So, what's the problem with going to 35-40 offset?

drledford93

Member
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Mazdaspeed 3
Well? I've seen that our hub bore and bolt pattern matches the EVO VIII's, so I was looking at wheel comparisons. Has anyone gone that low in offset, and if so, what problems (if any) have you or would one encounter?

Thanks!

Daniel
 
Going to a lower offset will increase the possibility of rubbing. This will depend on quite a few variables though like wheel width, tire width and if your car has been lowered. I'm sure with the right combination you can get away with +35 offset wheels and not rub. But what that combination is I don't know.

I'm sure those that have run that offset without problems can chime in here.
 
It seems like most people have been just fine with low offset wheels. I on the other hand put on a set of 18x8+48 and the car got fubar'd... I'm still trying to figure out why because other people are using the same tire or wheel or even both together without problems.
 
Don't forget the biggest problem is you are adjusting your scrub radius. Therefore you will get a lot more torque steer. Do a search for scrub radius if you don't know what it is.
 
Don't forget the biggest problem is you are adjusting your scrub radius. Therefore you will get a lot more torque steer. Do a search for scrub radius if you don't know what it is.

Ok, so I did some research on SAI. What I gleened from the little I read is that it will cause high speed instability (not a problem--I don't take my car to high speeds...I have a 6 month old...) and it will reduce performance somewhat by reducing steering feel. This is a big one. I really like sharp turn in on my cars. That is one trade off I don't want to make. Well, that and the fact that it could fubar my car. That would not be good.

Also, the article states that insurance companies don't like to pay out when there are aftermarket wheels involved...

Hmm...Looks like I may stick with my RX7 3rd gen wheels and just get some sticky 16" rubber, if it exists... =(

Daniel
 
true about the weight but if you gave me the option of auto crossing with a 225/50/15 or a 225/35/18 and they both weighed the same I'ld snatch the 15's any day
 
bigger wheels may look better but smaller wheels are deffinitly better for performance.

Not Necessarily smaller but lighter. Less un-sprung weight and rotational mass on the outside of the wheel will help.

Exactly why smaller and lighter both make a difference, independently of each other. It takes less force to move that rotational mass as you move it closer to the pivot point/fulcrum. So, given the same weight, a smaller wheel will put that mass closer to the center of the wheel (the pivot point), thus requiring less force to move said same weight.

(And even though I know this, I have forgotten the formula to calculate such things, and am too lazy to Google it.)
 
To me, few things scream "ricer" like a complete disregard for chassis/handling dynamics for the sake of "hella flush setups" or "mad tight flushness"....


...but, to each his own, I guess. (dunno)

It does kinda look cool, nevertheless. Just don't tell me that an 18x9ish 30ish offset setup is dynamically superior to a proper setup with a reasonable scrub radius. ;)
 

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