My baby's got new shoes!

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  #1  
Old 10-28-2006, 06:50 PM
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Default My baby's got new shoes!

Finally got my new 18"x8" Lexus GS430 wheels mounted up this morning with BF-Goodrich g-Force T/A KDWS tires 235/50ZR18. I went with the slightly larger tire size in order to correct for my 5% speedometer error. These tires will correct by 4.2%, so my speedometer should now read correctly. However, my odometer will also go further off from the existing 1.5% (assumed to be same as WVGasGuy findings via GPS) by another 4.2%, so I will not be able to use the TCH display for fuel mileage.

The car looks so much better with these wheels and tires! Definitely does not look like your basic family sedan anymore. Still not as sporty as an SE due to lack of body kit, but that will be my next project. I no longer have a desire to drop the car anymore on TRD springs, because the 50-profile tires filled up some the gap in the wheel well. In fact, 235/50/18 is probably the most you can go, because I only have about 1/4" left before the tire would rub the spring cover (see picture). The wheels and tires also stick out a little more, they still don't protrude past the wheel well.

Here are some Before/After pics, as well as a closeup of how close I am to the spring cover. I'm loving thse wheels, but I'm obviously biased. Let me know what you think!






 

Last edited by flopshot; 10-28-2006 at 06:57 PM.
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Old 10-28-2006, 07:38 PM
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Default Re: My baby's got new shoes!

Man - that looks AWESOME!!!! I'm looking at wheels now and was going to stop at 17's but I may just have to take another step up!
 
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Old 10-28-2006, 07:47 PM
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Default Re: My baby's got new shoes!

It looks nice, but since you asked someone else's opinion I have to say that I will never alter anything (unless is required/mandatory/recall from manufacturer)... the reason is I once had put a TRD super-charger on my ex 1999 4Runner and regretted ever since as TRD could not fix it to fit right under the hood and the worst was it was running lean of fuel and TRD could not help eliminating the famous noise/knock no matter if I used 93 0r 95 Octane gas. Anyways, as I said it looks great and enjoy your new wheels/tires and hopefully will not give you any trouble at all. Also, I would keep the original wheels just in case...
 
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Old 10-28-2006, 09:02 PM
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Default Re: My baby's got new shoes!

I will be interested in knowing how your FE is affected. It seems to me that the wider, more aggressive tires will increase rolling resistance (much like driving in the rain); thus decreasing FE. On the other hand, the car should handle much better. In any case, your car looks great. Please keep us informed regarding FE versus handling.
 
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Old 10-28-2006, 09:23 PM
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Default Re: My baby's got new shoes!

Wow, they look fantastic! I am also looking for a 18" five spoke wheel. Wondering what the weight difference is with your new set-up. Please keep us informed on the FE and handling. Definitely one unique looking TCH.
 
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Old 10-28-2006, 10:27 PM
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Default Re: My baby's got new shoes!

Originally Posted by agnosto
It looks nice, but since you asked someone else's opinion I have to say that I will never alter anything (unless is required/mandatory/recall from manufacturer)... the reason is I once had put a TRD super-charger on my ex 1999 4Runner and regretted ever since as TRD could not fix it to fit right under the hood and the worst was it was running lean of fuel and TRD could not help eliminating the famous noise/knock no matter if I used 93 0r 95 Octane gas. Anyways, as I said it looks great and enjoy your new wheels/tires and hopefully will not give you any trouble at all. Also, I would keep the original wheels just in case...
I'm sorry, but installing a supercharger onto an engine versus installing new wheels is not quite the same thing. Comparing the two is apples-to-oranges. If you are scared to change your wheels, or maybe your stereo, because of previous bad experience with a supercharger, then I truly hope you find a car that you are 100% completely satisfied with since you will never change anything from the factory.

Since I'm posting, here's a close-up comparison photo of the two wheels. Notice that I moved the Toyota center caps into the new wheels, thankfully they fit!

 

Last edited by flopshot; 10-28-2006 at 11:06 PM.
  #7  
Old 10-29-2006, 04:39 AM
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Default Re: My baby's got new shoes!

Looks nice - much nicer than the OEM wheels,

Time for mudflaps?
 
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Old 10-29-2006, 07:08 AM
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Default Re: My baby's got new shoes!

Originally Posted by Mainer
Time for mudflaps?
Nope, as mentioned, I am going to do an SE-style body kit.
http://www.razzi.com/recentreleases/new-camry-07.shtml
 
  #9  
Old 10-29-2006, 07:32 AM
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Default Re: My baby's got new shoes!

Originally Posted by flopshot
Nope, as mentioned, I am going to do an SE-style body kit.
http://www.razzi.com/recentreleases/new-camry-07.shtml
I like this body-kit... I'll be checking it out as well as potentially changing the paint scheme to go along with this;

http://www.toyotanation.com/photos/s...at/profile.php
 
  #10  
Old 10-29-2006, 11:01 AM
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Question Re: My baby's got new shoes!

Looks Great, but I don't get your comment about you FE being off, but your speedometer OK. If your tires are the correct circumference to keep your speedometer from being effected, then how can any other measurement be off?

I know it's not the point of the post, but I was just curious.
 


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