215 vs 225 Tire
 

I've recently purchased some replacement wheels for my FC... They are 17x7 +35 offset.. but I am going 'round and 'round in my head and on the forums trying to determine what tire size I want to order. It's between 215/45-17 and 225/45-17..

I really like a good, square sidewall on a tire. I'm getting mixed results using google finding a 215/45-17 on a 17x7 that consistently looks right. Whereas a 225/45-17 on a 17x7 produces consistent results on google image search showing the result I'm looking for.

I realize that between tire manufacturers you may have the same size tire actually be slightly different from one to the other. My worry here is clearance between the tire and the front strut (KYB AGX).

From all the threads I have found, it seems like I should be totally fine running a 225/45-17 on a 17x7 up front, but then there's others saying that the clearance is a bit tight with that setup under very high cornering loads -- is there any truth to this?

Input, purdy please!

The interference is between the tire and the spring. I have 225/45/17 on 17x7.5 +45 with stock type suspension and whether or not it fits depends on the spring. The wheels fit with the stock spring because there is a lot more room between the coils. They did not fit with the eibach springs because hit at coil at full droop and you can't bolt them on. A 5mm spacer is needed to clear it.
Using the +35 wheels will put you in better shape, but it'll come down to what brand tire and spring you are using.

Im using the factory springs currently, but eventually GF210s. I'll be running thr g-force sport comp-2's. Honestly at this point I've pretty much decided to run 215/45 and see where that puts me. It isnt like those tires last forever lol I only got about 18k out of my last set.

Great tire.

I have 7.5 inch rims, 225/45/17 tires with flat walls.. but can't say anything about the clearance between the rim and the shock because i have different shocks in front. one has a lot of clearance while the other has minimal...

GF210's will give you less inside clearance then the stock springs ...they are wound wider then stock at the tire level

Are tein s techs any more narrow ? I've been researching various name brand coilovers and even cheapo coilovers, but I have pretty much come to the conclusion that coilovers are not really necessary for my application. Good quality brand name coilovers are way more than I want to spend, and cheapo ones will basically worsen the handling. I do desire a lower ride height solely for the purposes of asthetics, and stiffer springs than the stockers are a plus. I've owned the racing beat springs in the past and they're a wee bit on the soft side.. not to mention the drop is laughable.

A compromise at this point sounds like something along the lines of Godspeed. Though I am reasonably convinced I would regret it.

I found this, I don't know if it helps.

B&G Suspension S2 Sport Springs - FREE SHIPPING

If you just want the height adjustment, you can make your own coilover kit with generic racing parts and adjustable spring perches. You can get the small diameter springs in any length and rate you want. I made a 200lbFront/250Rear spring combo on tokico blues and it was fine for street driving.

Ive run 225/45/17 17x8+28 with Tein S-tech and KYB AGX, i rolled the front fenders and it fits fine

215s look alright. Lots of clearance for the moment.

https://m.imgur.com/gallery/Uc5rApF

Up front I'm running 225-50-16 Yokohama S Drives on a 16x7+30 BBS RS with KYB AGX and B&G springs (roughly a 2" drop). No issues with clearance, although sidewall is close to the spring...

Keep in mind that the middle # is an aspect ratio, not an actual measurement. So... a 225x0.50=112.5mm sidewall. Stock 205-60-15 would be 123mm sidewall.

225-50-16 = 112.5mm sidewall height.

225-45-17 = 101.25mm sidewall height.

215-45-17 = 96.75mm sidewall height.

You'd have to adjust for it being a larger wheel compared to my 16", but you should be OK either way fitment-wise. Hope that helps.

Nate, care to post some pics of your car with that setup ?

I also cannot find the spring rates on those springs.. how do they compare to the racing beat springs ?

I like the B&G springs honestly. They are not cheap... $250? They are progressive rate springs, which are great for a street driven car. That with the adjust-ability of the KYB AGX and you can make the softish for the street or rock hard by cranking the shocks and struts up. I was really looking for another set of Eibach springs like a I had on my 90 GXL. These compare to those pretty well, but sit pretty low (on par with the GF210).


I cut a coil off the rears FYI.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psykmdmm97.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps6leaianh.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psipjc2rjc.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps8qzgfi6n.jpg

im running 225/45ZR17s on all 4 corners. Fits great!


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b94429c44b.jpg

New Wheels New Tires... 245/25ZR17s!