17x8s and 245 hoosiers

[sstecker]

just picked up a mazdaspeed protege and will be gutting/converting it to a time trials/w2w race car soon for NASA. car is paid for but not at my location yet. trying to find out what kind of tire i can get on it. looking for 17x8 on stock suspension/springs with 245/40(or 45)/17 hoosiers. i can fender roll if necessary but will i be rubbing springs/strut?

thanks!

 

[repthemazdas]

what offset do you want on the rims?

 

[sstecker]

dont have 8" wheels yet. i saw someones sig on here running evo 8 wheels at +45 i think? this will be a track only car - road courses. so rubbing at wheel lock wont be an issue. its spring/strut clearance. 245 is the largest for class i can go at this time. 225 is back up but 245 would be nice.

 

[repthemazdas]

oh well then yea, they will fit just fine! just go with the 245...

 

[122 Vega]

A 245 Hoosier will fit on a 17x8 +48mm with rolled rear fenders

 

[sstecker]

finally loaded the msp up on trailer and brought it home - appears to be a silver 2003.5 thats been repainted black.

thanks guys! adding points up to stay in TTE.. not sure if i can goto 245s anymore but would like i would like them! looks like 225s

 

[jdwk]

I think it also depends on the tire a bit since there is definitely some degree of variation in different models. I have stock sized tires (RE760 215/45/17) on stock rims but I am lowered 1.5" and the tires actually rub my fender wells on full lock. I guess you won't be going full lock on the track and I don't know your ride height, but just something to keep in mind. 245 really seems like you'll be pushing it. IMHO, the compound is way more important than the width. You can often save a lot of money by running a smaller tire and put it towards a stickier compound or replacing them more often, or your piggybank.

 

[sstecker]

ended up with hankooks 235/40 racing compounds on stock rims. getting ready for VIR this weekend - tires, carbotech x10/x8 brakes, new wires/plugs/ignition. gota new wastegate (oem style) to put on and replace fluids (water,brake fluid,oil). have to redo the vacuum lines - some mismatched sizes and some without clamps. cant wait to see how this thing handles