[lordofgondor]

Hey fellow BHPians, hope you and your drivers are revving well. I want to increase the ground clearance of my Esteem VXi, 2007 model as much as possible without having any detrimental impact on handling of the car & safety. There are 2 ways that come to my mind, which are:

1. Tyre upsize from 13" to maximum possible keeping handling & safety in mind.
2. Suspension modifications to lift the car again keeping handling & safety in mind.

I request your valuable inputs on the above two. Am I thinking in the right direction. Detailed technical specifications for the changes in rim and the right tyre size would be greatly appreciated. Furthermore, if there are any other way to increase the GC, it would also help.

Thanks in advance!

[redrage]

Go on to 14" tyres. Most reliable option. AFAIK wont affect handling too much.

[Ricky_63]

Use spacers on the shockers. Will lift it up an inch to inch + at minimum cost, but a harder ride / suspension.

Why do you want to "lift" it ? (Thodi si to lift kara dey - Adnan Sami)


Cheers

[adi99]

Using spacers will lift your car but handling, suspension, brakes will go for a toss. Don't even think about it. I am not sure if tyre upsize will increase your GC but if it does, then it's good idea.

[akshay4587]

Originally Posted by adi99

Using spacers will lift your car but handling, suspension, brakes will go for a toss. Don't even think about it. I am not sure if tyre upsize will increase your GC but if it does, then it's good idea.

It does
I recently upgraded to 185/65/R14 from 175/70/R13
and the GC increased by .4inch that is roughly 10mm.

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by akshay4587

It does
I recently upgraded to 185/65/R14 from 175/70/R13
and the GC increased by .4inch that is roughly 10mm.

It looks like that with your upgrade you have decreased the aspect ratio from 70 to 65. I guess that kind of reduces the increase in GC. Can I increase the rim diameter without compromising on the aspect ratio?

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

Use spacers on the shockers. Will lift it up an inch to inch + at minimum cost, but a harder ride / suspension.

Why do you want to "lift" it ? (Thodi si to lift kara dey - Adnan Sami)

Cheers

Now that's a song everyone thinks about once in a while!
The reason I want to increase the GC is because I plan to do the Shimla-Spiti-Lahaul-Manali circuit in 2009. Lifting the car definitely increases the feasibility of completing it successfully! cheers:

[akshay4587]

Originally Posted by lordofgondor

It looks like that with your upgrade you have decreased the aspect ratio from 70 to 65. I guess that kind of reduces the increase in GC. Can I increase the rim diameter without compromising on the aspect ratio?

Yes aspect ratio was decreased from 70 to 65
although correct upsize was 185/60/R14
although this doesnot matter since the overall diameter increases because of 13" to 14" shift.


what tyre size is your car currently running on?

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by akshay4587

what tyre size is your car currently running on?

Currently the car's on the stock wheels, which I guess are 175/70/R13. Hey is it possible for me to upgrade to 15" wheels?

[nitrous]

correct upsize for 15" is 195/50/R15

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by nitrous

correct upsize for 15" is 195/50/R15

Thanks for the info man.

It seems that changing the rims & tyres won't be of any useful increase in GC. So keeping the context of making the said trip in mind, would making suspension changes like, stiffening, raising (metal/rubber spacers or lift kits) make sense? If yes, could you suggest what exactly is required to be done.

Also I would appreciate the contact details of a competent mechanic/workshop/garage who can perform such a work without introducing any handling & safety issues.

[nitrous]

Why would you want to increase GC?
If your suspension is healthy and you're riding on stock OD tyres, you wouln't need too much of GC.
Just drive at a 45 degree angle over speed bumps.

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by nitrous

correct upsize for 15" is 195/50/R15

Originally Posted by nitrous

Why would you want to increase GC?
If your suspension is healthy and you're riding on stock OD tyres, you wouln't need too much of GC.
Just drive at a 45 degree angle over speed bumps.

Hey Nitrous, I am more than happy with the current ride in city and touring conditions. No issues regarding GC for that. I need to increase it for the trip that I am gonna take in May next year to the Shimla-Spiti-Lahaul-Manali circuit.

Though if luck's on my side, I should do it with the car in stock condition, but don't want to take any chances. That's why want the maximum GC possible without impacting handling & safety. cheers: Hope that clarifies my delima!

[Ricky_63]

Originally Posted by adi99

Using spacers will lift your car but handling, suspension, brakes will go for a toss. Don't even think about it. I am not sure if tyre upsize will increase your GC but if it does, then it's good idea.

I do not think so. I did it on my Zen back in 1998, and NEVER had any of the issues you say may arise.

The correct upsize of tyres will not increase the ground clearance, as the OD of the tyre will / should remain the same. If the outer dia is increased then the tyres are bound to foul in the wheel wells & suspension, but yes it will increase ground clearance.

I'd say go for rally car type suspension setup if the spacers don't work for you. This will let the car handle the rough roads better - though you will have a very stiff ride.


Cheers




Cheers

[Ricky_63]

@ Mods

Kindly delete - double post

[nitrous]

@LordofGondor: I would suggest you do what Ricky says.