Cold air intake

[Galaxy 0]

So I have been wondering if I was going to put a suspension left kit into my fortwo I would need to find away to bump up the hp to over come the new weight I would be add with the new tires, rims, etc. since my smart car is inter-cooled and turbocharged the only thing I can think of is a cold air intake but is it actually worth it on a smart car?? 

[Willys 741]

Not IMHO...As I said before get a better tune installed and lose your fuel economy or buy a power box, again losing fuel economy.  How big of tires are you hoping to install any ways..? I think the max that requires very little cutting of bodywork or cage will be 195/60-15's.....that is what I bought for mine but haven't installed them yet. I have seen a set of 195/65-15's installed but it required plenty of body work cutting and some grinding of the cage.  But they did fit afterwards. And he has the power box with a more aggressive tune installed. With the lift and tires his is quicker than mine by a noticable amount. BUT, again he drinks maybe double or 30% more fuel than I do. 

[MikeT 737]

The diesel has a cold air intake ex-factory, it's on the left rear fender. The air going in the hole is as cold as any other air outside the car.

 

Get a remap, preferably from Eddy in Richmond (you could possibly courier the engine ECU, to avoid the super long road trip). 60+ HP and zero, yes - zero, loss of fuel economy unless you drive it a lot harder. Wider tires on the other hand will increase consumption by about 0.2 L/100 km in all conditions, but the 195/175 combination is fabulous fun in the corners and on the track.

 

What's the reason for raising the car? Gravel road driving? The smart is a very light duty car and the front A-arms for example will not take much abuse from rough roads. They'd need reinforcement to take good hits. Also, the driveshafts' CV joints may grumble a bit....

[Willys 741]

Gravel roads and seriously badly maintained paved roads, where I live and also further up north, are my reasoning. I have neck issues and the jarring from bad roads etc create pain after hours driving.  Taller side walls are much more forgiving in all these situations. The added plus is I like the look of a fat tired machine for some childish reason.....the ols school Tonka truck toys come to mind...lol.  Sand buggies, Jeeps... etc

To each their own....I also didn't notice any difference in fuel economy loses after installing wider tires all round, but again I drive like an old lady.
 

I may look into this tune IF I feel the car is really suffering after the taller tires get installed....maybe?

 

[MikeT 737]

smart themselves in Europe rated the diesel with optional 175/195 tires as opposed to the 145/175 combo 0.2 L/100 km higher in consumption. I verified that with my first smart, when I put strikelines with wider rubber on in summer 2006. It's still possible to get phenomenal FE with the bigger tires though - today for example we averaged 3.4 L/100 km with the remap and the wide tires. I doubt a stock smart would have done much better.

[Henry 40]

One has to wonder if there are any aftermarket 14" wheels out there that would fit the smart 3 lug axels.  this would give more sidewall without changing wheel diameter

 

[Willys 741]

Wheel adapters....3 lug to 4 or 5...?

Wouldn't be the first time...lol.

 

[Galaxy 0]

I know there a lift kit option that comes with a 3” lift for the front, a 2” all around then a adapter from 3 lug nuts to 4 plus new tires, rims and fender flares 

 

 

the reason for wanting the left kit is because I want to make it so it can drive anywhere is I want and just to kinda make it my own since my family has 2 other black smart cars just like mine so it will just stand out a little more

[Galaxy 0]

Also I don’t have any idea about what size tires I want yet. I have been waiting until I figure out the hp before just incase there is a noticeable power lost when everything is done 

[Willys 741]

IF you increase the dia. of the tires them you will feel a loss for sure unless you add a tune or power box.