offsets, tiresizes, spacers?! !!!I'M CONFUSED!!!

[yellowkyd278]

Alright, I've read through a number of threads and now I'm utterly confused. I have a very specific question and all it needs is an equally specific answer.. help ###?

1. I know a set of 18 x 8.5 TE-37's will fit but what is the IDEAL offset to purchase that the wheels come with?

2. I take my car to numerous track days w/ various clubs (@ infineon, laguna, thunderhill etc...) what is the best size tires for performance that will fit and not rub??

3. Some people don't like it when their tires stick out the fender. Is this becuase it negatively affects performance or just because they think it looks better. I've always been under the impression that wider tires = better handling.

Basically, what is the ideal wheel size (17"+ for diameter and whatever works best for width) & offset and tire size for that wheel for optimum performance at the track and in general?

If you guys could answer all three questions individually that'd be great. THANKS!!

 

[jtmcinder]

+38

285/30/18 on an 18x10.5 +12

looks and wheel-bearing damage

- Jtoby

 

[yellowkyd278]

Thanks!

Is there any way to prevent wheel bearing damage?


I've always been under the impression that 8.5 inches was the widest wheel dsms could get without major car modifications, was I wrong? If I'm right, what mods need to be done to fit wider wheels. If I'm, what's the widest wheel and tire that can be fit on the car without doing the mods to the question above?

Thanks! This really helps =].

 

[jtmcinder]

To protect your wheel bearings, run an offset near stock. But this will stop you from running nice, wide wheels and tires. So, actually, before anything else, make a decision: do I want my car to handle well or rust out before the wheel bearing go? If the former, then (for the umpteenth time) 245/40/17 on a 17x8 or 17x8.5 +38 thru +40 offset. If the latter, 225/45/17 on a 17x7.5 +45, but not an Azenis, because that 225 is as wide as many 245s.

- Jtoby

 

[yellowkyd278]

I want it to handle well .

How much damage are we talking about and approxiately how long does it take (I know it'll be very general since there's so many factors). What's causing the damage anyway and what are the damage's implications?

Thanks again toby.

 

[wret]

To start with, the widest tires that are practical on a street driven 2g dsm are 245's. These should go on a +38mm/+40mm offset wheel, as stated by Jtoby. Offsets in this range do not seem to have much effect on wheel bearing wear. To run anything wider than a 245, you will need a lower offset wheel to prevent rubbing the suspension under the car. This places leverage/torque on the wheel bearings that they were not designed for.

A set up like this is most likely for a race only car or at least dedicated wheels and tires, so the car will not see a lot of mileage on them, and would still not be wearing out a lot of wheel bearings. Then, at higher levels of competition, it is expected that many parts will see accelerated wear and damage.

Bottom line, if you ever get to the point wear you need to worry about wheel bearings, you won't be worried about them.

 

[jtmcinder]

I'm not sure what you mean by that last sentence, Ron. Like many other autocrossers with a 2G DSM, I'm averaging a wheel bearing a year, even though the car is driven less than 1000 miles. But maybe that's because I'm usually on Rs.

- Jtoby

 

[wret]

What I meant is that wheel bearings won't be a major concern for most dsm owners. When they get to a level of autocross competition where the combination of low wheel offsets and hard turning do cause accelerated wear to bearings (and many other parts), changing them will be part of routine maintenance rather than a worry.

 

[jtmcinder]

Ah. Gotcha. I agree. Sort of like: if you have to ask, you won't like the answer.

- Jtoby