IckZEE

Hello i recently purchased a 2004 velocity red mica 6mt and i LOVE this car. I am actually not sure what model it is but it does have the bose stereo system, a nav system, and dsc. I have been reading these forums for about a year now religously and have acquired quite a bit of knowledge about this machine i am lucky enough to own. I have payed little attention to this specific forum (payed way to much attention to improving horse power) and I am not sure what mods i need to do to increase turning at higher speeds. By turning at higher speeds i mean being able to do either a 90 degrees turn at higher than stock speeds without loosing traction and i also mean the ability to take longer meandering turns at speeds that with stock will be bordering losing traction, but with aftermarket still be comftorable with. Thank you.

NotAPreppie

I'd bet that tires will make the biggest difference on the '8. My guess for #2 would be suspension (sways, shocks, springs, etc). If yours still has the original equipment Bridgestone Potenza RE040 tires then you're due for a wakeup call in the traction department, especially in lower temps and/or rain.

IckZEE

yeah i am on potenzas and they have 50 percent tread life left said the dealership. And yeah im from newyork and the highest temperature i have been in this car is 60. Im getting blizzaks soon but money is a little tight so i have to wait a few weeks. I am not looking to lower my car but i have researched sway bars and i know they reduce body roll but i dont understand how that increases traction. In the beginning of spring i will buy new summer performance tires and im sure i can find good recomendations on this website. Thanks for your input

NotAPreppie

Yah, definitely get rid of the Bridgestones, especially for cold weather driving. I went with Falken Ziex ZE-512 in 225/55/17 ($90 each from Discount Tire Direct) on a set of 17x7 Racing Sparco D-Spec Stage 1 ($86 each from Discount Tire Direct) wheels for the winter. They don't grip quite as well when warm and dry but they make up for it by being much better in cold, wet and light snow conditions.

You'll also see a marked improvement in most other conditions with a different summer tire.

Xantium

Sway bars will reduce body roll which in turn will increase contact patch (traction). Think about it... when the car rolls.. so does the suspension.. and the tires. Its what negative camber is there to combat.

Bang for buck get front and rear sway bars and some 245/40/18 tires. (stock tires are a miata width)

IckZEE

Will 245/40/18 fit the stock rim? and yeh im looking to do a full suspension overhall with RB's products.