225 tire + 7.5" wheel..?

[HALO1]

I've been running on BF-G KDW2s (225/45-17)for about two months now, and love the shit out of 'em. However, I've noticed some unwanted sidewall flex, and I'm starting to assume that's because I'm on the stock wheel (6.5" width, I believe?). If I went up to a 7.5" width, would this allow the tire to better stretch itself across the wheel, or should I go to 8.0"?

I'd like to stick to 7.5" to avoid rubbing the wheel well, but I can correct this with offset if needed. Let me know what you all think.

 

[JJNovo]

If you have a look at the spec sheet on BFG's website, one column has recommended wheel widths. Most tire manufacurers have a page which has recommended wheel widths. Here's a link to their PDF doc spec sheet for the KDW.

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/assets/pdf/gforce_ta_kdw.pdf

 

[DSMSpyder99]

on a 7" rim 225 are perfect, you get a slight overhang to protect your rims. On 8" the 225's are too small, trust me my friends RX8 has 225 with 8".

 

[jtmcinder]

You can put 225/45/17 KDWs on anything up to 8.5" wide wheels, but that would be silly. The recommended width is 7.5". You'd get slightly better turn-in with an 8" wheel, but the added weight and cost would make this not worth it, IMO.

- Jtoby

 

[Ballin' GS]

on a 7" rim 225 are perfect, you get a slight overhang to protect your rims. On 8" the 225's are too small, trust me my friends RX8 has 225 with 8".

a 225 sized tire is fine on an 8" rim. And yes, i have 225's on my 8" rim. and so do alot of friends of mine with eclipses, and non of us have problems. I'm trying to figure out how they are too small?

 

[Turbo Shogun]

You can stretch the sidewalls, and as Toby posted, it gives you better turn in, but if you have really nice rims, and do alot of cornering, you're putting a large investment in jeopardy, should you run into something. I wouldn't recommend it for street driving. Stretching the sidewalls makes the tire react quicker than normal, due to an increased resistance to flex because it's been stretched out, thus, it's quite popular with the drifting scene.

225's on a 17x7.5 are perfect. Although some tire manufacturers "versions" of 225's may be skinnier or wider than the measurement denotes - My Falken FK451's in 225 are about as wide as a Michelin Pilot Sport in 205.

 

[jtmcinder]

Stretching the sidewalls makes the tire react quicker than normal, due to an increased resistance to flex because it's been stretched out....

What???

If this was a guess, please withdraw it. If you really meant this, please explain it more completely or cite a source. Thanks.

- Jtoby

 

[sweet97]

I have found a wheel i like. it's an American racing "casino" that's available in a 17" x 7.5". It seems the stock 6" rims on my '93 AWD Talon do not have much room to spare. What offset would these 7.5" wheels need to fit my AWD Talon?

 

[CowPimp]

My wheels are only 7" wide and I have 225 series tires on them. The setup seems to work fine, although I think 7.5" would be optimal according to what I have heard others recommend on these forums.

 

[Ballin' GS]

About 7.5"-8.5" is the usual recommendation for a 225 tire.

 

[aleccolin]

Soooo, say I've got a set of 17x7 wheels. I COULD mount some 225/45/17s and be fine, but would a 215/45 or 215/50/17 look better, being a little better matched to the rim width? Anyone with 225's mounted on 7" wheels that had pics, please respond so I can order some desperately needed tires.

 

[Ballin' GS]

You could, and your speedometer would be off. 215/45/17, stay with that.

 

[sweet97]

Th "book" at the tire store said 225's were correct for the 17"X7.5 wheels I bught. Speed should be corect. Speedo should be correct for the 17" on 7 rims but that rim may not be wide enough by the "book" to run 225's. Check wih the place you are buying your tires. Mark