Top Performance Upgrades for 451

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on October 18, 2008 at 5:26am

Rim sizes are in inches. Tyre widths are in millimetres while diameter is in inches. (If the USA ever goes Metric, the whole mess may be respecified!)

The general "rule" for the smart 451 seems to be the rear tyres are 20mm (say 3/4") wider than the front. The rear rims are wider to suit the width and profile of the tyre.

J: Good question... I've lost track of what the J stands for in rim sizing / profiles. It's in the smart sepcifications so I just quoted it... there are some trivia in life that I don't bother to remember.

If you want to play with tire sizing options, have a look at: http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.jsp

The smart is rear engined, rear wheel drive. Most of the weight is on the rear wheels. The 175/55 on 5.0 rims on the front with no power steering is a good balance on my pulse. Steering is positive and direct. There is no wind buffeting / semi blasting / unexpected lane changing that seems to worry the US cars with 155/60 on 4.5 rims. You could possibly pick up a pair of ex rear wheels and tires from one of the guys who has swapped them out for something else. 175/55 do work on the front. Being on 5.5 rims may make them a bit heavier on the steering... dunno. It could also toss the ESP out a bit by changing to non factory tire size differential... dunno about that either.

The problem with the smart is that 155/60 R15 and 175/55 R15 sizes are not very common. Try using any tire manufacturers web site and enter the numbers.... you'll be lucky to find anything available. 195/50 R15 is more common. In essence, if the "average" smart owner ever needs new tyres, the smart service center is probably the only place that stock the size.... and the brand will be Continental. Fortunately the factory wheels and tyres on the pulse are brilliant, so I have no need to go shopping for replacements... replacing front tyres will be by smart service centre (I pray the price is reasonable!). Rear tyres: there are optional brands for 195/50 R15.

The old engineering maxim is: "if it works; don't fix it."

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Permalink Reply by andrewd on October 18, 2008 at 7:55am

standard (rear) 451 turbo wheel's 195/50/15 (aus spec) all round Powder coated black!
lowering by ;) soon to be lower, and color coded aprons and skirts when i get the time

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Permalink Reply by Lourdes on October 18, 2008 at 10:58am

Looks pretty, which springs did you install?

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Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn on February 11, 2009 at 7:51pm

I have been testing the K&N filter for the Smart.
It works well and adds to the performance of the car. The gas millage dose improve but the accleration gets better. After putting a 1000 miles on the Smart it is working well. I would recomend this filter to anyone who is looking to improve accleration of the Smart.

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Permalink Reply by SmartCar Performance on February 12, 2009 at 11:26am

Sprint Booster is a good Performance add on.

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Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn on July 12, 2009 at 5:31pm

1 Remap ECU Veloce 10% gain
2 Exhaust
3 Air filter
4 Aerodynamic upgrades (Brabus)
5 Tires and wheels (Front 195/45x16 Rear 215/40x16)
6 Horns dual from Hella
7 H7 Brighter bulbs front beams
8 Keeping the 451 washed, waxed and tires inflated to proper pressure (Nitrogen filled)
9 Scan gauge a must check the Scan gauge website
10 Driver's side "blind spot" mirror. (Important Upgrade)
11 Goodridge G-Stop Brakeline Kit
12 S-Mann front Disc brakes

Turbo is in thought process (115HP made in America) 0-60 under 8 seconds Top speed 130MPH

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