Hey Manny,

Putting together a set of Fikse's and would like to know what your suggestion is for the perfect offset to fit a 255/40/17 on a 17,9 for an FD.
He's got your suspension setup. HR's and R1's.

TIA, Rishie

I figured that closest to a +45 would be great, what do you think. He wants to make sure he doesn't rub on full turn in and out. I'd measure but no FD for me, I chose three FC's instead. hehe. 3 for price of 1. IMO

 

I have a Fikse fitment guide in front of me.

Based on Fikse's fitment table, a 9 x 17 with 44 mm offset would be your only choice for 9 x 17s front and rear. 31.3 mm pushes the wheels too far out, the 56.7 mm offsets will rub the stock style springs.

You might be able to squeeze a 9.5 x 17 with 50.4 mm offset using 255/40-17s all the way around also, but that's running a little too close for this guy's comfort level.

If he wants to be absolutely sure about no rubbing at all, he should go with 8.5 x 17s all around with 50.4 mm offset, using 245/40-17 tires. I'd bet a new set of Fikse wheels that he'd get maximum front space and back space clearance from that fitment! It's very close to stock except you're adding 1/4-inch more rim width inboard and outboard of the stock 8-inch wide wheel!

Let me know what he decides...

Of course we all want to see pictures!!!

 

Yup, yup. Thanks so much Manny. He would really like more meat front and rear cause he's running the 245/45's on the 16's as it is and he says he's not getting enough contact.

He really wants the 9's and 255's, but if it will rub on turn in or turn out I doubt he'll want them.

I'll relay this info. to him and direct him to this post.

Thanks Manny,

Rishie

 

There is a report on Ciriani's site that reported no rubbing problems with 17"x9" Integrals on all 4 corners, 255/40, that wheel is 45mm offset. However, I have also heard reports of very minor rubbing upfront using that same setup, so I think its so close that it boils down to tire brand. I'm talking about no rolling fenders of course.

 

FWIW, Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrics tend to be narrower than Bridgestones or Michelins....

 

I plan to go with a new road setup...

SSR Integral A2s in 9 x 17s, 45 mm offset with 245/40-17 Bridgestone Potenza S-03s. The S-03s effectively have the same section width as the Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrics in size 255/40-17 mounted on 9-inch wide wheels, except the Brigestone 245/40-17 size is shorter than the Pirelli P-Zero 255/40-17 size, thus allowing more clearance from the front fenderlips.

255/40-17 Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrics are 10.3 inches on a 9-inch wide wheel. Overall diameter is 25.2 inches

245/40-17 Bridegetone Potenza S-03s are 10.2 inches on 9-inch wide wheel. Overall diameter is 24.8 inches

With the S-03s allowing 0.2 inches of shorter sidewall (0.4 inches shorter in overall diameter), the extra clearance should prevent any rubbing at full steering wheel lock (left OR right).

Please send me an email at LLozano@Prodigy.Net, regarding what kind of deal you can do for me for the above road setup.

You'll be shipping from South Bend, IN to Indianapolis, IN. My ZIP code is 46217.

In case you're curious, I'll either sell my current 8 x 16, 38-mm offset SSR Integral A2s, or use them for the Fall/Winter with 225/50-16 Bridgestone RE940 All Season treads mounted.

 

Sleep, unfortunately tirerackwholesale will not drop ship for their wholesale customers due to conflict of interest. Makes sense, cause then they would never be able to retail as we'd be cutting better deals.

I will look into a local distributor, hopefully get the tires at the same cost and only pay shipping one way.

I'm not interested in profitting from you as you've been such a great addition to this section of the forum and really helps me deal with estimates and shoot consultations back to you for reassurance on the FD's. You've earned it.

That's really good to know about the S-03's also, gonna keep that in mind. My goal is that it will be about $40.00 less than buying from tirerack and you won't need to pay tax. IMHO. I know you are strategic like that, hence the interest in getting them from me. hehe.

