Plaid handling improvements: better wheels, tires, brakes, suspension options

[OCS300]

I talked with Jamie at Signature Wheels since those are the wheels I ordered. He says there should be no issue running 305/35/20 and that Tesla probably chose the 305/30/20 for their track package to lower the rotational diameter (just a guess).

My main goals are to survive the Chicago pot holes and add a little more cushion/comfort to the ride from the 21's I currently have. I will be going with 305/35/20 now for rear (and 285/35/20) for front.

Thanks for bringing this up today as I was just about to order tires.

 

[MarcG]

I’ll have 10” for front and 11” for back. Trying to do the same setup that got leaked for the Plaid track package with the 20” zero-g wheels.

the fronts will be 285/35, not 285/30

As you will see on link below, they are using 305/30 for the 20" rears and that really did not make sense to me as I assumed it should have been 305/35 since the 21" on running 295/30

Is Tesla planning a track pack for Model S Plaid?

Looking through Tesla’s parts catalogue, it would appear one is in the works, although nothing has been officially confirmed yet.

www.google.com

Sorry, that was a typo on my part - yes I meant 285/35-20 would be excessive for a 9.5" wide rim. Totally fine on a 10" wide rim though.

As for the rear, 305/30-20 is definitely weird as it yields a significantly smaller circumference than stock - see below screenshot for comparison.

Maybe it was a typo and it should be 305/35-20?

 

[MarcG]

I talked with Jamie at Signature Wheels since those are the wheels I ordered. He says there should be no issue running 305/35/20 and that Tesla probably chose the 305/30/20 for their track package to lower the rotational diameter (just a guess).

My main goals are to survive the Chicago pot holes and add a little more cushion/comfort to the ride from the 21's I currently have. I will be going with 305/35/20 now for rear (and 285/35/20) for front.

Thanks for bringing this up today as I was just about to order tires.

Well turns out Tesla's EPC site does show 305/30-20 rear tires, presumably for their track package:

 

[SignatureSales]

Well turns out Tesla's EPC site does show 305/30-20 rear tires, presumably for their track package:

View attachment 697802

We will find out soon if this tire combo would help on the 1/4 time or it's for around track. Brook from dragtime will be putting this exact wheel/tire setup at the dragstrip later this week.

Another interesting fact is that the "load rating" from the date doesn't match any tire that's currently on the market in the same size. I'm guessing it will be T1 or T2 spec Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tire. (Since it has been used on many hypercar that are capable of doing top speed over 200mph++)

 

[yayarearunner]

Please excuse my noob ev understanding. The way that regenerative braking is designed on a tesla, does installing aftermarket brakes impact or take away regen braking?

 

[FlatSix911]

Well turns out Tesla's EPC site does show 305/30-20 rear tires, presumably for their track package:

View attachment 697802

We will find out soon if this tire combo would help on the 1/4 time or it's for around track.
Brook from dragtime will be putting this exact wheel/tire setup at the dragstrip later this week.

Another interesting fact is that the "load rating" from the date doesn't match any tire that's currently on the market in the same size. I'm guessing it will be T1 or T2 spec Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tire. (Since it has been used on many hypercar that are capable of doing top speed over 200mph++)

It will be interesting to see if the 1/4 mile time improves with the track package... Brooks' best time with the Plaid is 9.27 seconds.
Here is the latest drag race with the $2.4M, 1,914 HP Rimac Nevera vs the 1,020 HP Tesla Model S Plaid down the 1/4 Mile.

 

[MarcG]

Ok time for a quick gut check on rims & tires.
Can someone please make sure I'm not crazy?

