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Old 02-20-2008, 04:01 PM   #1
fastenova
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Not your usual 1997
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Default Tire width on lowered BD Legacy; Rubbing?

I am looking at different 17" OE rims and considering buying a set for summer tires for my '97 GT Sedan. I've got the ION Performance lowering springs, which drop the front 1". I'm a little concerned about rubbing when going to a slightly wider tire. Anybody have any experience with this? What width are you running?

I'm thinking either 215/45R17 or 225/45R17 tires. I'd prefer for the 225s as it's closer to stock diameter, and obviously gives a slightly larger contact patch.

I'm leaning towards General Exclaim UHPs. From the reviews I've read on tirerack.com, they seem like a very good summer tire at a great price point ($73/tire). Any thoughts on these? I'm used to running all-season tires year-round, and have used Dunlop SP Sport 5000s and currently using Kumho Ecsta ASX. I've been pleased with both tires.

Thanks for any input!
Aaron
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Old 02-20-2008, 04:05 PM   #2
fastenova
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Default

I just wanted to post some useful information for anyone else looking at upsizing their wheels. The following chart is from http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html and is a comparison of different sizes when going from a 16" tire to a 17" tire.

Specification____Sidewall_____Radius_____Diameter_ __Circumference_____Revs/Mile___Difference
205/55-16_________4.4in_____12.4in_______24.9in__________ 78.2in__________811_______0.0%
215/45-17_________3.8in_____12.3in_______24.6in__________ 77.3in__________819______-1.0%
225/45-17_________4.0in_____12.5in_______25.0in__________ 78.5in__________808_______0.4%
205/50-17_________4.0in_____12.5in_______25.1in__________ 78.8in__________804_______0.8%
215/50-17_________4.2in_____12.7in_______25.5in__________ 80.0in__________792_______2.4%

Last edited by fastenova; 02-20-2008 at 04:12 PM.
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Old 02-20-2008, 04:55 PM   #3
subysouth
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If you are running near an ideal offset(+53-55mm) I think youre gonna be able to use the 225s. Thats not to severe a drop. Mine is dropped about 3/4" and Im on the 215/45s and feel certain it could take the 225s. I do have the fender lip trim removed though in the rears. The rears will be the problem BTW not the fronts.

ss
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Old 02-20-2008, 04:59 PM   #4
fastenova
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I don't understand why the rears would be the problem vs. the front? I am concerned about rubbing on the body/fender liner when turning on the front.

Should I be concerned about clearing the spring perch on the rear?

Thanks,
Aaron
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Old 02-20-2008, 05:10 PM   #5
subysouth
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fastenova View Post
I don't understand why the rears would be the problem vs. the front? I am concerned about rubbing on the body/fender liner when turning on the front.

Should I be concerned about clearing the spring perch on the rear?

Thanks,
Aaron
There is a lot more room at the front wheel arch opening. The common point of rubbing on BD/BG/BK chassis is the rear fender lip.

You should be concerned about it but there should be enough room. I know there would be on my car with even the +55 offset I am running. Higher offset moves the tire inward, lower outward.

Usually the rubbing occurs at the fender lip on a lowered BD/BG/BK running a 225 or wider on a +48 or lower offset wheel.

ss
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Old 02-20-2008, 05:12 PM   #6
subysouth
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And I should add I removed the fender lip trim when I was running a JDM STi suspension that dropped the car about 1.25" in the rear. Its no where near touching at the rear lip on this suspension(GR2s with JDM GT-B springs.)

ss
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Old 02-20-2008, 05:14 PM   #7
fastenova
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OK, good to know. I would be willing to roll the fender if that's what it takes.

So, now that the theoretical OK is there, anybody running this 225s or wider on their lowered Legacy?

SS, do you happen to know the offset for stock '07-08wrx wheels?
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Old 02-20-2008, 05:27 PM   #8
subysouth
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fastenova View Post
OK, good to know. I would be willing to roll the fender if that's what it takes.

So, now that the theoretical OK is there, anybody running this 225s or wider on their lowered Legacy?

SS, do you happen to know the offset for stock '07-08wrx wheels?
If you roll the fender you can fit even more in there.

Mine are the 06s and are +55mm, did the wheels change for 07? If so I am not sure but +55 is a good bet.

ss
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Old 02-20-2008, 05:36 PM   #9
subysouth
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Theres a pic of my car in this thread

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1445568

with the 17x7" +55m 06 WRX wheels with 215/45-17s. It looks like thats the same wheel the 07 WRXs use per Ebay. Dont know about the 08s. You can see the rear fender clearance fairly well.

ss
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Old 02-20-2008, 05:39 PM   #10
fastenova
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Quote:
Originally Posted by subysouth View Post
Theres a pic of my car in this thread

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1445568

with the 17x7" +55m 06 WRX wheels with 215/45-17s. It looks like thats the same wheel the 07 WRXs use per Ebay. Dont know about the 08s. You can see the rear fender clearance fairly well.

ssx
Sweet, looks good. Those are the rims I'm considering. How do you like them? I like the look of your wagon a lot. I'm also working on getting the JDM projectors, which I want to retrofit with HID projectors from another car. =]
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Old 02-20-2008, 06:23 PM   #11
subysouth
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fastenova View Post
Sweet, looks good. Those are the rims I'm considering. How do you like them? I like the look of your wagon a lot. I'm also working on getting the JDM projectors, which I want to retrofit with HID projectors from another car. =]
Theyre not the be all end all but theyre fairly light, easy to clean and most importantly the right offset. I think they look pretty good on the car too.

You know where I ran into trouble with the retrofit? Getting the case back together. I got it apart just fine but despite reheatings, clamps, etc. I couldnt get it to go back together correctly. I shelved it again.

ss
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Old 02-20-2008, 07:05 PM   #12
fastenova
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Quote:
Originally Posted by subysouth View Post
You know where I ran into trouble with the retrofit? Getting the case back together. I got it apart just fine but despite reheatings, clamps, etc. I couldnt get it to go back together correctly. I shelved it again.
Just to hijack my own thread, what projectors did you use? Ballasts? Mind giving me an idea of what they cost? I'm leaning toward the bi-xenon projectors used in a lot of BMWs, as I understand that the solenoid 'lump' for the shutter is smaller than on other bi-xenons, allowing for easier installation in the headlight housing. I know it's gonna be a couple month project, but since I've been living with the crappy OE lights for 6 years I don't mind.
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Old 02-20-2008, 07:41 PM   #13
subysouth
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fastenova View Post
Just to hijack my own thread, what projectors did you use? Ballasts? Mind giving me an idea of what they cost? I'm leaning toward the bi-xenon projectors used in a lot of BMWs, as I understand that the solenoid 'lump' for the shutter is smaller than on other bi-xenons, allowing for easier installation in the headlight housing. I know it's gonna be a couple month project, but since I've been living with the crappy OE lights for 6 years I don't mind.
Mine are IIRC Hella bi-xenons like those found in some of the late model BMWs. Mine actually came from an Audi RS6 IIRC. I bought the complete headlight assemblies and ballasts. The housings will fit and if you cannibalize the JDM projector housing you can maintain the aiming too.

ss
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Old 02-21-2008, 10:10 AM   #14
aross
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fastenova View Post
OK, good to know. I would be willing to roll the fender if that's what it takes.

So, now that the theoretical OK is there, anybody running this 225s or wider on their lowered Legacy?

SS, do you happen to know the offset for stock '07-08wrx wheels?
I run a wide - Azenis 215 - at 225/45/17, on a +48X8 wheel on my Legacy Wagon. I needed to roll the rear fender, and no issues after that.

Car is lowered slightly.
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