Get to you on Monday.

Thanks, Rishie

 

Thanks for the break on pricing! I appreciate it and am glad to help you and my FD brothers and sisters in any way.

I just wish I could support your Volk wheels, but sadly, I don't have the loot Maybe when I get bigger sponsorship, I'll be sure to shoot more Volk business your way

BTW, I presume the tires will already be mounted on the SSR wheels?

I look forward to receiving an email from you tomorrow.

Keep up the great work in providing us with the latest suspension/wheel products at very reasonable pricing!

Best regards,

Manny Lozano

 

That's the perfect offset for a 9 x 17 with a 255/40-17...I just received my SSR Integral A2s in 9 x 17 with 255/40-17 Yokohama AVS Intermediates from Tire Rack South Bend IN.

The tire is a perfect fit on the wheel rim. The tire section width is right at 10 inches wide mounted on the 9-inch wide rim. There is no sidewall bulge...perfectly square sidewalls when unloaded (not mounted on the car).

With my H&R Sport Springs, and -1.3 to -1.5 degress of negative, camber, I have absolutely NO RUBBING up front during my normal driving. This includes full wheel lock left or right.

The Yokohama AVS Intermediates were the perfect 255/40-17s to run on a 9 x 17, 45 mm SSR Integral A2s. The tire is 25 inches in overall diameter so it's right at stock tire height.

The numbers work out to front space of 3.2 inches and back space of 6.8 inches, and both are well within the max values of 3.5 inches front space and 7 inches back space for the front wheel positions using stock style sport springs.

I'm also impressed with the Yokohama AVS Intermediates. The ride quality is outstanding. I was fully expecting a very harsh ride, but neither I nor my wife can tell any difference in the ride quality (compared with the 8 x 16 225/50-16 tires). There is a slight "hum" at low speeds, but goes away at highway speeds. I haven't tested the handling limits, yet, as they're brand new tires with plenty of mold release left on the tread rubber.

Handling is another story. The car turns-in very easily and quickly. The steering response telepathic. The handling balance is perfectly preserved with the same sized tires/wheels all the way around.

Of course the aethetics are phenomenal. I wasn't expecting such a drastic change in the car's persona just by moving up to 9 x 17s and 255s. With big wide wheels and and 40-apsect ratio tires, my wife says the car looks much more aggressive.

I weighed the wheel tire combo on an analog bathroom scale, at <45 lbs. This is "light" for a full tread depth 255/40-17 tire mounted on a 9 x 17 wheel inflated to 32 psi. BUT, it IS 10 lbs more than the old 8 x 16 SSR Integral A2s with low tread depth 225/50-16 Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrics!

Still I think the 10 lbs weight penalty at each corner is worth the extra grip, and more agressive stance the car has with 10-inches of contact patch at all four corners!

Given my first impressions thus far, I'd go so far as to say, the 9 x 17, 45 mm offset, with 255/40-17s just might be the ULTIMATE ROAD SET UP for the FD Rx7!

One more thing...the price for the entire set up was $1710.16. This is for tires/wheels mounted, balanced and shipped to my back door with sales taxes paid (Indiana is 5%). The SSR Integral A2 (bright silver finish), 9 x 17, 45 mm offset is $289 each. The Yokohama AVS Intermediate in 255/40-17 is $106 each ($5 cheaper than the 245/40-17 size???). This amount is less than one set of Volk SE37Ks with NO TIRES, and HALF of what the Fikses would have been with NO TIRES!

Now I'm ready for my '99 FD Type RS brakes (Fr/Rr) which are due to arrive in the next couple of weeks. The '99 FD Type RS brakes are why I needed these 17-inch wheels and tires!!!!

 

PICS!!PICS!!PICS!!

Rishie

 

Hey SleepR1,

I'm ready to go ahead and order a similar setup. You mention that you are running H&R Sport Springs. Should this setup also work with stock touring springs as well?

