I have mazdaspeed wheels at 17X8+38 front and 17X9+38 rear. I'm wondering what you guys would recommend as the best tire size, without rubbing or anything like that.

i was thinking of going with 225/45 front and 275/40 rear

 

Those are aggressive offsets, so there is no guarantee for "no rubbing". Best tire choice up front would be 235/45 17, you could run either 255/40 or 265/40 17 on the rears.

 

Saburo,

run 225/45/17 F and 255/40/17 R and I will garantee you "no rubbing". In fact you can also run 245/40 in the front with no rubbing either.

David

 

would there be any problem using a 255/45 in the rear? i can't find a 255/40 in the type of tire i want to use.

 

Saburo,

Here is a pic of a 245/40 on a 8" 32mm offset rim.

Looks a little "bulgy" compared to the 225/45 I used to run.

 

here's an idea of how a 225/45 sits on the same rims.

David

 

245/40 on 8" rim.

 

Little too tall. What tires are you looking at? The 255/40 sizing is quite popular.

David

 

here's another shot that I found, this time showing how a 255/40 sits on a 17x9 38mm rim.

David

 

im looking at dunlop sp sport 9000

 

They make a 255/40 17 in that tire. You can do better for the same money though. Almost every high performance tire made is available in that size.

 

what tire would you recommend?

 

Kumho MX... excellent bang per buck.

Check the thread surrently going on...

David

 

Funny, I think that's me behind you in your attached pic. I believe that was in the "bus stop" at Watkins Glen in '01 or '02.

Mark

 

not all mfg'ers tires are exactly the same width even though they might be labeled the same, like an azenis 205 is really close to a dunlop 225 !

but like other said, the kumho MX is the "wonder" tire for street performance.
I'd run 235 up front and 275 out back (because there is not a 265 wide 17" mx yet)

if you can tolerate a little wheel well rubbing, maybe a 245 front and 275 rear will be even better for performance.

 

Mark! That is you in the picture. I have the original picture up on the wall at work. I believe it was shortly after that shot was taken that the instructor had me pull into the pit lane. He thought we were "playing" with each other.

Cheers!

 

Sorry for the thread diversion all but...

Yes, I remember. That was definitely a good time. I bought a similiar picture from the photographer, taken at the same location and perspective. I do remember running together with some good laps. I thought it was fun, I didn't know we were considered to be "playing" with each other. :-)

Mark