Wheel and Tire Woes Options

[Fastbird]

Ok, so we got our new wheels and tires mated together today.

18x8 HP Racing HPR5 Wheels and 215/35-18 General Exclaim UHP tires. Here's the problem.

I feel that the 215's are just too narrow for the 8" wide rim. The sidewall just bows out a little too much for our taste/comfort level. That said, we're looking at selling the Exclaim UHP's and purchasing a wider tire.

A 235/30 would be PERFECT, but no one seems to make one. What are you 8" wide rim guys running in terms of tire sizing and keeping very near the stock diameter.

Right now it looks like the best compromise will be a 225/35-18, but I'm a little weary on how well the 225's will be width-wise.

Thoughts??

[95CelicaST]

way back when I had my 16X8 wheels I had 225/55 tires. They rubbed a little bit when you have the wheel cranked. They did, however, provide lip protection. It looked good. I didn't even know they made 30 profile tires. That would have to be the sh*ttiest ride ever.

Definately do not do a 30 profile, or your back will not be happy with you. I would go 40 profile, but depending on how far you are going to lower it, of any, because of rubbing.

[Fastbird]

My main concern is speedo calibration. I don't want it getting out of whack by a ton.

[95CelicaST]

Speedometers can be calibrated to compensate for bigger wheels. It shouldn't be off by too much. I think you need to worry about the 3S-GTE making that speedometer rise, not the wheels.

[Fastbird]

Here's a couple of pics to illustrate what I'm talking about:


Overall, the sidewall height is 3.0" tall and I'm comfortable with that. But....


You can see here how the sidewalls of the 215/35 tire are being pulled outwards on the 8" wide wheel. Not a terrible concern until you notice that


The first thing to touch anything is going to be the rim. Even laying the wheel down on the back side it lays on the rim and not any rubber.

So the real question, how much wider of a tire should be run on the 8" wide wheel to compensate and how low of a profile? Future plans call for Tein S-Tech springs in the short term, Tein SS coil overs down the road.

I'm thinking a 235/35 would be pretty good, maybe even a 245/35.

[95CelicaST]

225 should be good for clearance, but if you don't want to get something so close as to what you have now then go with 235, but I'm not sure about 245..

[Fastbird]

Well, I think we're going to ride these out to start with, hate to take a loss on brand new tires. I told the wife if she EVER curbs one of those rims that's it.

[jdg371]

got for the 235

you can bring your car to a calibration shop to fix the speedo..

Speedo < Bigger Tires

[Fastbird]

got for the 235

you can bring your car to a calibration shop to fix the speedo..

Speedo < Bigger Tires

I just realized that I could have done the speedo myself with a dakota digital box or the like. But, as it sits, we're not going to dismount the tires already on there (paid $110 today for mount/balance) and then try to resell them at a loss. Just not the wisest move.

[jgreening]

If it were me, this would be an easy choice (unless you were autocrossing or road coursing). I would get 235/40/18. There are tons of choices and the extra sidewall will make a BIG difference in ride comfort. The fact that the wheels are a little larger doesn't really hurt anything. Yes, your speedometer will read a few mph too slow and you will be a tenth of a second slow or so but no big deal. You have the power to make up for it.

[malpaso]

Ok, so we got our new wheels and tires mated together today.

18x8 HP Racing HPR5 Wheels and 215/35-18 General Exclaim UHP tires. Here's the problem.

I feel that the 215's are just too narrow for the 8" wide rim. The sidewall just bows out a little too much for our taste/comfort level. That said, we're looking at selling the Exclaim UHP's and purchasing a wider tire.

A 235/30 would be PERFECT, but no one seems to make one. What are you 8" wide rim guys running in terms of tire sizing and keeping very near the stock diameter.

Right now it looks like the best compromise will be a 225/35-18, but I'm a little weary on how well the 225's will be width-wise.

Thoughts??

see this topic buddy (http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=35319) there is everything you need to know about this

however some answers:
I feel that the 215's are just too narrow for the 8" wide rim... -> no they are not. Ever 8.5'' wide rim would fit... I don't se a problem.

it looks like the best compromise will be a 225/35-18 -> Agree to the letter, this would be my choice for sure

[Kadett]

Calculated the difference between stock and 235/35/18 tires.
Its 2.5 % difference

With a 245/35/18 its 3.7 % difference.

[celiracer]

Ya my spedo didn't change at all. I have 225/35/R18's on my 18/8'' rims they are just about the same size as the stock tires Height wise. I like them Ride very good. Also have Tein S-Techs, you just gotta be carefull about turns and curbs.

This post has been edited by celiracer: Jul 26, 2006 - 6:54 PM

[dustin15brown]

my tires are that thin i believe