The stock 19" wheel config is:
FRONT = 255/45-19 on 19x9.5 ET40
REAR = 285/45-19 on 19x10.5 ET45

The stock 21" wheel config is:
FRONT = 265/35-21 on 21x9.5 ET40
REAR = 295/30-21 on 21x10.5 ET45

I'm thinking of going to a 20" setup consisting of:
FRONT = 265/40-20 on 20x9.5 ET35
REAR = 305/35-20 on 20x11(!) ET25

Put another way, the FRONT setup compared to stock would be:
255/45-19 on 19x9.5 ET40
265/40-20 on 20x9.5 ET35
265/35-21 on 21x9.5 ET40

And rear setup would be (also in bold font):
285/45-19 on 19x10.5 ET45
305/35-20 on 20x11 ET25
295/30-21 on 21x10.5 ET45

I know this gives the rears a bit of poke, but I like the look.
According to willtheyfit.com, it looks like this when comparing to stock 19" setup:

View attachment 697506



View attachment 697507

Alternative option with slightly wider (and lower profile) tires:

FRONT = 275/35-20 on 20x9.5 ET35
REAR = 315/30-20 on 20x11 ET25

Put another way, the FRONT setup compared to stock would be:
255/45-19 on 19x9.5 ET40
275/30-20 on 20x9.5 ET35
265/35-21 on 21x9.5 ET40

And rear setup would be (also in bold font):
285/45-19 on 19x10.5 ET45
315/30-20 on 20x11 ET25
295/30-21 on 21x10.5 ET45

Thoughts? Here are the revised willtheyfit.com (with fancier graphics) runs:

 

[cassiri]

Knowing Tesla, they will be EXACTLY the same. They took to using the same components across different S models a long time ago (thinking the short lived PD sport dampers that went away in three months).

Lolachampcar,
I am one of those that bought the P85D thinking I was getting a sport suspension only to have them change it shortly before I got mine in 2015. I am waiting for delivery of my Plaid in the next week but have an ongoing issue with the P85D suspension.
I have a very substantial rear side to side motion while going through big rear suspension compressions at speed. It is consistent and repeatable. Maybe slightly less on regular height and worse on low height.
I have had Tesla inspect and do a 4 wheel alignment twice. They can’t find anything wrong. I have read maybe rear toe link bushings are worn and allowing for rear steering? Any thoughts?
Looking forward to the Plaid adjustable suspension!

 

[lolachampcar]

No idea but it does sound scary. By chance is it a rear steer issue for lack of toe in? Does it change significantly based on torque demand?
Bill

FWIW, you will love the Plaid suspension if you are anything like me. I could not be happier as it is the perfect compromise between ride quality and handling for a very large sedan (ie. not BMW M Series stiff but very usable).

 

[ThurstonH3]

Ok, there is only so many pics you can post here. Please find the following dropbox link for the suspension pics.

Dropbox - File Deleted - Simplify your life

www.dropbox.com

Observations
Putting a straight edge across the rim/tire combination and measuring clearance from that line to the front and rear fender to set a baseline for wheel protrusion-

Stock 21s
Left/Right
In front of tire. .50 front .630
Behind the tire. .770 / .755

In front of tire. .460 rear .450
Behind the tire. .510 / .640

My 20s. (20x9). 255/40 ZR20. PS4S
.115
.405

.400
.050 (likely caused by toe changes as the ride height had not returned to normal - I needed to roll out the car)

The suspension is all new and very robust. Especially interesting are the torque links on the rear which are MASSIVE. The upper a-arm can be shimmed for camber adjustment

Ride height links are about 2" long and use a 0.390" ball.

Check out the clearance between tire OD and the front top upright arm. Take care not to increase the tire OD with your choice.

Sway bars are large. Fronts appear to be solid although it was hard to confirm. Rear appears to be tubular and I could not see the longitudinal mounting points and thus could not show the sway bar arm. These big bars explain some of the head snatch I feel when hitting a bump with one of the front wheels.

Tesla pulled the fenders down to close off wheel arch to tire clearance. Ground clearance is 5.140"/5.340" front/rear (I believe it was in low but really need to confirm this) and there is still a good bit of tire to arch clearance. A small reduction in tire OD combined with adjustable lowering links should allow CoG to be dropped by an inch which will make a big difference on turn in and mid corner feel.

