Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Tuesday March 19, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
Click here to visit TireRack
Tire & Wheel Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack

Losing traction? Need new tires?
Click here to visit the NASIOC Upgrade Garage...
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Tire & Wheel

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-12-2005, 05:52 PM   #1
scoobtothenoog
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 92154
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Lower Alabama
Vehicle:
04 STi
SIL/SIL

Default Do I really need an 8" wheel?

I'm going to be running 225-45-17's. Do I really need the extra .5 inche up from the 7.5? I was looking and the 8"ers are about a half pound to a pound heavier in a rota. is the extra weight worth it? Will the same size tire look wider with on the wider rim?

....yep shoot the nood
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
scoobtothenoog is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 08-12-2005, 06:09 PM   #2
substar
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 84548
Join Date: Apr 2005
Vehicle:
MY98 Impreza 555 GTT
Mica Cobalt

Default

The angle of the wall of the tire will be flatter, little bit German like...
Better you'll try 235/45/17 (I'm running on 235/35/19)
The extra .5" width will give more grip, I think its worth it !!!
substar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2005, 06:20 PM   #3
Master2192
RIP 10/12/83 to 02/10/08
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 83254
Join Date: Mar 2005
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Roy, Washington
Vehicle:
98 2.5 RS
04 WRX

Default

You'd be more likely to scuff up the rim if you ever have a run in with a curb. Grip is from the tire not the rim so it shouldn't make that big of a difference. It will have a different feel in the corners though (maybe slightly more tire roll)

I like the extra peice of mind that the extra sidewall without that .5" will make sure the rim doesn't touch curbs.
Master2192 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2005, 06:46 PM   #4
SeattleWRX
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 10350
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Vehicle:
02 WRX Sedan
WRB

Default

I am running 225/45/17 on a 8" rim. Originally i wanted to run wider tires, but didn't wan the hassle of rubbing, if any. I may not be optimizing my wheel width, but I love the fitment of my wheels. very agressive looking, and I park carefully.
SeattleWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2005, 07:20 PM   #5
REX8
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 24038
Join Date: Sep 2002
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Godspeed Cale...
Default

No, you absolutely don't need an 8". Even a 7" is going to be fine. Heck, the right 225 tire on a 6.5" is fine.
REX8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2005, 10:57 PM   #6
scoobtothenoog
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 92154
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Lower Alabama
Vehicle:
04 STi
SIL/SIL

Default

so is the 225 45 17 going to look like it was stretched on the 8" wheel?
scoobtothenoog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 12:07 AM   #7
nate49509
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 22452
Join Date: Aug 2002
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Vehicle:
2018 STi
WRB

Default

8 inches is overkill for a 225 tire. A 235 or 245 should at least be used. It will look stretched.
nate49509 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 12:18 AM   #8
nate49509
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 22452
Join Date: Aug 2002
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Vehicle:
2018 STi
WRB

Default

Found this pic of a 235 tire on 8" torque. I think the 235 looks good, but a 225 tire would be even more stretched.

nate49509 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 12:20 AM   #9
scoobtothenoog
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 92154
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Lower Alabama
Vehicle:
04 STi
SIL/SIL

Default

hmm... so what would the down side of running the 235-40 instead be? rougher ride? easier to bend the rim?

---------->nooby with to many questions lol
scoobtothenoog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 12:34 AM   #10
nate49509
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 22452
Join Date: Aug 2002
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Vehicle:
2018 STi
WRB

Default

I sure the ride will be similar to a 225 wide tire. But one thing to keep in mind is the gearing. A 235/40-17 is 1.9% smaller than the OE 205/55-16. So in effect shorting your gearing. A 245/40-17 and 225/45-17 are the best options. 215/45-17 is close too.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
nate49509 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 12:46 AM   #11
scoobtothenoog
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 92154
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Lower Alabama
Vehicle:
04 STi
SIL/SIL

Default

form what I've read though a 245-40 will rub on a sedan correct?
scoobtothenoog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 12:50 AM   #12
ripvw
NASIOC Supporter
 
Member#: 27790
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by scoobtothenoog
I'm going to be running 225-45-17's. Do I really need the extra .5 inche up from the 7.5?
do you need it - how agressively do you drive? each .5" increase in wheel width translates to .2" increase in section width, which affects contact patch width for better dry cornering. you will maximize the performance of your 225/45x17 tires - which is a good thing.