 

Rishie, I took a few pics, but I haven't figured out how to post them on the forum??

Mr. Seven, the stock touring springs will work fine, as the ride height is much higher than with my 1.25-inch lowered ride height with H&R Springs.

I need to qualify my statements regarding the 255/40-17s on 9 x 17s with 45 mm offset wheels. This setup works with the Yokohama AVS Intermediates in 255/40-17 tires. The Yokos overall diameter is very close to stock (25 inches), and its tread width is just over 10 inches. The overall width of the SSR "9-inch width" is actually 10 inches from rim lip to rim lip; and the 255/40-17 AVS I's rim lip protectors are just BARELY wider than the SSR wheels' rim lips!

If you go with some other tire brand, like a Bridgestone S-03 (Bridgestones tend to run wider than the overall wheel widths), I can't guarantee that you will NOT get any rubbing, because I have not had any PERSONAL experience with the S-03 tires on my 9 x 17, 45 mm offset SSR Integral A2s! ALTHOUGH--if you have the stock Mazda springs, and its increased ride height, I would bet a set of Fikse wheels that you'll be FINE

STILL--if you want you to be conservative, try the AVS Intermediates in 255/40-17s on your Fikses. If you find that you have room for wider Bridgestones (in 255/40-17) up front, then get the Bridgestones for your next set.

I'm very picky with tires, but I'm actually quite impressed with the AVS Intermediates (in 255/40-17 size). For $106 each I wasn't expecting much more performance than a Kumho Ecsta Supra 712...but I'm pleasantly surprised by the Yokohamas...DELIGHTED actually

(Rishie, you were right about the AVS Is!)

Best of luck, Mr. Seven!

 

Mr Seven

I'm running Koni with stock springs, wheels and tires. I set the Konis spring perch to middle setting. I lowered the car about 3/8". On the street the tires never rubs but running at Button Willow I consistantly rub the front driver side inner linar, NOT GOOD!!!. Just FYI

Sleep R1

Thanks for post the wheel and tire info. I was wondering where you found the info tires

Later

 

gts,

Tire Rack has all the tire dimensions listed under "Specs and Sizes".

-ML

 

Manny,

Just ordered a set of SSR Integral 17x9 45 mm offset wheels with 255/40WR-17 Kumho ECSTA Supra 712's from Tire Rack. The Kumho's are a tad wider (10.2) than the Yokos but the overall diameter is the same 25 inches. Actually, the thread width might be the the same as the Yoko's 10in width is spec'd mounted on an 8.5 rim, so when mounted on a 9 inch rim should work out to be the same (10.2). I'll post the results once my set arrives from South Bend hopefully on Friday.

At about 1700 bucks for the set it certainly is a good deal!

 

Mr. Seven,

Wow, they're shipping from South Bend to SF? There's a warehouse in Reno NV? That could have saved you on shipping costs? You're paying what I paid with Indiana sales tax of 5%, plus shipping?

I'm just curious, but why'd do go with the Kumhos? The price difference was $1 more than the Yokohama AVS Intermediates. You must have liked the longer treadwear rating of the Kumhos at 280, vs the AVS I's 160 If you never plan to do any track, or autocross driving, you'll be fine with the Supra 712s. I plan to use the IA2/AVS I's during driving schools, and plan to save the Comps/Hoosiers for when the stop watches start keeping "score"...

I looked at the tire dimensions...the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712s are identical to the Yokohama AVS Intermediates in section width, mounted on 9-inch wide wheels, so your tread width will be 10 inches, same as mine.

At any rate, I'm looking forward to your thoughts...I'm extremely happy with my 17,9, 45-mm SSR IA2s with 255/40-17 Yokohama AVS I's!

Regards,

Manny Lozano
Motorsports Driving Club
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

Perhaps they were out of stock in Reno? I dunno, but according to my confirmation email they are shipping from Indiana and should be here by Friday. The shipping was only 18 dollars.

