I think the answer is that all will be fine but wanted to check. Someone on Craigslist has some tsw thruxton wheels. They are 18x8. I asked about offset and he couldn't see anything listed on the back of the wheels. I believe the stock 15 great wheels are 7.5 inches wide, right?
Would these fit without rubbing? He's got 225 40 r 18 tires on them currently. Like I said, I think I'd be alright just wanted to check with someone smarter than myself
The way the will fit will really depends on the offset. Since they aren't marked with the offset on the wheel, ask him to measure the backspacing for you and you should be able to figure out the offset from that.
Backspace is measured like this, ruler from the back of the surface that mounts to the hub to a straight edge that's laid across the barrel of the wheel.
I'd say you are OK on the rear, but the fronts will be borderline, possible rub outer tire edge to fender liner/fender lip zone 12 o'clock high on hard braking, or cornering.
[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 08-10-2015).]
I had 40's on mine for a very, very short time, I hated them, you felt every little defect in the road constantly. I like a very firm ride, but there were torture. I pulled them off and went with 45's, for autocross or track just bump the psi up a couple pounds. Also it's the tire compound that gives you traction, not so much the width. The short sidewall of the 40's also bothered me for Michigan roads, you can take a wheel out fairly easy with our chuck holes.
[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 08-10-2015).]
Hmm. Ok maybe I'll pass on this set and keep my eyes open. Cornering is the big draw for wider tires and low profiles.
Like I said above, these wheels will not rub! Unless your car is an 88 then I'm not sure. I had the same size wheels with the same size tires on my 87 before and after I lowered it. They didn't rub at all, not ever, not even a little. Having your studs extended depends on the thickness of the new wheel but should be fine if spacers aren't being used.
That's a good point Cali Kid, our potholes might demand 45 series just to keep from bending rims. Ok, maybe I'll keep my eye out for some 17s then, so that the wheel size doesn't get too far off. Mine's not a daily driver, but it also seems that with kids now basically the only free time to drive it is to work. And there's a lot of construction going on.
Ok I passed on the 18s and found some 17s. 40mm offset, he's got 215 50s on them now. I'd change to 225 45 when I wear through them. I emailed him about width, he's gonna check. He thinks they're 7.5.
Got the wheels on and its back on the ground. Fronts seemed fine on clearance. Rears have about 3/4 of a pinky width between the tire and the suspension.
Just so they clear is enough, you dont need much wiggle room. I had 8" rims on one of mine and the inside of the tire was maybe 1/8" from the suspension and it never touched. Like mentioned though, it also depends on how the tire sidewall bulges. You want the tread width to match the rim width, no wider or narrower.
[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 08-27-2015).]
