[Mk2] [Generic] 17" Wheel size opinions. FINISHED!

[Turbo Dragon]

Ok after banging my head on the wall trying to figure out new wheels and tyres I would like some opinions on wheel sizes....

I currently am running 18x8 with 215/35 front and 245/40 rears and want to change to 17" rim.

I have been advised the ideal size for a 17" rim is as follows:

Front 17x7 ET32 PCD 5x114.3 with 215/40/17
Rear 17x8 ET38 PCD 5x114.3 with 235/40/17

Now, I know nothing about offsets etc. I have looked at the MR2 tyre guie and it made me cry.

My problem is finding a set of wheels I like in that size, I have fallen for the Ultralite Battle Mono.

But it is not available in those sizes, If I go for a 17x8 and 17x9 rim will it fit, what offset is needed and will it make a monkey of the handling compared to the original sizes?!

Thanks a lot to anyone who can unravel my headache!

Si

[Phill P]

I've just fitted 17x8 front 35et and 17x9 rear 35et with 215/40-17 front and 235/40-17 rears.

I find that the handling compared to my 16's is more stable and I prefere it.

Have gone for 30psi front and 34 rear.

Speedo is perfect and accurate although I would like 245/40-17 rears next time,more for look than grip.

link to pics at bottom of page http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic. ... 9&start=20

Paul

[Turbo Dragon]

Quick response, thanks!

Looking into it now but want to know other peoples opinions as well, would those tyre sizes not be a bit stretched on the wider rims compared to the original ones?

Also: Just checked the 17x9 Battles only come with an offset of ET27 apparently.

According to Gordeans calculator it will stick out 44mm further than stock on the rear....

Will an ET27 rear fit?

[Rahzel]

ET27 will fit with a Arch roll. I'm going to try 17x9+27 with a 255 and see how i go Will be intereting to see.

17x8+35 215/40/17
17x9+35 245/40.17

that will fit pretty much fine

[Turbo Dragon]

Arch rolling you say...... hmmmm

That could work although it might be easier for me to try and find some other wheels that I like instead

ET27 appears that it will stick out from the arches which I thought was an MOT failure?

[Rahzel]

I'm sure the calculator says that 9J+35 sticks out but there is still plenty of room.

Its a test I'm going to do. I offered them up to the car without tyre's and they looked bang on flush so a roll will be required but i didn't drop the car so couldn't see the camber.

I'm hoping the camber will just be enough to clear

[swampy]

also looking for wider wheels for my super gt build so wheels sticking out isnt a problem as i will put some wide arch on something like wood sport lite and simple.
but how will the front to back width effect things and apart from trial and expensive error how can the ultimate handling be worked out.
Also the extra width ie in offset will i believe help overall handling but please correct me if i am wrong, but surely upsetting the balance from front to back will.....how can this be worked out for driving at 10/10???

[JeffD]

This is calculator is the easiest IMO

http://mr2.gordaen.com/wt_calc.php

[swampy]

Awesome bit of tecnology....

Now i only wish it would tell me how much faster it would make me around Cadwell....................

[Turbo Dragon]

I have used that calculator and its really handy IF you have the ability to understand the picutres it makes

I *think* that is shows a rear 9" with et27 will be outside the arch

SO complicated, might just go back to tryin to find something that looks similar in the 7" and 8" stagger.....

So complicated

EDIT: Think iv found a solution..... 5zigen wheels do the 8/9 with et35 that looks similar to the Battle Mono but without the polished lip .....

SO if I were to go as previously suggested for
2x 17" - 8.0J - Titanium - 5H x 114.3 - +35
2x 17" - 9.0J - Titanium - 5H x 114.3 - +35

I should be fine

[JeffD]

Ignore the diagrams just keep an eye on the flushness text - quick ready reckononer for you.....

9" on rear +35 offset will be flush
increasing the offset makes the wheel sit further in so +45 will require a 10mm spacer to push it back out again - in effect making the offset +35 again.

Problems arise when you get an offset less than +35 because your wheel will protude beyond the bodywork, also going too high and your wheel/tyre may touch the suspension.

[Turbo Dragon]

Cool, thanks for help

I reckon play it safe and stick to et35....

Just fired off a PM to Envy Performance to see about IMOC discount

[Turbo Dragon]

Right.... im almost decided (honest! )

I now have to decide between the following:

7J Front 215 40 17 35et
8J Rear 235 40 17 35et

OR

8J Front 215 40 17 35et
9J Rear 245 40 17 35et

Apparently, according to the sales chap it is recommended to go for a 7 and 8 set up on MR2s.....

Any thoughts?

[craig]

9J rear with 255/40's!

May need arches rolling though with a 35 offset

Out of your 2 options though, I'd be going for 9J on the rear

[Turbo Dragon]

No No NO

Arch rolling is another headache I can do without........

245 on a 9j without the arch rolling?

Or play safe and stick to 8j rear?

[HighwayStar]

Go 7/8. The front will be flush and the rear 'tucked' in from flush by only 3mm. Less weight to accelerate (unless they're titanium or something... billet?), turn, stop and corner and no arch problems.
Ask for some piccies from peps with that combo and see what you think..

R.

[mrRobbo2]

im having my own personal battles with all things wheels aswell.

Sick of looking at the things lol.

in your case id go 7/8 as stated above. less work that way!

[Turbo Dragon]

Im thinking that 7/8 might be the way now to get the sharper handling....

I finally decided the rims I want.....

Just got to get the offsets right now

Thanks again

[HighwayStar]

38 front and rear. If you want to know where that will leave you.... The wheel face on both axles will be about 19.5mm further 'out' than oem whilst the centre lines (middle) of the new wheels sit only 7mm (45 oem ET-38 new ET = 7mm difference) further out than oem (closer is better). 7mm from the lower offset plus 12.5mm from half the extra wheel width (the other half inch protudes in towards the suspension of course) gives you the total of 19.5mm for the extra apparent width.

R

PS. You could perhaps consider an ET of 35 for rears... putting the centre of the wheel a further 3mm out from the hub face. A bit of extra rear track compared to front wont hurt and offset close to stock is less important on the rear as those wheels don't do the steering. Should still have 2/3mm of arch clearance... get the tape out.

PPS. My clearances were on 15's so you'll have a fraction less room on your 17s.

[dansREV2turbo]

just to throw a spanner in the works

10j et12