ASK ALL WHEEL/TIRE FITMENT QUESTIONS HERE - The Official Wheel/Tire Fitment Thread

[Mystikal]

I was wondering, I have fairly extensive fender work on all corners, what tire could I run to get some more meat on the ground. I'm running 16x8 et15's front and rear and I'm on eibach race springs. Non coilover eibachs. So what could I fit?

As of now I'm on 205-45s and I want a little more meat.

Thanks


E30_Fiend

Without seeing and measuring how much space you made (as well as where), I can't say what will fit. For your purposes I say either trial and error, trial and modify more, or trial and get lucky. 225/45/16 is about the biggest I can see working without SERIOUS metal work at that offset.

[240zs30]

.

The list begins and ends with H&R. Not saying others are necessarily bad, but H&R is tried and true.

Thank you Jay,

235's is really what I wanted all around. The spacers are HR but I see your point, they do not have a lip to help center the wheel. I ordered the vorshlag bolts to help with the length. Maybe I should send back the spacers and use a thinner spacer (3mm?)in the front. If I do this, can I use a 235 in the front also with the wheel offset of +33? I want the car to sit low but would rather have properly centered wheels w/meaty tires over flush fitting and possible vibration at speed. Sorry for all the questions.

[Erick]

Orlando, E-Rich is pulling off 235/40/17s all around on 17x9s. It takes a bit of fender lovin', but it can be done.

[240zs30]

Orlando, E-Rich is pulling off 235/40/17s all around on 17x9s. It takes a bit of fender lovin', but it can be done.

Thanks Erick.

This is why I like this forum.
On the 9"s from what I've seen it makes it a little better since the tire stretches out slightly. I have a 7.5 which which from what I've read on this thread, makes the width a bit more of a issue. Fender lovin is at a minimum since I don't want to damage paint at this point.

[Erick]

Oh, also: he has IE Sway bars 25/22, which I'm sure help a lot on the matter. :p

[E30_fiend]

Without seeing and measuring how much space you made (as well as where), I can't say what will fit. For your purposes I say either trial and error, trial and modify more, or trial and get lucky. 225/45/16 is about the biggest I can see working without SERIOUS metal work at that offset.

I pushed the fenders out about 3/8 of an inch. There was contact with the fender and tire in the rear before and now there is a finger and a half. Shitty measurement but thats what I have noticed. I have all kinds of space now that I dont have the same shitty pro kit springs. Now I have the race kit from eibach. Mush more stiff and the distance is even further now.

So. . . .


E30_Fiend

[Mystikal]

Thank you Jay,

235's is really what I wanted all around. The spacers are HR but I see your point, they do not have a lip to help center the wheel. I ordered the vorshlag bolts to help with the length. Maybe I should send back the spacers and use a thinner spacer (3mm?)in the front. If I do this, can I use a 235 in the front also with the wheel offset of +33? I want the car to sit low but would rather have properly centered wheels w/meaty tires over flush fitting and possible vibration at speed. Sorry for all the questions.

Depending on the shape of the exact tire used, you may not even need a spacer at all for those wheels and 235/40/17 tires. And even if you run the 8mm, you won't have to roll the fenders. Not kidding.

I'd recommend keeping one pair of 8mm for now, and test fitting the wheels/tires without spacers. If they work, great, throw the 8mm on the rear and enjoy the huge grip. If not, run the 8mm on the front while you may have to wait for the 3mm spacers to arrive. You won't need any spacer on the rear, so this is a great temp solution.

[Mystikal]

I pushed the fenders out about 3/8 of an inch. There was contact with the fender and tire in the rear before and now there is a finger and a half. Shitty measurement but thats what I have noticed. I have all kinds of space now that I dont have the same shitty pro kit springs. Now I have the race kit from eibach. Mush more stiff and the distance is even further now.

So. . . .


E30_Fiend

Alright, so if (and only if) your 3/8" estimate is correct, a 225/45/16 should be no problem. It should clear by a few mm. But again, this is all banked on your measurement, so no guarantees from me. :p

[NOMAD]

I've got new 205/40/16 tires I never use from one of my other cars.

I have some 15x7 I was going to use on the E30 but looking at pics I think 16 may be a good size and at 7" the tires should work out right?

Then again, 15x8 would probably be better? I've always liked 15 for the gearing, tire availability and lightness over 16s.
Future autocross and track day use.

[Mystikal]

I've got new 205/40/16 tires I never use from one of my other cars.

I have some 15x7 I was going to use on the E30 but looking at pics I think 16 may be a good size and at 7" the tires should work out right?

Then again, 15x8 would probably be better? I've always liked 15 for the gearing, tire availability and lightness over 16s.
Future autocross and track day use.

7" is fine for 205/40, although I'd warn that unless the tire deals very well with heat, you may run into overheating during extended track sessions due to the small size.

One of my favourite setups is either Rota Slipstream, 15x8 or 16x8. If you keep the tires to 215 or under you won't even have to roll the fenders, and you get great reponse from the well-supported sidewalls. You could always just run the 16x8 with those tires for now and step up to a 215/45/16 later. Sure it's a pound or two heavier, but you won't feel it.

[240zs30]

Thanks. That is what I was hoping for. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[NOMAD]

So 205/40 has enough sidewall to work (till they are toast) on a 16x8? Hmmm, tempting.

[Mystikal]

So 205/40 has enough sidewall to work (till they are toast) on a 16x8? Hmmm, tempting.

Share what tires they are. Because if it's something like a Falken 512 then I wouldn't drive on them at 10/10ths, but if they're anything with a reasonable sidewall you'll be more than fine.

[E30_fiend]

Alright, so if (and only if) your 3/8" estimate is correct, a 225/45/16 should be no problem. It should clear by a few mm. But again, this is all banked on your measurement, so no guarantees from me. :p

I will go home tonight and get an exact measurement from sidewall to fender lip. Do you want me to take any other measurements? Is there anything else that would make the tire not fit?


E30_Fiend

[wagonizzle]

Jay,

Back in post #826 of this monster I was asking about 215/50/15 BFG Gsports for euroweaves. I have not purchased tires yet, but have been rolling on undersized 195/60/14's for the last 2 months and the increase in gearing and how the rear end comes around (not slides, just how it turns) has been better. So I was wondering about getting a set of 205/50/15 instead. Another thing is I think I will try to find a better three season tire for the RZ's, as I have three sets of wheels and want to do stickies and snows on the others for situational use, but run the RZ's most of the time. So what do you recommend at this point? I have a S3.73 fwiw. Thanks!

Jack