The Advanti Storm rim on my Alza is a light set of rim, claimed weight of 4.9kg per rim. Using light rim has many advantages, claimed to improve handling and acceleration at the same time, a perfect upgrade. This is almost consistent to what I have experienced, but to say it's perfect sounds too good to be true. Firstly, yes, it does improve acceleration and yes, it does improve handling by way of steering response but in terms of high speed stability, it seems to have gone worst and felt less traction than before. In fact, the heavy car stability feeling is no longer there and that doesn't give you much confident at high speed. Even at low speed, the suspension tends to move up and down more easily, causing a 'stormy' ride feeling. Some experts claimed that the reduced unsprung weight will cause the suspension to move more easily. Sound logical to me.
I guess the important lesson learnt here is that the rim weight must always be matched to the suspension setting as well or closely similar to the stock rim weight, to prevent upsetting the suspension behavior. If that is the case, what's the light rim made for? Well, the light rim is probably made for those upgraders i.e. from 13" to 15" rim and at the sametime, intends to maintain the same unsprung weight as before (a 15" rim is definitely heavier than a 13" unless if it's a light rim). Anyway, to satisfy myself on this purchase, well, the Advanti rim is definitely miles better looking than the stock rim.
Lately, the vertical motion just got unbearable. Was firstly thinking of getting a better set of dampers to get rid of this problem. But my regular foreman recommended a cheaper solution instead, by inserting rubber into spring. That basically reduce one moving coil on the spring and thus, reducing vertical movement or suspension travel. And yes, the ride so much tolerable now and not only that, it's stabler at speed and the suspension felt more supportive and not fully compressed when going over speed bumps. The stability obviously will also translate to better acceleration as the car felt to have more traction as well. You may now then think that ride comfort will suffer but honestly, the stiffer ride is hardly noticeable. How about handling then? Well, a bit of yes and no. You see, stiffer suspension should translate to better handling but as one of the coil cannot be compressed, the ride height has increased at the same time. So when I take high speed cornering, there is reduced sway but then, felt less confident to do that all the time cause the car is riding higher.
So, what I can say about this modification is that, if you want to improve handling but not too much so that ride comfort is maintained, and at the sametime does not want a lowered height (less trouble during road blocks), you should consider this. Anyway, it cost me only RM50 for the front sets, so no harm trying.
I guess the important lesson learnt here is that the rim weight must always be matched to the suspension setting as well or closely similar to the stock rim weight, to prevent upsetting the suspension behavior. If that is the case, what's the light rim made for? Well, the light rim is probably made for those upgraders i.e. from 13" to 15" rim and at the sametime, intends to maintain the same unsprung weight as before (a 15" rim is definitely heavier than a 13" unless if it's a light rim). Anyway, to satisfy myself on this purchase, well, the Advanti rim is definitely miles better looking than the stock rim.
Lately, the vertical motion just got unbearable. Was firstly thinking of getting a better set of dampers to get rid of this problem. But my regular foreman recommended a cheaper solution instead, by inserting rubber into spring. That basically reduce one moving coil on the spring and thus, reducing vertical movement or suspension travel. And yes, the ride so much tolerable now and not only that, it's stabler at speed and the suspension felt more supportive and not fully compressed when going over speed bumps. The stability obviously will also translate to better acceleration as the car felt to have more traction as well. You may now then think that ride comfort will suffer but honestly, the stiffer ride is hardly noticeable. How about handling then? Well, a bit of yes and no. You see, stiffer suspension should translate to better handling but as one of the coil cannot be compressed, the ride height has increased at the same time. So when I take high speed cornering, there is reduced sway but then, felt less confident to do that all the time cause the car is riding higher.
So, what I can say about this modification is that, if you want to improve handling but not too much so that ride comfort is maintained, and at the sametime does not want a lowered height (less trouble during road blocks), you should consider this. Anyway, it cost me only RM50 for the front sets, so no harm trying.
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