jeffn

Sorry if this has been covered, but I checked the archives and couldn't find my exact answer...

My new volk 57F's should be arriving this week, and I need to buy tires (for an FD)... So here's what I was thinking:

Rear: 9.5" rim with a 38mm offset in which I plan on mounting a 285/30-18 Bridgestone S-03 Pole Position. (24.8" diameter)

Front: 8.5" rim with a 40mm offset where I was trying to decide between a 255/35 or a 265/35. (25" and 25.4" diameter respectively)

Is there any "rule" in staggering on a FD? Are those tire widths going to rub in the front? Any experience?

I would like to have as neutral of a handling car as possible

thanks,
jeff

I'll post pics when I get them

rynberg

Your tire sizes are way off...

For an 18x8.5 wide rim, you should be running a 235/40 or a 245/35. For a 18x9.5, you should be running 265/35. Going larger than a 265 in back with a +38 offset may rub on the fender. Besides, a 285/30 shouldn't be mounted on a 9.5 wide rim.

Also, if you wanted a purely neutral handling setup, you should not have bought staggered-size rims. You may have to run a larger rear anti-roll bar to maintain neutrality, depending on your driving style and power output.

jeffn

Thanks for the reply. Way off though? While ideally I would run a wider rim with a 285, my Rays rims I had before were 9" rims and they had a 275 mounted to them. The lip of the rim and the tire were nice and square. <shrug> As for the front, even the the Tirerack website says a 255 is fine on a 8.5" rim. I was just wondering if it will fit up there without rubbing.

You're probably right on the handling, I guess I'll get what I can and then tune it accordingly...

thanks!

maxcooper

I wouldn't get rear tires that are smaller in diameter than the fronts. It would look funny.

Tire Rack has spec sheets for their tires that list recommended rim widths for each specific tire size and model. You can deviate from the recommendations, but it is generally better not to.

As the sidewalls get short on 18"s, the recommended rim width ranges tighten up. A 275 truck tire would be fine on an 8" rim, but a 275 low-profile tire might not even physically mount on an 8" rim.

I have some 285/30-18 tires (on 10" wide wheels), and in shopping for them I have only seen one tire model where 9.5" is within the recommended rim width range.

Yes, I know it is possible to go outside of the recommended range, but I personally don't think it is a good idea for a street car that you are free to buy any size wheels for.

10"-11" is the recommended rim width for 285/30-18 S-03s. I think some Pirellis in that size are blessed for use on 9.5" wheels, though. Still, I think you'd be better off with the 265s in the rear (bigger diameter) and 245s in the front. Those are the widths I use on my 17"x 8.5"F 9.5"R street wheels.

-Max

jeffn

OK, in doing more research I came across this from Rishie:

"Alright so I measured all the Volks and it's consistent. The wheels are consistently half an inch wider in effective width than the known "printed" width. This pertains in particular to the Volks and Kinesis and Gram Lights wheels. <snip> Therefore the 9.0" measures 9.5" in reality and the 10 is 10.5" and so on. This is for Volks and Enkei's tuning wheels. I checked both. “

I think this would explain my experience with my 8.5” rims before that fit a 275 no problem and were nice and “square”.

SO given this new info, NOW can I run 285/30-18’s in the back and 255 or 265/35-18’s in the front? I'm pretty sure I'm good on the back now, so just what are the limits then on an "effective" 9 inch rim with a 40mm offset for the front? (assuming I roll the fenders)

Thanks for the help guys! I'll return the favor with plenty of pics when I get them

rynberg

ALL wheels are slightly larger than nominal. The tire specs are designed for "nominal" widths, not actual. Stick to the tire sizes I recommended...

And yes, you weren't WAY off....I exaggerated....