RX-8 spare tire and BBK
So I have been driving around for awhile with a Racing Brake F/R BBK on my FD, but these brakes won't clear the OEM 16" spare tire (I tried it...even the rear won't clear) Since the RX8 comes with a 17" spare tire as an option I thought it would be worthwhile to pick one up and put it to the test.
The results are better than my expectation - the RX8 spare wheel will clear both the front and rear brakes. Really all I was hoping for was to be able to mount it on the rear, and if needed swap tires rear to front in a pinch if I had a front blowout. But the RX8 wheel easily clears both ends. It also fits nicely in the spare tire well, although it may stand proud a few mm higher than the OEM 16" spare. A small price to pay for the peace of mind that if I have a blowout, I can actually fit a spare tire to my car and at least limp home or to a tire shop. I highly recommend this mod if you have a BBK front and rear. Here are a few pics of the fitment First, the rear axle: https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...856fd871bd.jpg Tons of clearance: https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...342362b498.jpg Front, again no problem with caliper clearance: https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4653d36efe.jpg This may be common knowledge already, but I did not find anything in a search so I thought I'd post my results. |
Legit, thanks for posting :icon_tup:
Do you have the standard RB front BBK or the 'inboard' setup? |
The setup was on the car when I bought it, I think it has the standard RB calipers.
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Evidently many/most RX-8s came with the can of aerosol glop and no spare--- the spare was an option, and a pricey one at that. These aren't as easy to come by as I had originally thought.
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Originally Posted by GoodfellaFD3S
(Post 12018984)
Evidently many/most RX-8s came with the can of aerosol glop and no spare--- the spare was an option, and a pricey one at that. These aren't as easy to come by as I had originally thought.
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The spare tire was an accessory option, there are always people selling the complete kit on eBay or whatever but that has a lot of unneeded parts like the mounting frame etc. I found that there are sellers of just the rim and tire that were coming up from time to time in the $200 range on eBay, I located mine from a Nor Cal RX8 owner who was selling the wheel setup plus the cover bag on craigslist as he was converting his RX8 for track duty. Picked it up for $170 shipped, which is a premium over a comparable FD spare for sure. But it was brand new, and priceless to have on hand when you have that flat tire IMO.
Good idea about looking for a different Mazda with a 17" spare though! |
Originally Posted by j9fd3s
(Post 12019052)
perhaps there is another mazda with a 17" spare, the 6 has the same 5x114 bolt pattern
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Originally Posted by gracer7-rx7
(Post 12019108)
I think the Mazdaspeed 3 uses the same spare tire.
i should maybe add that a 17" spare wheel in a 5x114 bolt pattern shouldn't be too hard to find, outside of Mazda. if it matters the stock spare is 16x4 with a 40 offset |
The later model fd came with a 17" spare. I have a couple for those interested =D
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Originally Posted by cr-rex
(Post 12019149)
The later model fd came with a 17" spare. I have a couple for those interested =D
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man... i couldnt tell you off the top of my head. i will check for you tomorrow after work...
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Originally Posted by cr-rex
(Post 12019149)
The later model fd came with a 17" spare. I have a couple for those interested =D
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i need to find out how much they are to ship first. with a tire on it, its kind of heavy. could be expensive....
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8 Attachment(s)
got some pictures and stuff of the spares i have
Attachment 616123 Attachment 616124 Attachment 616125 Attachment 616126 Attachment 616127 Attachment 616128 Attachment 616129 Attachment 616130 |
I have an 8 spare as well. I tested it with my stoptechs and it clears. The best part is the 8 owners sell these for cheap.
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Originally Posted by cr-rex
(Post 12019596)
got some pictures and stuff of the spares i have
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...ps8qkhsb6y.jpg http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psfp2tpmoq.jpg http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psnk8bxrdw.jpg http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psr3787czi.jpg http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psx7aasmep.jpg http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...ps3pahppeq.jpg http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psmdbgivpt.jpg http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psf7tfxin6.jpg Looks to be the exact same rim and tire as my RX8 spare. |
Do these fit in the spare tire well still?
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Yes, with some room to spare. The only change point is that the wheel center seems to protrude slightly above the body trunk sheetmetal - so the spare tire cover floats a bit above the surrounding trunk area. But you really can't tell once the rear carpet is back in place. That is the only negative to this change.
I'll shoot a picture of it fitted to the spare tire well and post it later. |
Here's a couple of shots of the tire well area with the RX8 spare:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fd211617cf.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...68856a2060.jpg |
Thanks for sharing, this has always been a concern for me since I move up to 17" wheels. Time to search for some junk RX-8 in the area.
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Seems like RX8 spare tires are going for $200 now and shipping from Japan for a 17inch FD spare is an arm and a leg.
I ended up getting a spare from a 2019 Mustang for $40. It's the same diameter as the stock spare 125/70R17 and fits in the spare tire well in the FD. Another option for people with BBKs. |
Originally Posted by pd_day
(Post 12480029)
Seems like RX8 spare tires are going for $200 now and shipping from Japan for a 17inch FD spare is an arm and a leg.
I ended up getting a spare from a 2019 Mustang for $40. It's the same diameter as the stock spare 125/70R17 and fits in the spare tire well in the FD. Another option for people with BBKs. |
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