FD Offset... yes I have checked the forums
 

As the subject states, I have looked through the forums searching for the answer. But I have found mixed responses. I have a 93 FD with stock suspension. This is what I want for new rims and tires, will they fit? From what I have read, this should fit with no rubbing. Let me know what you guys think?

Tires
Front: 225/35R18
Rear: 255/35R18

Rims
Front: 18x8.5
Rear: 18x9.5

Offset
Front: 38mm
Rear: 35mm

first id put wider tires on those rims maybe a 235 front and 265 rear... but for offsets you looking a little on the low side. Id assume the fronts will fit with the narrow tires. but the rear id question...

If youre spending the money may as well do it right and get a proper offset for the car. Get it closer to 50 and you can run wider wheels and rubber.

255 on a 9.5 would be quite a stretch, 265s or 275s would be better plus you get better grip

Mixed responses my ass...

An 18x8.5 +38 will probably work OK on a stock suspension car, but you'll still have to be careful turning while entering inclines and things. The proper tire sizes would be 225/40, 235/40, or 245/35, but I would probably stick with the 225/40 to minimize fender lip catchage.

An 18x9.5 +35 at the rear may slightly rub the fender lip with a 255/35, but it would likely just clear. With a higher offset, you could run a 265/35 or 275/35 on that rim width.

Bottom line, they are not good wheel choices, but will just fit.

waste to get wheels that big if you're going to use such small tires

This is strange you guys saying they might not fit. I had 19's on the car before and they only had a +35 offset for both front and back and they only rubbed in the front when I went over huge bumps or turned hard at high speeds. Plus, the tires were 265/30/19 in the rear and 245/35/19 in the front. Like I said, these 19's that I had only came in +35 offset and that was on a 19. So if I didn't notice any major problems with the 19 with the +35 offset why would I notice a difference with the 18's?

The reason I wanted to go with those tire sizes is that I didnt want to mess up my speedometer.

K, lets say I do put 265/35R18 on the rear and 235 or 245/35R18 on those rims. Will the offset work?

You won't mess up your speedometer... get some wider tires, and higher offsets.

Jimlab on this forum has posted a FD wheel and rim size excel file,and it states that a front rim with a 245/35R18 on a 18x8.5 should have an offset of +38. And a rear with a 265/30R18 on a 18x9.5 should also have a +38 offset. So according to this... if I got with these sizes and offsets, they will fit. What do you think?

check out the excel file
https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/fd-wheel-tire-sizing-416251/

I just talked to a guy a shop and he said he put new rims on two RX-7's last week and the front were 18x8.5 with an offset of +35 and rear of 18x9.5 with an offset of +32 and he said there is no problems with rubbing. That's what they recommend for the RX-7.

seems like your heart is set on getting too low of offsets. Why, I don't know. The older guys have given you good advice on getting proper fitments and higher offsets.

If your shop guy knows it fits then get them. But I would ask him if he guarentee's the fitment and would insure repairs on any body damage if the fitment isn't right. I bet he would back peddle and opt for higher offsets.

* just watch his facial expression of your shop guy since he seems so confident :pat:

this highest offset these rims come in is +40

35! 35! the narrowest 18" tire that should use a 30-series is a 285. Everything from 245 to 275 should be 35 series. 235 and 225 should be 40 series.

Then get the +40's.

NO! Jimlab's sheet shows the MINIMUM offsets, not the RECOMMENDED or IDEAL offsets!

Your wheel shop guy is clueless.

ah... thanks rynberg for pointing that out. So at least a +44 offset would be pretty good choice then. I do have rolled fenders.

our wheels are 8.5 front with a 45mm offset and 10 rear with a 45mm offset. I wouldn't go below a 38 in the front personally. If they offer a 40mm get it. If they have a 45 then get it instead. Nothing is worse than catching a fender and screwing up the paint. Alot depends on camber as well. With the 8.5 and 38mm offset you can add a little more negative camber to help out.

In the rear, a 9.5 with a 38mm offset is the same as a 10 with a 45mm offset. This would be the lowest I would go. You should run a 265/35-18 on the rear. Up front I would run a 235/40-18. These 2 sizes are the same diameter and very, very close to stock. The ideal setup is 245/35-18 front and 285/30-18 rear. I don't recomend the 285 on a 9.5 though.


Hope this helps

Mike

Just to let you know the paint on the fenders were already damaged when I bought the car. The guy had 19's on it, but he did roll the fenders. I have found another rim that I like and it has +45 offset for both front and rear. So I assume that is the best I'm going to find.

For tires, I was thinking about 265/35R18 in the rear and a 245/35R18 in the front. I actually found that a 245/35R18 is the closer to stock size compared to a 235/40R18. Thanks for the advice.

8.5 and 9.5 +45 offset is a very good fitment....and those are good tire sizes. Enjoy.