wheel width question??

Rock_Strongo · 10-13-2003, 08:07 PM

Hey,
I have an '02 WRX and I am going to be putting 17's on it with a 225/45 series tire. My question is, what are the advantages/disadvantages to using a 17x7 in wheel as opposed to a 17x7.5 in wheel?
I know I could use either one, I was just curious as to what to expect, performance wise.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

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suby_dude · 10-14-2003, 02:09 AM

17x7 or 17x7.5

the difference is obviously your 225 is either bubbling out just a ta'ad or just right.

i've used 225 and 235 on 7.5 rims.... and you do see the tired bubble out just a little bit on the 235 setup which i would expect to see if you had 225's on 7" wide rims.

imho 225 is optimum for 7.5" wheels.

sd
either way good luck

ripvw · 10-14-2003, 03:47 AM

According to Tire Rack and others, for every .5 inch increase in wheel width you gain .2 inches in section width, resulting in a wider contact patch and more dry gripping force. Whether or not you notice the extra grip will depend upon how agressively you like to drive.

Another issue is rubbing. With a sedan, if you get the typical 48mm offset 17x7.5 wheel and 225/45x17 tires, no problem, no rubbing unless you lower the car an extreme amount. But with a wagon, that same combination will likely rub if you lower the car at all. That's why lots of wagon owners who lower their car go with either an ET50 or higher offset wheel, a 17x7 design, or a 215/45x17 tire. Sometimes all three!

10-13-2003, 08:07 PM	#1
Rock_Strongo Scooby Specialist Member#: 38721 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Fubar'D is my Wordfeud Bitch! Vehicle: =-)	wheel width question?? Hey, I have an '02 WRX and I am going to be putting 17's on it with a 225/45 series tire. My question is, what are the advantages/disadvantages to using a 17x7 in wheel as opposed to a 17x7.5 in wheel? I know I could use either one, I was just curious as to what to expect, performance wise. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-14-2003, 02:09 AM	#2
suby_dude NASIOC Vendor Member#: 17397 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Fremont, CA Vehicle: many '02 Rex,'13 FRS WRB, White	17x7 or 17x7.5 the difference is obviously your 225 is either bubbling out just a ta'ad or just right. i've used 225 and 235 on 7.5 rims.... and you do see the tired bubble out just a little bit on the 235 setup which i would expect to see if you had 225's on 7" wide rims. imho 225 is optimum for 7.5" wheels. sd either way good luck

10-14-2003, 03:47 AM	#3
ripvw NASIOC Supporter Member#: 27790 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: E. Canada	According to Tire Rack and others, for every .5 inch increase in wheel width you gain .2 inches in section width, resulting in a wider contact patch and more dry gripping force. Whether or not you notice the extra grip will depend upon how agressively you like to drive. Another issue is rubbing. With a sedan, if you get the typical 48mm offset 17x7.5 wheel and 225/45x17 tires, no problem, no rubbing unless you lower the car an extreme amount. But with a wagon, that same combination will likely rub if you lower the car at all. That's why lots of wagon owners who lower their car go with either an ET50 or higher offset wheel, a 17x7 design, or a 215/45x17 tire. Sometimes all three!