Echo Mods

[GTBaker]

OK...had the car 3 days now and already thinking of mods. Nothing too extream.

What's the largest rims I can put on her without getting into the extream low profiles. Also ram air.

Any suggestions?

Cheers
GTBaker

[quadraphonic]

Wheels.. well, I'd suggest 15s. They're lightweight and are generally the size the JDM tuners build their cars around.

Bump up the tire width a bit and run 195/50R15s. They're just a touch larger in diameter than the stock 175/65R14s. This will keep the rolling distance similar and reduce any power loss with a larger tire.

Also get the lightest 15s you can find! Konig Heliums weigh in at 11lbs.

As for ram air.. there's a few options.

The AEM CAI available from Toyota, the Weapon R, Blitz, and SPFR (SPFR.com).

Check out scionlife.com for ideas on engine parts.. most SHOULD fit, but always double check.

[GTBaker]

Thanks for the reply.

My Echo came stock with P155/80R 13". Which was good cause my old car had the same size which let me use the new mud and snow studded tires I just bought. But the Summer I would like to get a larger set of steel rims and tires.

Is 15" still an option for me?

Thansk also for the ram air info.

Cheers
GTBaker

[quadraphonic]

Hmm.. are you driving a 2000? They put some little wheels on those bad boys.

As far as I know though, the wheel hub is the same on all echos, which means that it should accomodate a 15" wheel without difficulty.

Some tips though.. the stock 15" steel wheels are 15x5 45 offset, the 14" alloys are 14x5.5 45 offset. So even with Toyota OEM wheels, there's some variation in wheel width and fitment. I think you'd be safe in looking at comparable sizes. Here's a wheel offset calculator..

http://toy4two.home.mindspring.com/offset.html

The problem you can run in to with improperly sized wheels would be strut or splash guard rubbing. If you run too big a tire, it can rub on the arch as well and accentuate any strut clearance issues.

Hope this helps!

[GTBaker]

Ya I'm driving a 2000 but according to all the reviews I've read on the Echo it came stock with the 14".

Would the US version and Canadian ver be different? Although on the www.1010tires.com site it shows 14" as well.

Those rim size numbers...where would I find those...like the offset number? Is there a website? I don't have the owners manual.

Cheers
GTBaker

[quadraphonic]

Send me your e-mail address in a PM. I'll forward you some pdfs.

[quadraphonic]

Just double checked those OEM wheel dimensions, I was +1 inch on the numbers.. it's been edited and corrected now.

OEM wheels were 14x5.5, 15x5.

[GTBaker]

Thanks for your help but my car is a 2000...the PDF you sent was for 2003. I think I will call Toyota tommorow and see what they say.

Where did you get that pdf file...just wondering if there might be a 2000 one floating around?

Thanks Again
GTBaker

[quadraphonic]

I know it's for 2003.. but it includes the older specs.

Where it shows the three wheels, the two on the left are pre-03. Though you tire size isn't represented, the wheel weel dimensions haven't changed between the years, nor has the mounting.

I have the whole repair/electrical manual as a pdf from eBay.

[GTBaker]

It must be a carry over from 2002. I will do more research.

Thanks
GTBaker

[GTBaker]

I found the size minus the offset...13" x 5". So the diameter is the 13'...is the 5" the width of the rim?

Cheers
GTBaker

Sorry for all the questions

[quadraphonic]

Yep, rim width will be 5"..

No worries about the questions, questions helped me learn what I do. If I can point you in the right direction, check out echofans.net. I'm over there all the time, lots of very knowledgeable guys.

[GTBaker]

Perfect!

Cheers
GTBaker