,m it is lowered about the same I think, maybe a bit less, but no sways or strut bars.

I am rolling on 205/40/17's just like last time, thew tires are federal 595, look kinda like the T1-S, and I like being able to corner, but now it doesn't handle anything like my integra, I mean it still handles good, but when I put f/r sway bars, f/r upper strut bars, lower rear tie bar will it handle as good you think or better? I think my wheelbase is shorter now, does that usually mean better or worse handling?

Thanks,

Matt

I think my wheelbase is shorter now, does that usually mean better or worse handling?

Yes & No

You will have better handling @ slower speeds with a shorter wheel base, longer wheel base is better for high speeds

I mean it still handles good, but when I put f/r sway bars, f/r upper strut bars, lower rear tie bar will it handle as good you think or better

Yes it will handle better

13", 14", or 15" rims would give you better performance than those heavy 17's

you mean perfromance as in acceleration right? not handling. I thought that low pro sidewalls were much better for handing.

you mean perfromance as in acceleration right? not handling. I thought that low pro sidewalls were much better for handing.

Both performance & handling. Lower profile tires are better for handling - who said you cant run a low profile tire on a 13" or 14" rim?????????? - there is more rotational mass with larger wheels, effecting acceleration, braking, cornering.

Bigger rims and smaller sidewalls doesn't always mean better handling. Since I'm an avid autocrosser you have trade offs. 17s are by far heavier than 15s, but you can create the same sidewalls stiffness by increasing tire pressure.

I went from 17s to 16s and now running 15s and I've gotten faster every year not only due to driving experience, but because I've learned so much more about suspension tuning and tire contact patches.

But just because your tires are squealing doesn't mean your car is handling great just means you are pushing the tires to the limit of their adhesion. That is the difference between a good driver and a novice driver. There's a good squeal and not so good squeal. If I wanted to I could go around the whole town squeal my tires around each corner :)

But heavy wheels and tires usually cause the suspension to work harder OR not work very well. Lightweight wheels and tires help the suspension react quicker to changes in directions and helps in braking too.