Staggered Width.... Problems?

[DOOK]

What is your opinion/knowledge on running staggered width setups with the 5MT setup? Obviously different diameters are out, but what about a 8 front 9 rear setup? I've noticed the rear wells on my BH will accept a larger more aggressive setup and I'd like to utilize that and get a staggered VS-XX setup. Thoughts? I'm thinking probably 8 +35 9+35. I've been able to find two sets, one in 17 and one in 18, both 5x114.3 with 8/9 +50 offset. I'd be running the 15mm kics adapters with them for the +35... anyways, fitment I'm going for isn't important, it's whether or not running staggered width is OK. I've heard both, yes and no. I can't understand why it wouldn't be ok, but I dont have a perfect understanding of the drivetrain in our vehicles just yet, although I'm learning quickly. I would be running the same tread pattern, maybe even same tire size, but definately the same sidewall thickness. IE, maybe 225 40 all around, maybe 215 40 225 40 stagger, but 40 all around.

[Mr. Sociable]

There isn't a problem with staggered setups, the problem is with tire diameters.

Running the same aspect ratio (i.e. the "40" you mentioned) will not be the same for different widths. Use the miata.net tire calculator to find a staggered setup that will have the same rolling diameter. I can't be the judge of how far off the front/rear diameters can be before it becomes an issue, but it has to be close.

[Huffer]

The diffs on these cars are very sensitive to weird wheel+tire diameters. You need to ensure the overall wheel+tire diameter is the same... width isn't a factor.

[DOOK]

that is what I was thinking also guys... thanks a ton

EDIT: tried the miata.net tire calculator... pretty cool actually... problem I'm running into is it doesn't take into account different width wheels. Obviously if I run the same size tire on different width wheels, even with the aspect ratio the same, the actual measured sidewall will be different. I guess I'll need to figure out the closest I can get on different width the old fashioned way.

[Mr. Sociable]

It works with different widths, just change the width of the tire to whatever you'll be running. Really, running the same width tires on a narrow(er) wheel and a wide(er) wheel ruins the point of getting a wider wheel.

[DOOK]

yeah, I thought of that after I posted... I just couldn't do both front and rears at the same time. i had to go back and forth until I got something close... it would appear a 215 40 on the 8 is 24.77 inches and a 245 35 on the 9 would be 24.75 inches... from everything I have read 2mm difference is the tolerance, and .02 inches is well within that... still haven't decided yet, but if i end up doing the staggered route, I've got the tire sizes figured out.

[Sarra]

Just realize that rotating tires will be impossible, especially if you get directional tread tires.

[DOOK]

yeah... I've been in that boat for years with my S chassis, so that isn't a big deal... most of the time I get nondirectional and have them flipped at a tire shop before the camber wear gets too extreme. Win some, you lose some.

[Reason]

I always wanted to go this route. It would be interesting if you did.

As for rotating tires on an AWD car. Um maybe it was just me but I never rotated tires. I just got for new tires when needed.

[DOOK]

I'll flip tires, but i probably wont' rotate either. after my camber wear gets about half, I'll have a tire shop flip the tires and run what used to be the inside on the outside... that's about it though.

[kyle86na]

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/info_specs.jsp

Use that calc, it is much better than the miata.net one

[jey]

Don't go down this route. Losing your ability to rotate tires is going to be a problem for you if your fronts end up wearing out faster than your rears, or vice versa. The difference in overall diameter can start to vary by more than the recommended tolerance for the center diff due to uneven wear.