on the other hand, with a 17x8 wheel you can move up to a 235/40x17 tire. This tire is wider than an equivalent 225/45x17 for better dry cornering, typically weighs less because of the shorter sidewall, has less tire squirm and will handle transients better than the taller tire, and has the side benefit of being 2% underdriven compared to the 225/45x17 and the stock 205/55x16 tires. this will give you quicker acceleration in all gears and screw up your speedometer a little bit - you can see how much here:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Quote:
Originally Posted by scoobtothenoog
I was looking and the 8"ers are about a half pound to a pound heavier in a rota. is the extra weight worth it?
you must be joking? you think your butt dyno can feel the difference in 1lb per corner? you'd be lucky if you could feel a 5lb per corner difference as weight. feel different - yeah. feel heavier - no way! 1lb per corner will make absolutely no difference in acceleration - 5lbs per corner may cost you .05 to .1 second in the 1/4 mile.

if you're worried about it - get the 235/40x17's - the 2% gearing advantage will swamp even a 10lb per corner difference - and remember, 235/40x17's are often a pound or so lighter than the equivalent 225/45x17 - so you may not gain any weight in the process of moving to 17x8

Quote:
Originally Posted by scoobtothenoog
Will the same size tire look wider with on the wider rim?
yes - I think that's cool. by the way, I have no idea what any of you mean by "stretched" or "pinched" - wider wheels simply allow the tire to perform better in the dry - if you think it looks stretched so be it. stuffing the widest tires possible that will safely fit on the wheel will also improve handling, i.e. 225/50x16 on the stock 16x6.5 wheels. if you think that looks pinched and are more concerned with looks than performance - I can't relate. sorry - I just don't give a damn.

how a wheel looks - sure, that's important. how heavy the wheel is - sure, if you can afford lighter forged wheels go for it - I'd buy 'em if I could spend the bucks. how the sidewall looks, pinched and stretched, how the tread looks - give me a break. how heavy the tire is - typically lighter tires sacrifice sidewall stiffness. that's important to some people - like me. I don't care how much the tires weigh. tires are all about grip. PERIOD.

Quote:
Originally Posted by scoobtothenoog
....yep shoot the nood
bang, bang - you're dead...
ripvw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 01:01 AM   #13
nate49509
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 22452
Join Date: Aug 2002
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Vehicle:
2018 STi
WRB

Default

/\/\/\ Did you even read any of the other posts? You even posted the same like as me.
nate49509 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 01:23 AM   #14
ripvw
NASIOC Supporter
 
Member#: 27790
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by nate49509
/\/\/\ Did you even read any of the other posts? You even posted the same like as me.
moi? post like you?

Quote:
Originally Posted by nate49509
8 inches is overkill for a 225 tire. A 235 or 245 should at least be used. It will look stretched.
your reasoning for going with 235 - you didn't specify here which size tire - was because 225/45x17 would look stretched. I posted that looks don't matter - performance does.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nate49509
Found this pic of a 235 tire on 8" torque. I think the 235 looks good, but a 225 tire would be even more stretched.
more of the same focus on the stretched look with pics. still no definitive tire size given for 235

Quote:
Originally Posted by nate49509
I sure the ride will be similar to a 225 wide tire. But one thing to keep in mind is the gearing. A 235/40-17 is 1.9% smaller than the OE 205/55-16. So in effect shorting your gearing. A 245/40-17 and 225/45-17 are the best options. 215/45-17 is close too.
you finally list the tire sizes in detail, but then recommend against the 235/40x17 size, while I spoke out in favor of it and gave performance reasons. to me, the 2% underdriven nature of the 235/40x17 is a performance advantage, while you seem more concerned about speedometer error. and by the way, a 245/40x17 works much better on 17x8.5

so do you think I just waited until you posted a few more messages and then very quickly typed up my "copy" of your recommendations? take a look at the post times - I was writing while you were posting - I never saw your other posts until I was done. of course, it's easier and quicker to post like you, i.e. with no regard for the English language

and if you think we're saying the same thing - think again...
ripvw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 01:57 AM   #15
scoobtothenoog
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 92154
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Lower Alabama
Vehicle:
04 STi
SIL/SIL

Default

Thanks for all the info guys but lets keep it cival

My bigger concern with the 235-40 would be the shorter sidewall. While I dont mind the speedo being off a smidge, and the slight drop in gearing is good too. Not to mention more rubber on the road. I was more concered with the ride getting rougher, and have also heard reference (on this board) to how easily wheels bend being directly related to sidewall height.

