Downside to going +1 on tire width/height?

Ok, still trying to kill my stock RE92s...they just won't perish.

Wondering if there are any downsides to running 235/50/17s on my STi BBSs? My thought is moar grip, better ride quality (too many miles on too many crappy roads) and infinitesimal improvements in fender gap and rpms at highway cruising speeds.

I will be running Crucial Racing springs whenever they finally show up. I don't *think* I should have any clearance issues but then again I'm often wrong in such matters.

Thanks in advance,

Sean

 

Don't you want a 235/45-17?

50's are too high.

 

225/45/17 are the stock fitment for the rimz. I'm running 215/45/17 RE92s right now...a lil' stretched.

 

Get something closer to the stock size. 225/45's would probably be the best for the wagon.

 

Simmer down Mssr. 245!

 

I'll probably be doing 245/40's for my next set. I know the wagon's typically have more problems with wheel size, though.

 

A 235/45 is going to be both wider and taller than a 215/45. A 235/50 would be huge. (almost 2 inches more in diameter)

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

 

Thanks for the link. I understand the difference in height/width my question remains what are the potential downsides other than clearance?

 

Compared to your current tires, your effective gearing would be nearly 7% higher, with a corresponding loss in acceleration. Fuel mileage might get better though, since you'd be running at lower RPMs at any given speed. Your speedo would also say 60mph when you were really doing 66.7mph.

Forgot to add that you'd probably be adding significant rotating mass to the outside edge of the wheel/tire combo too, which would further reduce acceleration.

 

Duly noted.

I don't know the incremental weight difference...plenty of people run piggish rims with OE-sized tires. I understand the distribution would be different...just don't know if it it would be material enough to notice any difference other than the impact of the larger diameter.

Acceleration? I have plenty of powerz thanks to Nate and Dan. 3rd gear would go to >100mph. Frumrolz that.:biggrin:

This car sees >20k of highway miles (75mph+ cruising) per annum...moar mpg would not be bad. It is not tracked, dragged or Auto/RallyX'd.

 

Then do it. It will make things more comfy for cruising and such. You're going to lose a bit of torque but for your given application that shouldn't matter too much.

Why don't you use some bigger 16" tires on your stock rims instead of using those glorious BBS's to hold cruising tires. 16" tires are WAY cheaper than 17".

Oh wait. You have 4-pots don't you. Never mind.

 

Then buy some RS 5 or 6 spokes. They clear 4/2pots.

 

You, sir, are a genius.

 

I know this. But thank you for str0king my............ ego.