I'm really not getting much traffic in the wheels & tires section, and this section has much higher traffic, so I'm going to try here.
Mods, I'm posting here because I'm two days away from buying a set of 18x9.5 +35 offset rims, and I've searched but I can't find anyone running this size on an FD.

Anyways, the issue is with the fronts. My front fenders are rolled out an inch more than stock. I've measured, even done 3D mock up models in AutoCAD, and 18x9.5 +35 fits under the front theoretically with 14mm to spare to the outer fender lip, which is fine. Inner lip would have 40mm clearance to nearest suspension component. 18x9.5 +35 with a 245/40/R18 tire will fit under the front by my calcs.

Now this is where it's confusing me.
Called the rim place to place my order. The guy there would not sell the rims to me. He says an 18x9.5 +35 rim "won't clear the brake caliper on an FD and it will hit the suspension. You need to run an 18x9.5 +20 rim or I can't help you"
Now I've gone away and done the measurements. His suggestion of a "+20" offset sounds like BS. At +20 offset 9.5 wide the rim lip outboard so much, it will rub the front fender lip and poke out too much?

Most of the "experts" I've talked to, are saying things like "Nah, you can't run a +35 under the front of the FD. You need to run +20 to fit the rim under there." But +20 means MORE dish. It pushes the rim FURTHER towards the fender lip than the +35?? Do these people really think that as the positive offset number decreases, the wheel fits under the fender better??? Its the opposite!! +45 fits under the fender lip BETTER than a +15 for example... I think these "experts" (wheel seller included) really have no clue what they are talking about, and I think I am right. I think 18x9.5 +35 with 245/40/R18 will fit under the car with 1 inch rolled out fenders all round, unless someone who actually owns an FD and has tried this, comes along and says no, it won't fit, for reason XYZ.

I'm about to tell the wheel retailer to just take my money and give the wheels to me, because I own the car and I am confident my measurements are right and he is wrong.

*Also, my home internet line has been severed by excavation, so I've just typed all this on an iPhone out of frustration, its late, I'm tired and I've been without internet for nearly two weeks apart from this phone. I've ordered and done all the dealings about the wheels on my phone and I'd just like the forums opinion on the fitting of these before the combination of no internets and an uncooperative wheel dealer drives me insane here

 

It will fit fine. Guys run 18x9.5 +45 and have no issues with it rubbing the springs(coiliovers). Really nothing to worry about on the inside, definitely would rub without a nice roll/pull on the fender though.

 

Thank you, someone who obviously knows their wheel offsets My fender lips are rolled, and the fenders are flared outwards 1 inch on the fronts, which was done before I got the car..

 

LOL, stock wheels are +50 and only 8" wide; they fit.


Dude does not know what he is talking about

 

I have 18x9.5 +35 all the way around. I'll post some pics tonight to show you the fitment.

I'm lowered and haven't rolled the fronts.

 

I guess it really depends on the wheels. Are they multi piece wheels? Going from +35 to +20 keeping all other things relative (barrels, lips, etc) WOULD allow 15mm MORE clearance from the hub surface to the back of the spokes.

Suspension components wont be an issue at +35, you have .88" of room per jimlabs guide
https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-w...sizing-416251/

Not sure about brake clearance, but I doubt it would be much of an issue; the way the brake rotor hubs are and the high stock offsets

 

Brake caliper clearance is determined by a combination of offset, wheel diameter, but more specifically, disk type. As far as I know, I don't know of any FD's having an issue clearing OEM brakes. 18x9.5 +35 will fit all day.

Taken from the More-Japan blog:


Regarding SSR wheels, we always get calls from customers asking what HP, MD, NR, SL are. Well, if you are in wheel business, you probably understand the meaning and the differences of it. Here is what they stand for:
HP = Hyper Disk or High Pad
MD = Medium Disk
NR = Normal Disk or Low disk
SL = Super Low disk



*Picture shown above: 17 inch SSR SP3R / 18 inch SSR SP3 side view.
By looking at the picture, it should give you a better understanding of each disks, and their differences. Noted that, the face or spoke shape won’t change despite different disk types. Let’s look at the deeper meaning of them.
Hyper disk has the greatest brake clearance among other type of disks, however it sacrifices the lip size. Many new vehicles these days come equipped with Big brake Kits (Ex. Brembo, Akebono) from Factory, such as Evo 8-10, Infiniti G37, Nissan 370Z, or Subaru STi. These vehicles would definitely need Hyper disk wheels in order to clear the brake calipers.
Medium disk has less clearance than HP disk by 10mm. It can be used on some vehicles with upgrade big brake kits but does not require Hyper disk.
Normal or Low disk is the most popular disk type, as it clears most of the OEM factory front and rear brakes (non BBK). Normal disk has less clearance than HP disk by 17mm.
Super Low disk give the most lip size possible. It is the most wanted disk for people who want the biggest lip. It has less clearance than HP disk by 30mm.
FYI, these are just the basic information that might help you understand the differences of the disks. However, there are few more things to be considered when customizing size and offset of wheel to fit vehicles.

