Seabiscuit's White 2000 wheel swap

[Dave_Car_Guy]

At the Autocross event at Infineon this weekend, Seabiscuit (aka Leo) got to try on a set of wheels and tires borrowed from SLOroadster (aka Will). I snapped before and after pics of Leo's car while he tried on those Panasports with Hoosier TDs.

[jamesw]

Nice!

[Dave_Car_Guy]

I watched Leo expertly pilot the plucky 2000 Roadster around the AutoX course, and by my timer he was equalling a number of the Porches out there, even on stock tires. Leo mentioned he found it much easier to rotate the car around turns with stock tires. The sticky tires provided less wheel spin and then forced more side load onto his stock suspension. Here are a couple photos of his body roll after he put on the sticky tires…. and I will later post a short video so you can see and hear the fury of the 2-liter beast! Well done, Leo!

[notoptoy]

Way to go Leo, and thanks for the pictures Dave!

[seabiscuit]

Ah Dave! Are you a Panasport salesman on the side? I'm trying to hold out on wheels until I take care of my leaking exhaust but those pics tell me otherwise! I really dig the look and having side by side pics shows how they transform the car. Don't get me wrong, I still like the stockers (even with wrong caps), but those are tempting!

And then you post the roll photos! The car is known by a few names; I think the SS Minnow might be added to the list.

Front comp suspension here we come!??? you're killing me!!

Thanks for the pics too. I knew it was rolling, but that much? Wow!

[Gregs672000]

When you get the comp suspension on it do some before and after role pics... those would be really cool!

[Garm]

Well done Leo! You were really tossing it around!

LOL @ "SS Minnow". Did you have some Dramamine on hand, or a magnet bracelet?

[Dave_Car_Guy]

Ah Dave! Are you a Panasport salesman on the side? I really dig the look and having side by side pics shows how they transform the car.

Is it just me, or does the car just look happier in those Panasports?

Next up for Leo:
Exhaust
Wheels
Suspension

In that order. Your Christmas and Birthday wish lists are now very convenient. Your wife can thank me later...

[Garm]

^ And they are all "Safety Features", if she asks...

[Alvin]

nice job Leo!
I think the best thing to do is always drive the car bone stock and then start the mods so you can appreciate(adjust) the difference.

sticky tires on unchanged suspension will definitely create more body-roll

do you think the rear wheels will fit on similar sized Toyo slicks and comp springs in back?

[shifty]

Love the Panasports!

[SLOroadster]

I've created a monster. The Street TDs don't have huge amounts of grip, more than a set of Dunlop Star specs, or Hankook RS3s, but not as much as a set of C71 Hankooks, or Kuhmo V710s. This set is a set that is likely nearly heat cycled out. They might fit under stock fenders with comp springs but I can only ask why anyone would go that route. I've been down that road and its not the right road to follow. You will be better off with the stock rear springs. Get the front end down, with a 23mm front sway bar. To be honest, its hard to say which sway bar will be the right one, comp springs up front, with stock rears you might only want the stock 19mm, the only way to know is try it and see what happens.

I have the 19, 21 and 23 mm bars, I've run all three of them. Since I run a stiffer spring rate in the rear, I need the 23mm, however with stock springs and comps up front the 19 might work. It also depends on what sort of diff you have in the back. With an open one you might want to run more front bar to try and keep the body roll limited, however it might understeer too much. The smaller ones might allow the car to turn, but you will end up lifting the inside wheel. Without an LSD, its a double edged sword with no clear winner. It will be frustrating no matter what, if you aren't fighting wheel spin, you will be fighting wheel spin and understeer at the same time.

Will