HELP 235/40/17 Tires on stock 04 STI rims

fastXT04 · 07-18-2005, 11:11 PM

can i fit 235/40/17's on stock sti rims? the 17 by 7.5 04 bbs wheels? would that tire size fit safely and provide any peformance gain?

please let me know soon i am ordering some new tires

ripvw · 07-19-2005, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastXT04

can i fit 235/40/17's on stock sti rims? the 17 by 7.5 04 bbs wheels? would that tire size fit safely

every tire manufacturer recommends a minimum of 17x8 wheel size for the 235/40x17. having said that - lots of people on this board are running them on 17x7.5 including our own lovable guru Uncle Scotty. Is it safe - your call. If you're worried about it, call an insurance company (not yours) and ask them if they will still insure the car if you have an accident and they find out you're running a "non-approved" wheel/tire combo. they'll probably say "no".

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastXT04

...provide any peformance gain?

on that size wheel, the 235/40x17 tire will be a bit wider than the 225/45x17 and have a lower profile for better dry grip - probably a little worse in the rain. even more important for some people is the fact that the 235/40x17 size is smaller in diameter than the 225/45x17 size - it is "underdriven" by 2% and that gives you a favorable gearing advantage through all gears for quicker acceleration.

finally, the 235/40x17 size is often a pound or two lighter than the equivalent 225/45x17 tire.

rankink · 07-19-2005, 06:51 AM

235/40-17 will be fine on that rim. It will be a bit shorter though than the stock size. The speedo on the STi's are already too fast with the stock tires, that size will make it a bit slower. The 235 tire might be a pound lighter in some cases, but it is a pound heavier in others. Not enough to make a difference. There will be no difference in performance in the rain as well for that little a difference. Never known of anyone having insurance problem with larger tires either.

fastXT04 · 07-19-2005, 07:22 AM

thanks alot for your help so this is not recommended except maybe to look a little cooler meaning wider which is really why i want to do it

rankink · 07-19-2005, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastXT04

thanks alot for your help so this is not recommended except maybe to look a little cooler meaning wider which is really why i want to do it

Will be a bit wider, and like I said you will not have a problem. I run 255/40's on my 8 inch wide wheel with no problems.

ripvw · 07-19-2005, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastXT04

thanks alot for your help so this is not recommended except maybe to look a little cooler meaning wider which is really why i want to do it

no, it's really a performance mod - better handling in the dry, quicker acceleration - which is why people are willing to "risk" doing it with smaller than recommended wheels.

but it does look cooler...

Uncle Scotty · 07-19-2005, 11:09 AM

.....d00d.....on an STi, you should go with a slightly TALLER tire to get a bit more gear out of it....THAT would be choice for an STi......the WRX needs a bit of help the OTHER way, gearing wise.....and I'm really diggin' the slightly smaller tire, on the WRX, as far as that goes

I'd do a 235/45 on an '04 STi wheel...

rankink · 07-19-2005, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty

.....d00d.....on an STi, you should go with a slightly TALLER tire to get a bit more gear out of it....THAT would be choice for an STi......the WRX needs a bit of help the OTHER way, gearing wise.....and I'm really diggin' the slightly smaller tire, on the WRX, as far as that goes

I'd do a 235/45 on an '04 STi wheel...

Agreed. My next street tire for my 05 STi will be a 235/45, which will help with the gearing and the speedo. I believe that is the stock size the JDM models have on them.

ripvw · 07-19-2005, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty

.....d00d.....on an STi, you should go with a slightly TALLER tire to get a bit more gear out of it....THAT would be choice for an STi......I'd do a 235/45 on an '04 STi wheel...

Hey Scotty, I understand the gearing argument for the STI when autocrossed, but does it really apply to a street driven car? I'm sure you've got more experience driving STI's than I do (one quick run in a dealer car), but it seems to me that for the street underdriven is always a good idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rankink

..I believe that is the stock size the JDM models have on them.

showing 225/45x17 for the "global" 2.0L STI:

http://www.subaru-global.com/lineup/...eet/index.html

07-18-2005, 11:11 PM	#1
fastXT04 Scooby Newbie Member#: 78663 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: bethesda md/ fredericksburg va Vehicle: 04 WRX STi WRB	HELP 235/40/17 Tires on stock 04 STI rims can i fit 235/40/17's on stock sti rims? the 17 by 7.5 04 bbs wheels? would that tire size fit safely and provide any peformance gain? please let me know soon i am ordering some new tires

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07-19-2005, 06:51 AM	#3
rankink Scooby Specialist Member#: 12901 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Miami Springs, FL Vehicle: 2005 STi/95 VX Pastelito Racing / SFSOC	235/40-17 will be fine on that rim. It will be a bit shorter though than the stock size. The speedo on the STi's are already too fast with the stock tires, that size will make it a bit slower. The 235 tire might be a pound lighter in some cases, but it is a pound heavier in others. Not enough to make a difference. There will be no difference in performance in the rain as well for that little a difference. Never known of anyone having insurance problem with larger tires either.

07-19-2005, 07:22 AM	#4
fastXT04 Scooby Newbie Member#: 78663 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: bethesda md/ fredericksburg va Vehicle: 04 WRX STi WRB	thanks alot for your help so this is not recommended except maybe to look a little cooler meaning wider which is really why i want to do it

07-19-2005, 11:09 AM	#7
Uncle Scotty NASIOC Supporter Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: OK Houston we have an Uncle	.....d00d.....on an STi, you should go with a slightly TALLER tire to get a bit more gear out of it....THAT would be choice for an STi......the WRX needs a bit of help the OTHER way, gearing wise.....and I'm really diggin' the slightly smaller tire, on the WRX, as far as that goes I'd do a 235/45 on an '04 STi wheel...