roadsterdoc

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

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

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.

93redFD

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

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

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.

ARD T2

iTrader: (22)

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.

roadsterdoc

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:

93 R1

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

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

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....

cournal

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

Fatty_FC3S

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!

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

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!

rynberg

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.

dclin

iTrader: (4)

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! ). 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

93 R1

Fender lip tool?

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

dclin

iTrader: (4)

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.

dclin

iTrader: (4)

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

kyle@insight

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?

93 R1

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

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

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 . Any change you can email me some more pics? hehehe

roadsterdoc

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.

93 R1

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?

93 R1

Nevermind, I see the prices

roadsterdoc

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

dclin

iTrader: (4)

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.

dclin

iTrader: (4)

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

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