Will an 18X9.5 wheel with a +45 offset work on all four corners? I would love to go this route but I am considering taking it down to 18X9.0 +45 all around to reduce the chance of any rubbing, I gotta make sure to not get a tire that is too tall.. What would the pros and cons be of running a staggered width.. say 8.5 F and 9.5 R respectively? Wouldn't that induce a tad more understeer?

Matt
93 SSM

 

A staggered setup will induce more understeer. The sizes of tire closest to stock for an 18 inch wheel would be 225/40, 255/35, and 285/30 or 295/30.

 

If you're planning on running 18's I don't know that there's any way you can escape some wheel rub (particularly on the front), regardless of tire size. I'm running stock tires, so if the goal of changing tire width/profile is to maintain a stockish size, then I guarantee you'll rub at least a little (and more if you lower the car). I have some wheel rub if I'm cornering hard and hit a dip (there's a freeway entrance near my house that's like this), but it's not much. It is, however, enough for me to keep an eye on it if I got bigger wheels. I'd like to go the 18" route when I have the money to spend on wheels and tires, but I've really got to have some insurance against serious rubbing in turns (because I'm not a dragger, I take my car to tracks like Thunderhill where there are turns, camber changes and ups and downs).

Patrick

 

The more I think about it the more I like the 18x9 on all four corners the most, maintains 50/50 balance.. and I sure as heck don't need a 285/295 out back.

Matt
93 SSM

 

I currently run 18x9.5" 45mm offset all around with no rubbing. I do have a 2.5" adjustable coil-over system however, which gives more clearance "inside". Actually, the 9.5's with the 45mm offset seem to be a better fit than the 8.5" with the 33mm offset I had been running. I guess it'll also depend on how low you go. Currently, I'm just slightly lower than stock using 265/35 series rubber and I have NO rubbing.
Michel

 

How wide is the stock suspension setup in comparison to your coilovers?

Matt
93 SSM

 

After reading through the suspension forum and other places, I've decided I'm going with a 17x9 wheel when I eventually upgrade. 18s are just too heavy unless you get very expensive wheels and they severely limit tire choices. With 17x9, you can move up to 245/40 tires which seem ideal to me (with a stock suspension anyway). You can get 17s almost as light as stock w/o paying tons of cash too. So far, I'm looking at those SSR Integrals.

 

Do the right thing this car is about speed, handling and style. So don't forget about you turn capablities you want them to be quick and sharp and there nothing wrong with a little understeer. Go with 8.0 or 8.5 in the front.

 

which coilover setups are 2.5" diameter? tien HA?

if im getting 18x9.5 and 18x8.5 (+45 all around) with just plain-jane shocks and lowering springs will i have problems??? and does anyone with this setup rub in the front? please say it aint so!

by the way, im getting 285/35/18r and 245/40/18f, +45 offset, lowered 1.25/1.5.

thanks in advance!

 

Those tire sizes are almost an 1-inch taller than stock. Not only will that put your speedo off quite a bit, but you will definitely rub, especially with lowering springs.

 

your tire sizes are all wrong...

try 285x30x18 and 245x35x18 the latter size is hard to find...but Pirelli makes it

 

245/40-18 and 285/35-18 are too tall compared to the stock 225/50-16 tires, while 245/35 and 285/30 is a perfect plus-size. perfect as in 0.01 inches within stock diameter.

 

I put 245/40-18 in the front and it rub.Even with my tokiko shock.the best you can do in the front is 235/40/18.If you want to get any wider than 235, you have to get a lower profile.