i know if i get some coil overs i could get 18 inch by 8 wheels to fit on my fiero , but would i be able to make a u turn ok or would i have to go with 18 by 8 in the back and 17 by 7 in the front
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03:27 PM
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Austrian Import Member
Posts: 3919 From: Monterey, CA Registered: Feb 2007
With the right offset. (+35 for pre '88's) they fit all the way around. Check the search and the archives for more info. in many cases no coilovers necesary.
The issue isn't whether they'll fit. It is more how they'll affect handling and power.
If you have the v6 you will notice a sharp loss of torque. Here is the reason. On the stock 14" wheel the circumference is about 71"
If you go to a 18 x 45 tire, your circumference goes up to 78". You need an 18 x 30 tire to get the same 71" circumference.
Most affordable tires are not in the 30 range so you would likely end up with 45's or even 50's. That is a 10% effective increase in your gear ratio at the road.
So, bigger wheels need bigger horsepower. Hope this helps.
Arn
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11:16 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
You can't physically mount anything over 28 inches and anything over 27.5" will rub.
a 30 series isn't going to cost that much more...in fact I doubt they make tires with high aspect ratios over 16 inches except for truck tires.
In other words drop the aspect ratio down to keep the same diameter/circumference and you'll be fine.
I wasn't talking diameter, I was talking circumference. If you are running a 300 hp Fiero you will not notice a larger circumference except with a bit more traction out of the hole. If you are running a 140 hp Fiero, that 10% increase in gearing at the road surface will show up alot. It is gear ratio I'm talking not fender well clearance.
On cost let's talk about the Fusion ZRi.
the 195/50R15 is worth about $62 USD. The smallest ratio they have on Tirerack for instance in the same tire in 18" is 35. The cost is $154.
You can call me cheap if you like, but the spread between a 15" tire and the 18" tire, tire for tire, gives my pocket book that "where did it go?" feeling.
Arn
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12:47 AM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I wasn't talking diameter, I was talking circumference
Arn
Yeah, but the two are related by a constant...you might have heard about it (Pi)
Circumference equals 3.141592654 x Diameter
You are talking theory and ignoring the facts...the size tires you are talking about don't exist and they wouldn't fit even if they did exist.
Try fitting a 10% bigger Diameter, (okay circumference it doesn't matter) on a Fiero without lifting it up like a 4 x 4 It's not going to happen.
There are about a million threads in the archive about tire size. The golden rule is to keep the outer dimensions as close as possible to stock and all is good. That's why I'm rolling 265/35-20s and they fit just fine.
{Edited for math error}
[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 05-05-2009).]
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02:23 AM
sjmaye Member
Posts: 2468 From: Hendersonville, TN USA Registered: Jun 2003
18" on a Fiero? All day long. These are a +38 offset. No rubbing at all with the 1988. Same wheels and tires on the 1987 has a tiny rub at full turn. Not bad at all.
[This message has been edited by sjmaye (edited 05-02-2009).]
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03:08 AM
Erik Member
Posts: 5627 From: Des Moines, Iowa Registered: Jul 2002
im running 235/50/18's on the rear and 225/45/18's on the front of a bone stock suspensioned 88, with a high output quad4 4cyl engine.
i have to say off the line torque sucks and im not sure if its the engine or the tires, but i dont burn the tires shifting to 2nd and third with the 18's and i did with stock 15s
matthew
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08:40 AM
May 3rd, 2009
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Who's car is that and what are the specs of the wheels and car??
That's my car, and it's running 265/35-20 on 8.5" x 20" wheels in the rear and 235/35-19 on 8" x 19" wheels on the front. Suspension is bone stock 88 suspension.
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03:37 AM
JumpStart Member
Posts: 1412 From: Central Florida Registered: Sep 2006
Weird... I asked the same question over a year ago, and everybody was happy about installing 18" rims. Now the consensus is, they don't work, or make the car slower. What a difference a year makes. I should go dig in the archive and see what other diverging opinions I'll find.
Also interesting that back then for 'pre 88's +35 seemed to be the preferred offset (to save wheel bearings, since it's near stock), and now it's +38.
is a speedo reduction gear available, that'll bring the speedo to read correctly again (with the right amount of teeth)? If so, where do I get it?
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02:35 PM
aeffertz Member
Posts: 798 From: Ladysmith, WI Registered: Feb 2009
I suppose I should chime in with my question. I have a 1985 Notchie, and plan on putting 19's in the back, and 18's in the front. What kind of wheel spacers will I need/where do I get them? Will I need coilover? What else should I know about this? Thanks.
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02:46 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I have a 1985 Notchie, and plan on putting 19's in the back, and 18's in the front. What kind of wheel spacers will I need/where do I get them? Will I need coilover? What else should I know about this? Thanks.
Your question is way too non-specific. I've said it at least three times that you can go with a 19 inch or even 20 inch wheel and not significantly increase the size of the tire/wheel assembly in which case it will mount on bone stock suspension.
Here's my suggestion.
a) determine the wheel design you like
b) determine what sizes the wheels come in, (18s and 19)
c) see if they come in the proper offsets to not stick out or hit the strut tower
d) compare overall diameter to stock based on commonly available tire sizes
e) if you can't get within 2% of stock go back to step a) and start over
[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 05-04-2009).]
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02:57 PM
aeffertz Member
Posts: 798 From: Ladysmith, WI Registered: Feb 2009
Originally posted by jscott1: Your question is way too non-specific. I've said it at least three times that you can go with a 19 inch or even 20 inch wheel and not significantly increase the size of the tire/wheel assembly in which case it will mount on bone stock suspension.
