final: 17x8 vs 17x9 and tire size?

[Nliiitend1]

i wonder what would be more flush, a 17x8.5 +40 or a 17x9 +45.

idk anything. haha.

The 17x8.5 +40 would theoretically stick out a little more than 1mm more that the 17x8 +45...

As far as wet traction goes with the Kumhos, I don't think it's THAT bad...not really any worse than the traction you'd get in the wet with say, the Falken Azenis RT-615...I live in northeast FL, and we surely get more rain than you do...you just have to be a bit more careful when it rains, especially when you get down to the wear bars (where I am now).

 

[controlo]

The 17x8.5 +40 would theoretically stick out a little more than 1mm more that the 17x8 +45...

As far as wet traction goes with the Kumhos, I don't think it's THAT bad...not really any worse than the traction you'd get in the wet with say, the Falken Azenis RT-615...I live in northeast FL, and we surely get more rain than you do...you just have to be a bit more careful when it rains, especially when you get down to the wear bars (where I am now).

haha, yeah. well i'm not really that worried about the wet traction. any word on whether or not the gearing will be adversely affected by running the 235/45/17 kumho? should i go with a 235/40/17?

i'm such a noob.
(squinty)

 

[Nliiitend1]

I'd rather have the 45 series with a 17" wheel. It will fill out the wheelwell better and have more stock-ish gearing as well. The last thing this car needs is effectively shorter gearing IMO...

 

[H3br3w_Ham3r]

nice! what kind of tire did you get? i'm most likely going to get the kumho's. they're overall diameter is 25.4 vs. the stock potenzas 25.7. so that's probably the closest to stock gearing i'll find, right?

that's for 235/45/17

I got Hoosier A6's. They are racing tires so not for street use. 225/45 comes out at 24.7 in diameter so the gearing will be a bit shorter. These are going to be auto-x tires though, so the short gearing will be good for quick acceleration between corners.

 

[controlo]

I'd rather have the 45 series with a 17" wheel. It will fill out the wheelwell better and have more stock-ish gearing as well. The last thing this car needs is effectively shorter gearing IMO...

yea. although the 45 series would still be smaller than the stock diameter. do you think it's something that's going to matter? i mean, quarter mile, you already have to shift into fifth i believe.

 

[Nliiitend1]

Well I don't really think about it in terms of 1/4 mile consequences, but in the autocross/road racing arena, I find the stock gearing of this car to be plenty short. My 235/40R18s are even slightly smaller in diameter to the stock setup, and exactly the same OD (mathematically speaking) as a 235/45R17, but are the closest OD that I can get to the stock setup without beginning to exponentially increase the chances of rubbing...

At any rate, I think for 17" tires, 235/45R17 is what I'd go with.

I currently only have 17" setup for this car though, and it's a winter setup so maximizing tread width isn't exactly a priority...I'm running 215/50R17 snow tires with that setup.

 

[controlo]

Well I don't really think about it in terms of 1/4 mile consequences, but in the autocross/road racing arena, I find the stock gearing of this car to be plenty short. My 235/40R18s are even slightly smaller in diameter to the stock setup, and exactly the same OD (mathematically speaking) as a 235/45R17, but are the closest OD that I can get to the stock setup without beginning to exponentially increase the chances of rubbing...

At any rate, I think for 17" tires, 235/45R17 is what I'd go with.

I currently only have 17" setup for this car though, and it's a winter setup so maximizing tread width isn't exactly a priority...I'm running 215/50R17 snow tires with that setup.

so, with a 17x8 or 17x9, you'd still go with 235/45? i think i'm definitely getting that size tire in the kumho xs. not sure what wheel i want yet though. i need a photoshop wizzard.

 

[Nliiitend1]

Honestly I don't see the need for a 9 inch wide wheel. You can't fit much more tire in the wheelwells than you can fit with an 8" wide wheel, plus I don't like screwing with the scrub radius any more than is already achieved by running an 8" wide setup.

But yes, 235/45R17 is probably the tire size I'd go with if I was putting together a performance-oriented 17" wheel/tire setup.

 

[H3br3w_Ham3r]

so, with a 17x8 or 17x9, you'd still go with 235/45? i think i'm definitely getting that size tire in the kumho xs. not sure what wheel i want yet though. i need a photoshop wizzard.

RPF1's or OZ Alleggerita are what I suggest. Unless you want to pony up a little more cash like I did. The SSR Type C RS is on sale at tire rack. 33% off. 40$ more than the OZ's but they are forged! They are on the way already! I'll take a pic for you when they get here.

 

[controlo]

RPF1's or OZ Alleggerita are what I suggest. Unless you want to pony up a little more cash like I did. The SSR Type C RS is on sale at tire rack. 33% off. 40$ more than the OZ's but they are forged! They are on the way already! I'll take a pic for you when they get here.

ya, i'm not rich. haha. i like the alleggerita's as well but the rpf1's are most likely what i'm gonna get. i really like the kosei k1 ts too! wish they still had them in orange. haha.

 

[mr_mazda329]

Do the RPF1's. They are super light. Let this motivate you.

 

[controlo]

Do the RPF1's. They are super light. Let this motivate you.

i get super stoked on the 17x9's because i like the way the face of it looks compared to the convex face of the 17x8.

some pics look perfectly flush while others look like they stick out a little bit. i don't want my wheels to stick out. i'm not into it.

 

[mr_mazda329]

i get super stoked on the 17x9's because i like the way the face of it looks compared to the convex face of the 17x8.

some pics look perfectly flush while others look like they stick out a little bit. i don't want my wheels to stick out. i'm not into it.

That face can only be found on the 17x9's. Unless you feel like shaving down the hub (which enkei does on a lot of wheels to adjust offset). The 17x9's stick out a tad, but is very liveable.

 

[controlo]

That face can only be found on the 17x9's. Unless you feel like shaving down the hub (which enkei does on a lot of wheels to adjust offset). The 17x9's stick out a tad, but is very liveable.

yeah, that would be cool. would it still clear though? not sure if it is safe to shave that offset...

 

[mr_mazda329]

yeah, that would be cool. would it still clear though? not sure if it is safe to shave that offset...

I would honestly talk to Enkei about shaving the hub down. But the problem to doing that, that i can see is the inside clearance will be compromised.

 

[controlo]

I would honestly talk to Enkei about shaving the hub down. But the problem to doing that, that i can see is the inside clearance will be compromised.

word. i thought about that too.

 

[mr_mazda329]

Once these tires of mine wear down (Azenis), I'm def gonna get the Kumho XS in a 235/40R18. And i wanna sell my SVN's now.

 

[speedsports]

God, that is beautiful. Is he running Coil-Overs?

 

[mr_mazda329]

Don't be so concerned with the tire weight. That's what the lighter wheel is for. They're "heavy" for a reason. You want a light tire, you might end up giving up a lot of performance in terms of control, feel, dynamics and stability.

But the worst of unsprung weight is actually the tire since its on the outside and has more rotational force.


You will be good with any tire less than 25lbs..

 

[controlo]

well i'm pretty set on the tires. just need to figure out what wheels. haha.

tires are going to be 235/45/17 kumho ecsta xs.