Hope that helps.

 

I'm getting the feeling the dealer does not know/understand wheel offset very well. To be making comments like "No way, +35 offset is a very unusual offset, usually only fits on skyline rear wheels, that's too deep an offset to work on an FD. You need less dish, a +20 would be better" makes me think he does not understand how wheel offset works..
Its 9am here, so I'm going to call him again and say I want them, box them up and send them and take the payment for them LOL.
He will probably start up with the whole "these aren't going to fit, I don't want to be responsible for sending you something that doesn't fit" stuff, but I believe they will work.

 

Here's some pics from the garage.

Fronts. No roll or pull. 235/40/R18

 

And the rears 255/35/R18













As you can see in the final pic, the rears rubbed a bit after I lowered it. Once I rolled the fenders, no problems.

 

It looks..... Just like I had imagined it to be in my head... And just as the measurements worked out to be on paper.. I can actually see from the pics that your rears would have the 6mm (1/4 inch) clearance after you rolled your rear fenders (mine are already rolled).

In the front, it looks exactly as I imagined and worked out on paper, especially with the yellow level bar you used to show the level with fender pic. Only difference to you is my front fenders have 1 inch of pull on them, and the lips are rolled, so I will have more room than you have there.

I also have height adjustable coilovers, so I can adjust to get the clearance where I want it. But that is spot on perfect, thank you!! I just completed the transaction, hope the rims get here soon!

 

Glad I could help out man.

Do you have any pics of your front fenders? I've been considering pulling mine.

 

I'll take some especially for you.
However it might be a few days before I can get them up here, since my home internet has completely died and I'm waiting on the tech to come fix it. I cant upload much in the meantime But I will do it for you!

 

It'll fit perfectly, very flush without any rubbing.

 

airjordan: That fitment is perfect, nice and flush, makes me want to ****** up some FN01RC HV I found in the very same size/offset.

 

An update:

Wheels arrived today. 18x9.5 +35 fits on my car fine. NO issues.

To everyone who said they would not fit, I dont really know where that came from. +35 is the perfect fit, and my measurements are exactly what they were on paper, on the car.

+22, +20 and all those other "loads of dish" offsets would not have fit. +35 was the maximum amount of offset for the street, whilst retaining a good amount of dish.
Tires are 245/40/R18.

If you were to run more than +35, say +20 and below, you would need to look at fender lip pulling and stretching, as the rim lip will move outboard as the + offset number gets lower.

Pictures are coming soon!!

 

Good news ! Waiting for the pics ;-)

 

piiiiiiiiiiiiics

 

You wanted pics??
You asked for it!!


















These are ROTA P45R2 wheels, in 18x9.5 +35 offset. They fit absolutely 110% fine. I've been driving everywhere on them today.
Also of note, probably the first ever set of MOMO tires to be fitted to an FD (MOMO just began entry into the tire market a month ago, so these are hot off the production line) tires are 245/40/ZR18 all round. And wow are they good! I had Bridgestone Potenza G3's on the car before this, and they were utterly the worst garbage I've ever had the displeasure of driving on!!

 

More because you wanted em:
















I'd like to thank Airjordan for giving me the confirmation that the 18x9.5 +35 would fit, because they are perfect. Front fenders have been pulled 1" previously, and all 4 arches have had their lips rolled under. Suspension is TEIN RA and height adjustable.

 

And also of note- the ride height in these pics is the *minimum allowed by local law enforcement* in Australia, in my state- 100mm ground clearance at the lowest point. That is why it looks to be sitting up high. I could easily lower the heck out of the car a whole lot more than this with the coilovers, but I would get pulled over and ticketed pretty fast

 

Looks great, you should send some pics to the wheel dealer who said they won't fit.

Who pulled your fenders? They look perfect!

 

Yeah I did...
Front fenders were pulled in Japan for me, before the car came to Australia

 

That looks perfect

 

Great fitment, thanks for the pics !