Are 18s too large for a street FD? (final ratio, etc)
 

I found a nice set of *fairly* lightweight 18" wheels for my stock suspension 94.
Here are the specs: F18x8, ET38 and R18x9, ET45

After doing a search, seems like these will fit fine. My concern is the diameter. I'd have to go with a very low profile tire to keep the stock final drive ratio. I'm thinking a 245/35/18 tire, which doesn't offer much rim protection in the event of a pothole. It also might create a teeth-jarring ride. I'd appreciate any feedback about FDs fitted with a setup like this.

TIA,
Chris

Don't kill yourself worrying about the final drive ratio. This is WAY overblown to the point of obsession... for the street, i'd run 235/40/18 front, 265/35/18 rear on those rim widths.

would he be running a taller tire for the front??

Not really. Both would be approximately 25.3-25.4" in diameter, depending on tire brand.

FWIW, the later-spec japanese FDs that came w/ 17" wheels used 235/45/17 front, 255/40/17 rear, which ARE taller in front, with no ill affect.

All of these are very common uprgraded wheel/tire sizes.

I'd do the fitment ptr mentioned. Don't worry about the diameter. You'll be fine.. Now what wheels are they. lol.

Later, Rihsie

Can't do the 245/35 not rec on 8" wide.

They are Advan Siena wheels. They are finally on the way and should arrive Thursday. Now I just need to decide on tires. Here's a pic:

Damn those are sweet. How much did they run you?

Nice lookin' wheels. I betcha they'll slow your rex down quite a bit though, 'specially from a dig. As much as I love my 17 inch Fikses, there is a noticeable difference between them and the stockers. I think it's partially b/c of my s03s, which I've concluded are very heavy tires.

93 R1, been meaning to ask you--who in the hell is that delectable creature in your sig? If that's your girl, you're one *very* lucky man....

235/40/18 & 275/35/18 on 9" wheels for me. no prob

18's Look the best hands down. Sure they may be slightly heavier, but i dont think its that big of a deal as people make it out to be.

You can go fast some of the time, but you can look good all of the time!

18's aren't always heavier, and the more i read, the more i hear that the tire weight is equally or more important, since it is the outermost component.

Even though i have fairly light SSR 17x9" rear (17 lbs or so), my 275/40/17 RE71 is 31 lbs!!...

i could run a 19x10" BBS (21 lbs) and a 25 lb Toyo T1S 275/30/19, and come out one pound ahead, and probably be better off, since the weight is more towards the center!

I was comparing the Toyo T1-s and the Bridgestone S-03 last night (I'll be in the market for new tires pretty soon). The weight differences are astounding! These figures are off the top of my head but I remember in the 265/40 17 size, the Toyo was 6 LBS lighter than the S-03! 6 friggin lbs is a huge difference as it is all at the perimeter of the wheel+tire mass (as you mentioned). God, you spend a lot of money to get light-weight wheels and then get killed with the tires.

I was going to get the S-03s but I have now changed my mind. Rishie, I'll be calling you to order some T1-S pretty soon -- like after the next few auto-crosses kill my tires the rest of the way. :evilgrin:

The Continental Contact 2's are even lighter then the Toyo T1S in certain sizes, though I doubt the the Contact 2's outperform the T1S.

Chris - sweet wheels! 245/35/18 is fine on a 8in wide wheel. The approved wheel width range of both the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 and Pirelli Pzero Rosso is 8"-9.5"


http://tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?m...Eagle+F1+GS-D3

http://tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?m...so+Asimmetrico

as is the Toyo T1S

http://toyo.com/tires/tire_specsheet.cfm?id=2

I've been wanting to try the Eagle F1 GSD3s, but they are not in the sizes I need (19"s, baby! :D). I would do 245/35/18 front and 265/35/18 rear in your case. The stockish diameter of the 245/35 (24.7" diameter) will help avoid fender lip problems up front, though there are other factors to consider in fit too.

I've got a fender lip tool coming in a months time, let me know if you want to borrow it. ;)
Daniel

Fender lip tool?

The goodyear F1 GSD2's are junk. Hopefully the GSD3's are betterk.

Better safe then sorry - and considering that the wait time for the 'loaner' from Tirerack is between 3 and 6 months (I'm on my 3rd month of waiting this second time, the first time took exactly 6 months) we might as well do everyone's car (that wants it) whiles it's in my possesion. I'm not going for a third time, unless I get a new car.

Fender lip gets pulled out under extreme (or even not so extreme cases) when one excutes a turn in which the suspension gets compressed and the tire tread meets the fender lip - such as turning into a steep drive going at a faster then normal rate.

I've seen it happen to stock cars with stock wheels/tire in very extreme cases, and is more common with aftermarket wheels tires. I consider it a good thing to do in either case, but it's not easy and paint can be damaged if done in too much of a hurry or not carefully.

Search under my user name and terms like 'fender lip' for more on why I think it happens.:)

Those links I gave does not seem to work. Try these, and click on 'Specs'

http://tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...Eagle+F1+GS-D3

http://tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...so+Asimmetrico

Those are the wheels I want for my FD! Great choice! Please post some pics when you've got them mounted.

Also, where'd you order them from?

I understand the rolled lip idea. I was just curious about the special tool you have.

Ok, the question still remains: WHO is that fine, fine female in as your avatar? C'mon, I'm out here defending our country surrounded by dudes :D . Any change you can email me some more pics? hehehe :p:

Thanks for the feedback and compliments. They arrived and look great. This weekend I'll try a dry fitment before I order tires. I'd prefer to get Toyo T1s but don't want to spend $300 per tire. I'm leaning towards the Kumho MX. I read good things in the magazines, but not from any individuals. As suggested, I want to use 245/40/18 front and 265/35/18 in the rear.

I bought the wheels here:
http://gruppe-s.com/Advan/advanwheels.htm

I'll get a weight and more pics this weekend.

Rich,
Sorry bro. No idea who she is. I just linked my avatar to a thumbnail version. The pic is saved on the forum and I can't access the original address. I appreciate what you guys are doing over there though. Sorry I can't help you out. You can check out my avatar at nopistons though.


HOW MUCH WERE THE ADVANS?

Nevermind, I see the prices

Fortunately I found a used set. The link above has the best prices. If you like paying more, here are some other sites:

http://www.spimotorsports.com/Catalo...__2_554633.htm

http://www.machiii.net/machiii/html/...AVS/SIENA.html

Chris, there is a big difference between 245/40 and 245/35/18s - almost an 1" difference in diameter. I strongly advise against it. I gaurentee you will definitely need to borrow the fender lip tool if you go with the taller tire.

Shop around - I believe ARD T2 is a Toyo dealer and can likely get you a good deal on the T1S. FWIW, the new Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3s are available in 245/35/18 and 265/35/18 - though no experience with them. The Goodyears (in 245/35) are $186 thru Tirerack, and the Pirellis are $225.

The Haweka fender lip tool coming in is identical to the one in this article:

http://www.overboost.com/story.asp?id=131
:)