Bally

Hi Folks

I originally posted this in the 3rd Generation Specific (1993 - Current) forum and was advised to repost in this forum. Any help would be appreciated.

Here is the original post



Hi

I could really do with some help regarding the mentioned wheels.

Has anyone been adventurous enough to buy 18" SSR GT3 and run them without any buckling after traveling over potholes. I read so many story regarding the SSR Comps buckling that spending the money for these beauties may give me a heart attack if I ended up screwing them up after running over a small pot hole. My coil over supports 550lb spring rate on the front and 450lB on the rear which I consider to be a hard ride. Also supports Koni’s all round which are set more towards firm setting. Due to the flexibility I have with ride height with the coil over kit I am hoping that I will get around any rubbing by adjusting the height.

I would be really grateful for any feedback regarding the SSR GT3 18".

I am thinking of running 18 X 8.5 on the front with 235 X 40 18" tires and 18 X 10 on the rear supporting 265 X 35 18" tires.

What offset should I be aiming for?......is it 45?

Thanks

Bally




URL for Wheels

dclin

iTrader: (4)

What, did I not give you enough info? The guys here can help you.

Bally

Hey Dclin

Your original response was amazing and I really appreciated it.

I just want to get as much info as possible and where better to get it then this forum.

Thanks bud!

Bally

ARD T2

iTrader: (22)

Those are great offsets. A +40 offset on the 8.5" would work also. I know the SSR GT3 is a more sturdy wheel than the comp. That wheel is not built solely on weight specs so you'll be fine. Where in California are you?

Conact me and I'll see if I can save you some money. You'll have to pay money order or cashier's check since you're in Cali.

dclin

iTrader: (4)

Just giving you a hard time.

This is my car when I had Gewalt Evolutions in 18X8.5 +44 front and 18X10 +44 rear, Pirelli P Zero Assimetricals 225/4018 and 285/30/18 respectively.



The 225/4018s were temporary until the 245/35/18s came into stock.

You really can't tell from this angle, but the front wheels looked slightly inset in the the fenders, where as the rears were dead flush with the fender. Looked slightly funny and a +40 18X8.5 would have pushed it out some, and the wider tire would have filled it out some as well.

While the +44 or +45 18X10 will work fine (maybe slight fender lip rolling if lowered drasticaly), I suggest something closer to what Johnny has in rear, +50 18X10.

The +49 18X10 +49 SSR GT3s are perfect in that 1) low pad height (da lip, da lip!) and 2) inset a little to match a +40 18X8.5 front. A +46 18X9 front will have a front face positioned the same as a +40 18X8.5 (front spacing), so something close to this will work as well.

Notice that I always include wheel width when mentioning offset. A wheel will sit very differently within a wheel well with same offset but different wheel width. Example, if you were to mount an + 40 18X10 and a +40 18X8.5 to the same hub (say the front of the car), the +40 18X10 will stick out further then the 8.5 of same offset by 3/4".

artowar2

Bally: I was considering 18" SSR Comps, but after hearing how they can be "delicate," I decided to go with Volk CE28Ns in a size that I should be able to rotate all around. Rishie's getting me a set in 18x9.5, with a 47mm offset. I'll be running 265/35 Kumho Ecsta V700 or Michelin Pilot Sport Cups.

SleepR1

artowar2,

This is a good idea, especially if you're going to run this size at all four corners

Let me know how like this setup!

artowar2

Yeah, I wanted to be able to rotate. I thought about going with 285/30s in the rear (or all around for that matter). I've got the room (2.5" springs and M2 Trailing Arms), and some adjustability M2/AD double adjustable, threaded perch shocks, Tri-Point front and Eibach rear adjustable swaybars, so I could have run larger tires all around or just in back.

But after two days of staring at wheel fitment charts, tire size charts, and my checkbook, I finally decided to stay with my original same-size-at-all-corners plan. Hell, I can always switch later. Besides, I remember guys like Todd Serota lapping Willow Springs in my car (when it was stock), a hell of a lot faster (and smoother than I'm going to be even with all the go-fast parts!

The tough part is that Rishie says I've got to wait around 90 days for the wheels to come to the states, and the pix have me drooling already! [SIDE NOTE: ANYONE ELSE THAT WANTS CE28Ns, ORDER FROM RISHIE NOW!!]. But I didn't tell you that the reason I shopped for bigger wheels in the first place is because I'm getting the 99 RS Brake kit (your evangelizing had an effect Manny!). If the timing works out, I can rebuild and paint the brakes, upgrade my radiator and oil cooler, and maybe even put in some of the cosmetic stuff I've been buying, by about the same time the wheels show up.

Now I just have to pick between the Kumho Ecsta V700 and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, which are the two readily available 265/35R18 R-compound tires that look like they would survive on the street. I'll probably just take the cheaper route and order the Kumhos. I'm not good enough to notice if the Michelins are faster...

SleepR1

Wow...I feel honored that you'd go with something I'd suggested Actually you will be very happy with the '99 Type RS FD Rx7 brakes. They've performed stellarly for me. Because they're a direct stock bolt-up upgrade, the brakes feel stock except for the much better pedal feel, and shorter braking distances (which is a good thing for street OR track!). The parts were not all that expensive considering comparable 4-wheel brake kits will cost 3X more

I agree that the Kumho Ecsta V700s will be the better choice for now...the Michelins are much to pricey (even for me!). If I had to go with R-compound tires that HAD to go on the public roads, Kumhos (Ecsta or Victoracers) would be my choice too!

How about posting a pic of those CE28Ns?

Do you think Rishie could do a 9.5 x 18, 50.8-mm offset front and 10.5 x 18, 44.5-mm offset rear; with 265/35-18 front and 295/30-18 rear Pirelli P-Zeros? That's 11 and 11.5 inches of tire section width fr/rr, respectively...I'm going for the steam-roller look I'll probably need to roll the rear fender lips.

artowar2

I've been using this chart to check sizes:

http://www.upgrademotoring.com/wheels/ce28n.htm

It looks like they don't have those offsets available, though. Also, Rishie mentioned that the 9.5x18x47mm offset would be a special order, since they don't normally send those to the U.S.

Heh, a 295 in back would definitely look good though...

SleepR1

Yeah, I like the idea of running 9.5 x 17, 47-mm offset Volk CE28Ns all around with Kumho Victoracer V700s in 255/40-17...I'd get a set of 5 wheels/tires and run them all summer (during the autocross, and open-tracking season). My preference would be silver finish (since that's a standard, no-cost color)...I hope Rishie does better than Upgrade Motoring...the CE28Ns aren't cheap!

The extra CE28N/Kumho V700 will serve as a full-size spare since the 16-inch temp spare will not fit over the Type RS brake calipers. Besides, if you're driving to/from open-track events, you'll want a full-size spare in case you run over debris that flattens your tire...at least your weekend WON'T be ruined

Bally

Hi

Dclin

You done it again.....giving me more info. Thanks for all your time.

And as for Artowar2 and SleepR1 thanks for the info guys I really appreciate it

I am also checking out nocab72 setup which I must say looks the part. See earlier thread about "18's with tein ha anyone rubbing".

Will keep you all posted.

Bally

MilesBFree

iTrader: (2)

I did some math based on the 2.5" coil-overs on my car, my 18x10s, and a 7.5" backspace. I came up with a chart that gives an estimated offset/backspace for different widths with stock springs. See my site, and go to Upgrades --> Wheels --> Will These Wheels Fit My Car?

SleepR1

You Da Man, Steve!