Just tryin to make the best decision. I do drive pretty agressively
scoobtothenoog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 07:05 AM   #16
substar
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 84548
Join Date: Apr 2005
Vehicle:
MY98 Impreza 555 GTT
Mica Cobalt

Default

I would still go for the 235/40/18. And in case of rubbing just widen your
wheel arce, its cost about $150 for the whole car... You can buy the best
performance parts, but if you road contact isnt optimal, its wasted.
substar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2005, 11:04 AM   #17
scoobtothenoog
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 92154
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Lower Alabama
Vehicle:
04 STi
SIL/SIL

Default

substar, we've been talkin about 17's
scoobtothenoog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2005, 01:59 AM   #18
lettucemanatee
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 32493
Join Date: Feb 2003
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: LSU
Vehicle:
2002 Impreza WRX
rock chipped blue

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by REX8
No, you absolutely don't need an 8". Even a 7" is going to be fine. Heck, the right 225 tire on a 6.5" is fine.
i fit 225/50/16 es100's on my stock wheels and a friend fit 225/50/16 kuhmo mx's on his.

i honestly like the look of more rubber on a wheel than a wheel stretched to keep bead.
lettucemanatee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2005, 11:16 AM   #19
BoostinEJ20
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 73710
Join Date: Nov 2004
Default

arent stock 05 sti wheels 17X8 and they run a 225/45/17 correct me if im wrong
BoostinEJ20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2005, 11:32 AM   #20
Jon Bogert
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 1133
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: SE PA
Vehicle:
09 GTR, 02 996 C4S
95 993 C4, 71 911, 04 STI

Default

Quote:
Found this pic of a 235 tire on 8" torque.
I guarantee that no 235 tire on the planet is supposed to be stretched like that on an 8 wheel. Looks more like a 205.

Here is what a 235 is supposed to look like (and in 99% of cases, will look like) on an 8" rim. Perfect fit, not stretched, just enough sidewall bulge so you won't curb your wheel, but plenty of sidewall support.

Jon Bogert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2005, 11:40 AM   #21
Valhakar
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 39514
Join Date: Jul 2003
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Avondale, AZ
Vehicle:
2003 WRX 2.5L Hybrid
Mostly Blue

Default

I just switched from 225/50 rubber on the stock wheel to 225/45-17 on 17x8.5 wheels. The tires came with the wheels. After only one AutoX, the car is much more stable, turn in is improved, and traction is much easier to modulate in hard corners.

Stock wheels with 225/50-16:



5Zigen Pro Racer GN+ 17x8.5 with 225/45-17:








Valhakar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2005, 11:46 AM   #22
Jon Bogert
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 1133
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: SE PA
Vehicle:
09 GTR, 02 996 C4S
95 993 C4, 71 911, 04 STI

Default

Hmm. Those are Hankooks. The tires in the first pic are Hankooks.

Maybe Hankook's marketing plan is putting big numbers on narrow tires???
Jon Bogert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2005, 11:49 AM   #23
Valhakar
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 39514
Join Date: Jul 2003
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Avondale, AZ
Vehicle:
2003 WRX 2.5L Hybrid
Mostly Blue

Default

16 x 6.5 inch wheel ( first pic) Toyo Proxies 4 225/50-16

17 x 8.5 inch wheel ( second pic) Hankook Ventus HRII 405 XLs 225/45-17
Valhakar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2005, 12:58 PM   #24
FNR32
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 84147
Join Date: Mar 2005
Chapter/Region: South East
Vehicle:
14 JGC SRT
Black

Default

Let me get something cleared up before i make a post about it and get flammed.

What tire sizes above the 225 will fit on the wrx and NOT rub? Im looking to go with a 17X8 wheel and i was wanting the widest contact path i could get.
FNR32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2005, 01:09 PM   #25
Valhakar
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 39514
Join Date: Jul 2003
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Avondale, AZ
Vehicle:
2003 WRX 2.5L Hybrid
Mostly Blue

Default

Waggon or Sedan?

Suspension drop and geometry?

Alignment specs?

Brand of tire?

Size of wheel its being mounted on?

All of these are part of the "simple" answer you want.
Valhakar is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Do I really NEED an STi? Padge Mid Atlantic Impreza Club -- MAIC 23 03-29-2009 02:09 PM
Do I really need an O2 socket for my uppipe? WRXislander Newbies & FAQs 27 09-28-2007 12:40 AM
Do I really need an EGT and oil pressure gauge? hella_sti Interior & Exterior Modification 12 04-09-2007 10:18 PM
car just lowered, do i really need an alignment? BlowDro Brakes, Steering & Suspension 20 09-19-2006 09:21 PM
Changing springs... do i really need an impact wrench? leocookie Brakes, Steering & Suspension 3 09-16-2004 10:51 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:43 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.