Which would be better for auto-x? The 16x8s would have more traction, but the 17x7s would have a shorter and hense stiffer sidewall.

what tire?

I don't know, maybe Toyo T1S.

W I D E R is better.

why not 17x8?

why not 17x8?
more weight than 16 x 8

duh

Yes, more weight and more $$. A 16x8 slipstream is pretty light (~16 lbs) or a 17x7 5Zigen something, but beyond that you have to eitehr face big mass or big $$

Which class.

The class will help determine which tire you want.

If STX you should go with 17x8 it will allow you to stick a 245 tire on the rim.
You are limited by tire size in 16"

If Stock you have to stick with 16x6.5

If SP I'm not entirely sure but I'd go with the widest rim you can fit under the car.

In autocrossing you should choose the tire you want to run and then find a rim that can hold it. Not the other way around.

joe

I would think that in general one could say whether it would be better to have shorter sidewalls or a larger traction patch. Can anybody say that?

I would think that in general one could say whether it would be better to have shorter sidewalls or a larger traction patch. Can anybody say that?


In general the WRX being the BIG FAT car that it is needs as much traction patch as possible. However when you get to 245's and up you start running into tire height issues that one must take into consideration.

However the most important thing you need to answer is what class are you going to run in. Once you do that you will get a lot more definitive answers

joe

Just like Pontiac says- wider is better. Plenty of tires in the 245/45/16 sizing, also oem height and would fit a 16X8 nicely. 17X8 probably has more selection.

A wider rim effectively shortens/stiffens your sidewall, in addition to offering a slightly bigger contact patch- a general rule of thumb is 0.2" for every 0.5" increase in rim width.

Big Sky

Enkei has rp02-js that are 17x7.5 and about as light as the stockers. I think they're a good compromise.