Anyone ever run wider wheels in the front?

[jdwk]

Many cars come with wider tires in the rear to achieve more traction in the rear and not oversteer as easily. Corvettes come to mind.

I know of only one car that ever came from the factory with wider front tires. The mid 2000's Grand Prix GXP had 255 on the front and 225 in the back to handle the transverse LS V8 they wedged into it.

Looking at the amount of space left in the fender there is definitely more room for wider tires up front than there is in the back of the Protege. I am curious if anyone has ever tried it. I am speaking more for lap times here, but we don't have an MSP racing specific session so figured I would ask here.

My feeling since the MSP, like any FWD car, already understeers plenty and could use as much traction up front as you could give it, that it could only improve things. Although I could foresee some nimbleness being lost.

Finding a set of matching wheels that come in both widths and proper offsets may be impossible, but if it is just for the track, mismatched wheels aren't a big deal.

 

[Spiced MSP]

don't know specs, msp is built boosting 14 pounds

 

[jdwk]

Wow, I wouldn't think it would be that obvious. Although, it looks like he has the same aspect ratio on both which would put a larger diameter on the front.

I think ideally you would want an 8.5" wheel with a 245/40-17 tire on the front so tire diameter would be nearly identical. Keep the back stock on a 7.5" 215/45-17 and find a +45 offset to bring the wheels out 10mm. On the front, the extra inch should bring out the wheel out 12.5, but you'd probably need to bring it 10mm as well to keep from rubbing the wheel well on full lock turns. With an extra 22.5mm, it's probably past the fender at that point.

I'll hunt around and see what I can find.