17x8 on a BD

[Baddog]

I saw the sticky about the offset and all that but that is on the newer impreza/Legacy's. Which have a bigger wheel base AFAIK.

I am running WRX struts with STI springs. Not much lower then stock. Maybe 3/4" of an inch.

Looking to run a 17x8 with a +48 offset. What kind of problems would I have?

[Huffer]

Rear tire will rub on rear strut, depending on tire size and profile...

[Baddog]

I may just look for a 17x7.5 then. The rim I like only comes in a 17x7 or 8. No 7.5. What size tire could fit on the 17x8 and possibly not rub?

[Perdue]

Will the tire still rub on a WRX strut? I would think that a 215 on the proper offset would be fine, but IIRC, a 215/45 is the smallest you can run on a 17x8 (technically). I ran 215/40-17s on a 17x7 et48 before with no problems on Legacy GR2s with no problem, but rubbed the fender lip with the same size on a 17x7 et42, but it could have been resolved with a fender roller.

[chromehorn]

Will the tire still rub on a WRX strut? I would think that a 215 on the proper offset would be fine, but IIRC, a 215/45 is the smallest you can run on a 17x8 (technically). I ran 215/40-17s on a 17x7 et48 before with no problems on Legacy GR2s with no problem, but rubbed the fender lip with the same size on a 17x7 et42, but it could have been resolved with a fender roller.

As dumb as it sounds. Tire sizes are different from brand to brand. Falken 512s are notoriously smaller than other tires of the "same" size.

Also 205/40s are within spec for an 8inch wide rim.

But I'll be running 205/40s on 17x8 and 17x9s (with a 22 offset). So, I may be the wrong guy to recommend safe tire sizes, lol.

[Perdue]

From what I have been seeing from manufacturers and even tire rack, the widest wheel you should mount a 205 on is a 7.5" wheel...they seemed narrow on my 17x7s before, so I would he afraid to run them on an 8" wheel, much less a 9"...then again, I'm not big in this aggressive fitment movement. :grin:

[Huffer]

Nah, you can run a 215 on a 7" wide wheel. 215/45 R17 on a 17x7.

[Baddog]

WOuldn't a 225 fit on a 17x7?

[httrdd]

Yep. They look nice and meaty too. I am runnning 225/45/17s right now on a 17x7. A 215 will look way too stretched on a 17x8 rim. Why not roll them and just run a 235. What a waste of a bigger rim. When I go wide body I am running a 8 or 8.5 with a 235 or 245.

[Huffer]

225 width on a 7" wheel can look a little tractorish. If you want the sidewall to be flush with the rim lip, you should stick with a 215 width. Some 205s fill the space pretty well too, but they usually have a "rim protector" lip on the tread.

Seriously though, the amount of "grip" that's increased by a few millimeters of contact patch (static, by the way) is not really worth the additional expense that you could utilise better by simply using tires with a grippier compound. For example - on a summer setup, I will gladly take some sticky 205/50 R17 tires over some mid-range 215/45 R17 tires. Yes I lose a little contact patch, but the increased grip value from the better (specialized) tire means I gain grip/cornering ability over the ENTIRE contact patch. It's a win.

[Baddog]

I get the 225's CHEAPER then the 215's. Not sure why they are slightly cheaper but they are. Going with an all season and a 17x7. Not a 17x8 anymore.

[Okin DaVanh]

Hmmm.... I was thinking 17x8 also, but with a 215/40. However, I have a roller and I'm not afraid to use it.

[httrdd]

205s on a 17x8 would look way too stretched. My buddy has 17x8s with 215s and the look stretched. My 225s look very meaty, but not a lot of hangover.

[chromehorn]

205s on a 17x8 would look way too stretched. My buddy has 17x8s with 215s and the look stretched. My 225s look very meaty, but not a lot of hangover.

I guess people have different definitions of stretch. I always thought a 205 40 and on 8 was conservative. I wanted a 195 40 on a 17x9 :smt017 . Turns out Falken does not make those in a 512 tire.

[Baddog]

205s on a 17x8 would look way too stretched. My buddy has 17x8s with 215s and the look stretched. My 225s look very meaty, but not a lot of hangover.

Do you have a pic handy for me?

[httrdd]

Yea i can get one tomorrow of mine.

[Baddog]

Awesome thanks

[Bookem]

What's the diameter on those wrx struts? But yeah tires will probably rub on the struts unless you stretch a 215 on there. I have 235/40 on 17x8's but my offset is 40 and I only have the thickness of a piece of cardboard for a gap between tires and KYB strut.

[Baddog]

I keep saying this over and over again. I am going to just run a 17x7 with a 225/45.

[httrdd]

Pics did not happen unless you wanted a white rim and tire today. Lol. This snow should he gone tomorrow.

[Baddog]

Damn lol

[httrdd]

Dirty and salty, but you get the idea.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/10/20111030_163626_184-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/10/20111030_163644_153-1.jpg

[Baddog]

I like it. Going to get my setup on Friday!

[Baddog]

Had to have all 4 fenders rolled. But I am happy with them.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/11/IMG00239201111131540-1.jpg

[Okin DaVanh]

Had to have all 4 fenders rolled. But I am happy with them.


:smt017 Really????

Those are +48 right?

[Perdue]

Probably because of the 225 tire. They look awesome...I had the same wheels on my first bd and loved them.

[httrdd]

Yep anything in a 225 tire no matter how wide the rim will have to be rolled. Unless you add flares. Lol.

[Perdue]

From what I can see (on my phone), it looks pretty awesome with a more meaty tire on there.

[httrdd]

^ Yes it does. Especially from the back.