Changing my wheels ( Tire Size Question )

[GsX827]

I have a 97 GSX Eclipse, I've had for little over a year now, and I love the car, always loved these and It took a while but I finally bought one.

well after a year, the tires no longer hold air, I guess it sat for a while from the previous owner and now its time to get new tires.

I currently have 17inch enkei rims with 235/45/r17 size tires on them

I have been looking on craigslist for tire/rim combos trying to find something under 350.00 so I dont have have to fill the tires with air every 3 days

I found 245/45/r17s but I am not sure if they are going to fit.. I currently have no issues with rubbing or anything with my current tires, they do feel kind of stiff when I ride, but they dont look bad, if they just held air, I'd keep them.

Any suggestions on what tire size's are best, overall, I am going to be using these for the winter coming up, but I dont want winter only tires.

What is a good "all season" size tire, or at least some basis for choosing my next set of wheels on a limited budget.

Despite not having many posts, I've browsed this forum alot and found many answers to my questions without even having to post.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes their time to respond.

Chris, from Massachusetts

 

[DSMlover2011]

I would say you are already at the max size tires that can fit. I believe the 245s you are looking at will rub.

 

[krh195]

I used this chart when I was looking at new wheels for my Talon. Seemed to work alright for me.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/fre...tions/286685-will-these-wheels-tires-fit.html

I'm not sure what would work best for an all season tire, I park my car for the winter.

 

[Str8_Crazy]

I agree with Dsmlover. I think you will be rubbing with 245s biggest i would go would be 235.

 

[TJCTalon]

245's have been known to fit, may need to roll the fenders. Depends how low the car is. Always test fit before buying if possible.

Why all seasons? There are good tires (performance) for the price of a good all season tire.

 

[GsX827]

I used this chart when I was looking at new wheels for my Talon. Seemed to work alright for me.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/fre...tions/286685-will-these-wheels-tires-fit.html

I'm not sure what would work best for an all season tire, I park my car for the winter.

Thanks all, this should be all the info I need, any suggestions are welcome.

Chart is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[snowborder714]

Any idea on the specs (specifically backspacing) on your current wheels are? This will have an impact if you can run 245's or not.

 

[GsX827]

Any idea on the specs (specifically backspacing) on your current wheels are? This will have an impact if you can run 245's or not.

I am not sure of the current specs on the rims themselves or how to identify, the tire size is easy to spot.. because its clearly printed, if I was to locate the rim specs, where would I look? Would I remove the rim and check the inside?

Then I can check the offset wheel width ect?

 

[Alan11]

The rim specs is in the back of the rim.. (rim size offset ect.)
Tire size depend on your suspension set up and drop.
Ive ran 255's in the back and 245's with no rubbing at all.

 

[danielsl1999gsx]

Yeah i run 235/45/17 on Evo 9 BBS and i was rubbing, had to get my rear fenders rolled. so i would stick below 35 to be safe. But this is on a lower car, im probably like 2-2.5 inch off the floor.

 

[2GEffect6]

before you buy new tires I would take them to a shop and have the tires removed and resealed and then put back on. When the rims sit for a while, corrosion starts to build up around the bead area of the rim and it can cause leaking, also the valve stems might be junk from sitting for a year. It doesnt seem like this would be that big a problem that would cause the tires to leak that bad but I get a few of these problems a week at my shop and once I clean the crap off the rim and reseal it they dont have the problem anymore.

 

[jtmcinder]

My favorite summer tire size for a 2G AWD is 245/40/17. Only requires rolling the lip in the rear if you have the right offset (which I can't remember off the top of my head, but it might be +40). I would not run all-seasons on any DSM, especially in MA; the compromise is too much. Get some 215/50/17s or 225/50/17s Blizzaks for the winter.

 

[knochgoon24]

A 245/40/17 fits nicely on a +38mm. +40mm will be closer to the knuckle in the rear, but should be ok on a 97+.

You will need to roll the lip in the rear. I also pulled mine some since I had a nice roller to use. The fronts also needed rolled for me, but I lowered the car further than I should have.

Stock ride height:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/blogs/knochgoon24/1598-6-21-photo-shoot-whipple-dam-state-park.html

Lowered 1.5-2":
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/blogs/knochgoon24/2513-cleaned-up-ready-summer.html

 

[jtmcinder]

Yeah, I'm home now and checked: I had 17x8 +40 for my streets. I did not want to have to pull the rear fender, just roll the lip, and still be able to put a lot of crud in the trunk. Even though I had spaced-out upper rear arms for less camber, it was perfect. If I ran the streets in an autocross, I'd clean the rear knuckle off a little, but nothing bad at all. That was because the crappy BBS knock-offs I had would flex. If you aren't doing .8g corners on crappy wheels, you won't rub anything.

 

[knochgoon24]

What were you running for tires? I've heard the Star Specs are wider than some other 245/40/17's.

 

[jtmcinder]

We're talking 5+ years ago, dude. The tire back then to use as your streets and back-up rains was the Kumho MX. Falken Azenis were better than the MX in the dry, so they were better for STX, but the MX was better in the rain. If I arrived at an event and it was raining, I'd toss the Rs out of the trunk and just run the streets. I hate changing tires at events, especially when it's raining. (I currently just run 'Kook R-S3s in BS, even though it costs me a second or so. Have I mentioned that I hate changing tires at events? Yes? Well, said hatred get worse every year.)

 

[99gst_racer]

The tire back then to use as your streets and back-up rains was the Kumho MX.

I still have a set of those from 5+ years ago. Excellent tire. I haven't ever used anything but them since the first time I tried them out. Didn't the MX get superceded by something that was extremely similar?

 

[jtmcinder]

I think you're thinking of the ASX. IIRC, the MX is now Kumho's run-flat and it stinks. To be blunt, the R-S3 and the StarSpec are both so far beyond any ST-legal Kumho that I haven't paid much attention. The only Kumhos I have now are Soluses on the minivan. (The Solus is an excellent, cheap tire, by the way, so my love for Kumho has some outlet.)

 

[knochgoon24]

We're talking 5+ years ago, dude. The tire back then to use as your streets and back-up rains was the Kumho MX. Falken Azenis were better than the MX in the dry, so they were better for STX, but the MX was better in the rain. If I arrived at an event and it was raining, I'd toss the Rs out of the trunk and just run the streets. I hate changing tires at events, especially when it's raining. (I currently just run 'Kook R-S3s in BS, even though it costs me a second or so. Have I mentioned that I hate changing tires at events? Yes? Well, said hatred get worse every year.)

Yeah, I knew it was a while ago. I was asking because you said you had knuckle rubbing with a +40mm and I didn't have rubbing with +38mm and a "wider" tire.

You may want to look at Kumho again. They came out with a Kuhmo XS that's been said to be as good, if not slightly better than the Star Specs.

Makes me wonder just how much of the population smokes crack.

That said, I'm sure plenty of people think the same of me.

 

[GsX827]

Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 205/60 R15 Snow Tires with MSW wheels


will these fit. I found a GREAT deal on them. They are MINT.. I'm guessing the obvious answer is yes. haha, but its always nice to have you guys reassure me. Not like you get a receipt with craigslist purchases.

 

[jtmcinder]

15" MSW wheels on a 2G with factory big brakes? Doubt it.

 

[GsX827]

15" MSW wheels on a 2G with factory big brakes? Doubt it.

They're on :/ seem to be working fine.