Anyone else really taken aback by the lack of lateral support in the seats. I was hard pressed to put my finger on it but I finally realized that part of my problem in understanding the car is coming from lack of thigh and rib feedback from the seats. I really miss my sport seats in my old P90DL.

I've been alternating between the Raven and Plaid all weekend and said to myself - "the seats in my Raven are better..."

 

[lbowroom]

Please excuse my noob ev understanding. The way that regenerative braking is designed on a tesla, does installing aftermarket brakes impact or take away regen braking?

Regen has nothing to do with the braking system so no impact

 

[umair239]

Ok time for a quick gut check on rims & tires.
Can someone please make sure I'm not crazy?

The stock 19" wheel config is:
FRONT = 255/45-19 on 19x9.5 ET40
REAR = 285/45-19 on 19x10.5 ET45

The stock 21" wheel config is:
FRONT = 265/35-21 on 21x9.5 ET40
REAR = 295/30-21 on 21x10.5 ET45

I'm thinking of going to a 20" setup consisting of:
FRONT = 265/40-20 on 20x9.5 ET35
REAR = 305/35-20 on 20x11(!) ET25

Put another way, the FRONT setup compared to stock would be:
255/45-19 on 19x9.5 ET40
265/40-20 on 20x9.5 ET35
265/35-21 on 21x9.5 ET40

And rear setup would be (also in bold font):
285/45-19 on 19x10.5 ET45
305/35-20 on 20x11 ET25
295/30-21 on 21x10.5 ET45

I know this gives the rears a bit of poke, but I like the look.
According to willtheyfit.com, it looks like this when comparing to stock 19" setup:

View attachment 697506



View attachment 697507

I want to switch the 19 wheels too even though I love more range but I think 20" wheels might be the sweet spot.

 

[lolachampcar]

I think I am seeing camber adjustment in eccentric bolts on the front lower a-arm

 

[KZ-CLT]

I feel like such a dolt for not switching the Adaptive Suspension Damping to Advanced and sliding the Handling all the way to the right to Sport and the Ride Comfort to semi firm—to me the responsiveness is so much more engaging than the programmed “Sport” mode. Have y’all played with these adjustments? For me, it feels more satisfying to drive.

 

[Thepugster]

I feel like such a dolt for not switching the Adaptive Suspension Damping to Advanced and sliding the Handling all the way to the right to Sport and the Ride Comfort to semi firm—to me the responsiveness is so much more engaging than the programmed “Sport” mode. Have y’all played with these adjustments? For me, it feels more satisfying to drive.

I set the ride quality to the firmest and it just hurt my back. Do these settings affect performance? Or is it just for driver feeling?

 

[KZ-CLT]

It’s my understanding that the firmest setting can have a negative speed performance affect on a bumpy road if you lose contact—I think it’s about finding the sweet spot for the type of roads you’re driving. I don’t care for the body roll I was feeling and it seems that the “Handling“ setting all the way to the right corrected that. It also felt like the steering got tighter (though it might be my Imagination), which I liked. These settings wouldn’t be ideal for a cruise with the family because it feels rough. Hopefully I’m conveying this in a way that makes sense. I‘m on the 24.4 update. I understand there are additional updates for spirited driving in the latest release that I look forward to experiencing.

 

[lolachampcar]

I've been alternating between the Raven and Plaid all weekend and said to myself - "the seats in my Raven are better..."

I really miss my sport seats from the P90DL. The Plaid feels like I am sitting on a bench from an ole horse drawn cart. They are nice; just no support.

It is a bit painful in that a buddy bought my DL and I get reminded of the seats once a week or so going to lunch.

Now a pair of Audi E-Tron GT seats in my Plaid :0

 

[lbowroom]

Installed the N2itive links yesterday. Dialed them to a 1” drop. Was a bit worried it would be too much but it wasn’t at all. Can’t wait for my new wheels now to fill those wheel wells.

 

[omarsultan]

This popped up today -- kinda curious what it means:

 

[lbowroom]

This popped up today -- kinda curious what it means:

View attachment 706130

The what is pretty clear, it’s the why and the how that I wonder.