99 spec staggered wheels questions
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
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From: CA (Bay Area)
99 spec staggered wheels questions
so all the 17" rim versions of the 99+ higher power (280hp) rx7's use a wider rear tire. why didnt they increase the tire size up front as well and gain some more braking grip? what are the advantages of staggering the wheel widths... i can only see drawbacks of having unequal grip in the front and rear, and causing problems in hard cornering. i mean, the FD was 50/50 for a reason... wouldnt the stagger upset the benefits of having 50/50 weight distribution? thanks, heath 
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 0
From: CA (Bay Area)
its supposed to be 235 up front... and youre outside of the manufacturers suggested rim size as well for those tires 
. either way, wouldnt running a 255 up front as well help with breaking INTO corners? i mean some people run 285's all around but it seems like that would make the steering feel heavy as ****... but honestly i dont know -heath
more tire in the back doesnt make you understeer, it just increases rear grip. so the balance may shift towards understeer, but overall grip increases. your driving style and suspension tuning can get around the balance pretty easily.
i roll 245F and 285R and i dont have a problem with understeer. its very neutral, and the rear slides at the limits, both braking and accelerating.
i roll 245F and 285R and i dont have a problem with understeer. its very neutral, and the rear slides at the limits, both braking and accelerating.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,001
Likes: 379
From: Aurora, Ontario, Canada
Since upgrading to the 99 spec wheels, I've noticed the car is more stable whenever I try to accelerate. Before on the stock 225/50/16's, I would try to apply power and the rear end would get significantly sideways. Enough to scare the people around me! lol
I've also noticed I can take the corners with more confidence due to the added rubber I have. Car feels more planted through the corner.
I run 245/40/17 front, and 255/40/17.
If you go with the stock OEM settings you'll notice the front will be slightly higher than the rear. I have no idea why Mazda spec'ed out the fronts like that.
A 8inch wide rim is meant to take a 245 wide tire. Just as a 8.5 wide rim will take 255.
I've also noticed I can take the corners with more confidence due to the added rubber I have. Car feels more planted through the corner.
I run 245/40/17 front, and 255/40/17.
If you go with the stock OEM settings you'll notice the front will be slightly higher than the rear. I have no idea why Mazda spec'ed out the fronts like that.
A 8inch wide rim is meant to take a 245 wide tire. Just as a 8.5 wide rim will take 255.
