Top Performance Upgrades for 451

Want more performance from your little 451 then check out the list below. I would like to thank all the 451S members who helped compile the list. These upgrades can be done in any order and are tested by Dyno Results posted on this web site.

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 Add to this list..........

Tags: 451, exhaust, horns, performance, remap, tires, upgrades, veloce, wheels

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn on October 18, 2008 at 1:16am: Tires and wheels (Front 195/45x16 Rear 215/40x16); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Logan J on October 18, 2008 at 2:25am: Your wheels look good and you don't lose as much performance as the 17 inch.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn on October 18, 2008 at 2:45am: I stayed with factory specs in diameter. So acceleration did not get effected.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Logan J on October 18, 2008 at 2:59am: Oh, that's awesome then! Is your car lowered? Hows the ride compared to stock?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn on October 18, 2008 at 7:46pm: I have to lower the car. Checking to see which springs are the best.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lourdes on October 18, 2008 at 11:00am: i saw someone paint these wheels black in center part, are you thinking of painting them white?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn on October 18, 2008 at 7:47pm: I saw someone paint the white. They looked good. I will have to put it on the list to do.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Not so smart on October 18, 2008 at 2:15am: Hi Ian, Thanks for the reply. So the rims are all the same 15"diameter but the widths vary from 4.5 to 5.5 US and 5.0 to 6.5 Aussie. And is that inches or mm ? And that then dictates the maximum tire width that can be installed on that rim ? And a wider rim and tire in front makes the car handle better ? So what does the "J" mean ? Thanks again for your help.

Not so smart; ▶ Reply to This

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."; ▶ Reply to This

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; ▶ Reply to This