The front wheels are 18x8
The rear wheels are 19x11
Rear tire size is 315-25ZR-19
Front tire size is 235/35/18
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03:10 PM
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jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Alright, I punched all that into the calculator. The difference is 4.17%. That's too much of a difference, so what would I change to make it better? You said something about backspace--what's that?
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03:24 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
Would I be able to make a uturn okay or would I have to go with 18 by 8 in the back and 17 by 7 in the front
Many Fiero owners are using 17/18, 18/18, 18/19, and 18/20 combinations without any issues with turning. You need to make sure of the off-set and max front tires. Check out the "show me your rims" thread for examples. WARNING: Going beyond what has proven to work will result in a big headache and lost of revenue.
------------------
"I drive modified Fieros- anything less would be uncivilized."
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04:28 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
wow thanks guys for all the info. i think i will go 18 all around on my 88 gt. i like the look of the exel ennio in the hyper black color
Since you have a 1988 Fiero--- try and stagger the rim off-set (you won't be able to rotate your tires). A 38-40mm up front and 35mm for rear rims. The "key" is too have the front tires stucked in while the rears are flush with the lip of the fender. Some dealers do not allow you to mix your sets.
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04:34 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
The rear wheels are 19x11 & the Rear tire size is 315-25ZR-19
That rear combination (in any size over a 9" width) will not work on a non- wide body. At best, you can squeeze a 9.5" rear using a 275/30/19 using a custom made 3-piece rim.
Example: non wide body 1987 Fiero;
As you can see, a 11" rim will not fit (unless you want it sticking out on the sides).
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 05-04-2009).]
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04:39 PM
whodeanie Member
Posts: 3819 From: woodstock,Ga.,USA Registered: Jan 2008
my 19, 20 set from BonSpeed are lighter than the stock set. front wheel on the scale rear wheel on the scale OOPS! wrong pic. the rear was 28.8 lbs. and mounted on the car
[This message has been edited by whodeanie (edited 05-04-2009).]
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05:00 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Alright, I punched all that into the calculator. The difference is 4.17%. That's too much of a difference, so what would I change to make it better? You said something about backspace--what's that?
Backspace is the distance between the mounting surface and the back edge of the wheel. Too much backspace and the wheel is going to hit the struts. To push the wheel away from the strut you need negative offset. This is difficult to find wheels like that in 5 x 100 mm, which is why you see all the Custom HRE wheels.
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09:06 PM
aeffertz Member
Posts: 798 From: Ladysmith, WI Registered: Feb 2009
Right. That's why I'm ordering the V8 Archie notchie wide body kit.
I'm sorry if I over looked that point in the begining of the thread or title.
IMO it is best then to;
a. buy the Mad-Arch kit first. b. buy the rims second (ask those who have the kit and the same year Fiero) c. Mold the kit around the rims (provided you have upgraded your suspension).
Yeah, but the two are related by a constant...you might have heard about it (Pi)
Circumference equals 3.141592654 x Diameter squared divided by 4
You are talking theory and ignoring the facts...the size tires you are talking about don't exist and they wouldn't fit even if they did exist.
Try fitting a 10% bigger Diameter, (okay circumference it doesn't matter) on a Fiero without lifting it up like a 4 x 4 It's not going to happen.
There are about a million threads in the archive about tire size. The golden rule is to keep the outer dimensions as close as possible to stock and all is good. That's why I'm rolling 265/35-20s and they fit just fine.
pi*d^2/4=area not circumference.
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12:15 AM
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System Bot
blkpearl Member
Posts: 367 From: SanDog,CA,US Registered: Oct 2004
Am I the only one that thinks that the little rubber band appearance tires not only look silly, but also ruin the ride quality of the car.
I know, I know, the whole industry (or what's left of it) is going that way, but it isn't a performance driven trend it is all for appearance.
Is everyone else driven by looks, and doesn't care about ride quaity?? Believe me, running around in the equivalent of an ox cart with solid tires (in terms of compliance) gets old real fast, no matter how many bystanders may be looking (or laughing) at your really kool rims.
We did this sort of conversion on a MB and while the new rubber compounds do stick better than old and it handled well, it was a pain (literally) to drive for long.
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10:51 AM
whodeanie Member
Posts: 3819 From: woodstock,Ga.,USA Registered: Jan 2008
Are the stock 88 Rims really weigh more than 25 lbs? I thought they weighed 19 lbs or something like that.
the wheels that were on my car when I bought it were way heaver that the new wheels but they were not the stock ones. I will have to look into the weight of a stock wheel. if you are going to do a widebody kit you will want to use at least a 10" wide wheel on the rear. Curly anothers have used wider than thatup to I think 12" wide. my car is an 88 and this is what I used front 19 x 9 with 245 x 40 x 19 tires and stock offset for the rear 20 x 10 wheels with 285 x 30 x 20 tires with a 38mm offset in the wheels this fit just inside the lip of the widebody the way I wanted some others want them to stick out a little or flush. measure 2 times order once. if you want to get a price for some wheels from BonSpeed PM me and I will give you a quote I am a dealer for them. just let me know what size. D.
When I replaced my stock 88GT rims with 18" rims, I weighed both of them. I only weighed the wheels with the tires on them as I did not care to much about just the rim. The difference in the diameter in the rear did not scare me at all. I know that the torque would go down a little. The bigger killer is the moments of inertia change. By moving more of the weight of the wheel to the outer edge, the wheel becomes more like a ring which takes more to move.
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