I don't plan on doing much track so I think the Kumho's will be fine. As much as I hate to admit it, I just liked the way the Kumho's look vs. the AVS I's.

But who knows, I may be regretting my decision before long, based on what everyone has been saying about Kumho's in general.

 

Shipping from South Bend IN to San Fran CA was only $18??? That can't be right! My wheel/tire total was $1581. Shipping from South Bend to Indy was $47.78. Indiana sales tax at 5% was $81.38. Grand total was $1710.16. Something's not right...

Well it's no secret to tire makers that tread pattern aesthetics plays a big part in tire sales, so there's no need to justify your liking the Kumho Supra tread pattern. Personally, I like the AVS Intermediates because of their apparent performance capabilities (relative to the price). The AVS I's' tread pattern is one I'm familiar with, and like very well. I especially like the sidewalls (very smooth). That's the most visible portion of the tire on my car due to the H&R lowering springs. You have to squat down and look well underneath to see the rear or front tires' tread patterns

ML
MDC
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

My mistake: the $18 was in addition to the standard shipping charges in order to upgrade to Fedex 2nd air. My total cost was about 1720 which included 8% California sales tax I assume, unless I was only charged Indiana sales tax since it was shipped out of South Bend.

 

Mr. Seven,

How have your SSR Integral A2, 45-mm offsets and 255/40-17 Kumho Ecstas worked for you so far?

I haven't had any rubbing at all.

Hope you're having success...

I'm enjoying my set with Yokohama AVS Intermediates immensely

ML
MDC
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

Thanks for asking

I'm pretty happy with the setup and no rubbing so far except when I am in reverse at full right lock (no rubbing going forward however -- pretty strange).

The Kumho's leave something to be desired however. They are very quiet at all speeds but seem to be no more grippy on dry pavement than the stock touring tires I had on the original 16" wheels. And after 500 miles or so I think I've broken them in plenty. Oh well, at least they were cheap

Right now, I am trying to research possible suspension upgrades, since the original touring suspension does not seem to be a good match for my bigger wheels and tires. Looking at the GC coilover kit + Bilsteins (I live in the city) but progressive springs would probably be better.

 

Mr. Seven,

Glad to know you like the setup (that is strange with the reverse deal, however?).

FWIW, I'm very happy with the Yokohama AVS I's (at a full dollar cheaper than the Kumhos). Now I can divert more fundage toward new Hoosier R3S03s for my SSR Comps once my current new Hoosiers wear out 1/3 of the way through the season

Best of luck in your hunt for a new suspension setup!

ML
MDC
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

SleepR1,
do you like the Yokohama AVS I's?

Wow, I was all set to buy the Bridgestone S03's but after reading your stellar testamonial on the AVS I's I may have second thoughts.

If you remember, you were helping me pick the right tire size for my volk 17x9 +41 offsets. I finally saved up some moola for tires and was looking at the 245/40 all the way around.

I'll have to take a look at those Yoks.

 

evot23,

Yeah, seriously, I do! For $106 for a 255/40-17 AVS Intermediate, there just isn't a tire out there that will get you 85% of the S-03s' performance level! That's not to say that I'll never buy S-03s, because I will. It's just that when you're buying wheels AND tires, and funds are limited, picking a really good tire, for a really great price, helps ease the financial burden a bit!

The funny thing is the Yokohama in 245/40-17 are a bit more expensive at $111 or something like that...(what gives?) at Tire Rack.

Anyhow, you will like them even for that price, I guarantee it

ML
MDC
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

Looking into the AVSI I found the section width to calculate to about 9.9 inches with a tread width of 8.7.

Measuring my wheel width at just about 10 inches. Will that .1 inch be of any concern?

The SO3's seem to fit better with a section width of 10.2 inches and tread width of 9 inches..but of course are about 40 bucks more.

Heard anything good about Bridgestone RE730's?

Eddie