Another tire/wheel question.

[dodik]

What width tires does 8 inch wheel take?
I found wheels that i like they are 17x8 with 40 offset. I know the offset is a bit low but for the price i can get the wheels i dont mind changing wheel bearing soon. I want to run 245s on them but after few hours of searching cant find any info if that tire is too narrow for the wheel or not. thank in advance.

[jey]

Ideal tire width also depends on the sidewall height. For a 50-series 17" tire, 255 is the target width for an 8" wide rim. But since sidewalls are flexible there is still a reasonable range of widths you can run on that wheel - 245 is no problem. Heck, you can run a 225-wide tire and still be fine. Most tire specs will indicate the range of wheel widths it is designed for, for each size. Tirerack has good information.

[sybir]

A 245 is not too narrow for an 8 - there's no way you're going to clear that tire, though, without some fender mods. I know the later cars have more space in the fenders, but it's not that much different.

To give you an idea, I'm running a 235 on an 8 and it's perfect for the wheel - maybe a touch wide. That's an ET48, and I'm millimeters from rubbing in the front and my rear fenders are rolled and pulled.

The offset isn't just a bearing issue, it's a "running into the fenders issue."

If you want to run those wheels, I wouldn't try anything over a 225, and expect to do fender work in the rear and most likely the front.


This is a narrow wide 235/narrow 245 on an 17x8ET48. I'd rub the fender liner in the front under heavy compression at this height.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/03/IMG_3865JPG-1.jpg

[warrior]

Sybir,

What suspension are you running.. I'm not really liking the big gap on the front wheel well of mine :(

[dodik]

im pretty sure il clear having an outback helps. stock size is 225/60/16 going to 245/50/17 shouldnt be a problem but im gonna check on thursday to be sure

[Huffer]

Sybir,

What suspension are you running.. I'm not really liking the big gap on the front wheel well of mine :(

TEIN Flex coilovers from an 04 WRX, IIRC.

[dodik]

i know that this new wheel will stick out 27 mm to the outside and 11 mm inside so what im gonna do is take Styrofoam cut two 15mm stripe and two 30 mm stripe tape them to the front and back wheels respectively and go for a ride should tell me if ill rub or not.

p.s. sorry if i misguide to what car i have with my avatar. its an 02 H6 outback sedan

[rougeben83]

Hmm, the offset maybe a bit low to run 245's on the BE. The only car I know that runs 245's is using 45-48 offset...You may also need to dial in more negative camber to get the right clearance.

That being said, you can do 225-245. Narrow tire for more clearance. 245 is perfect on an 8" wide wheel, but other factors concerning fitment will take precedent.

On the street, I don't really think you'll notice the difference in width in a positive way. You'll probably notice more that youre riding on a high-performance tire with the compound and tread pattern to match, than anything else.

[jg09]

im pretty sure il clear having an outback helps. stock size is 225/60/16 going to 245/50/17 shouldnt be a problem but im gonna check on thursday to be sure

My 225x65/17s rub under full compression. I've got nasty contact marks on the inner fender. Granted, I do beat mine off road every now and again.

[dodik]

My 225x65/17s rub under full compression. I've got nasty contact marks on the inner fender. Granted, I do beat mine off road every now and again.

no shit your tires are almost 2 inches larger in diameter than stock, im gonna run 245/50/17 which is almost same diameter only wider or 235/55/17. maybe ill stick to 225s it all depends on the price.

Ben that BE you are talking about is that a legacy or an outback?

[jg09]

Typo: 225x65/16. Still bigger than stock, though.

[dodik]

ok still an inch taller this actually helps me to figure out how my setup will fit thanx

[jg09]

As long as you don't beat it like a dune buggy and jump it once or twice, you'll be fine. And with the bigger tire, you don't have to lower it as much to get rid of the wheel gap.

[dodik]

well im gonna lower it eventually its just my stock suspension can still handle another year of NYC potholes thats why maybe ill stick to 225 this way i can actually drop an inch later on.

[rougeben83]

My 225x65/17s rub under full compression. I've got nasty contact marks on the inner fender. Granted, I do beat mine off road every now and again.

no shit your tires are almost 2 inches larger in diameter than stock, im gonna run 245/50/17 which is almost same diameter only wider or 235/55/17. maybe ill stick to 225s it all depends on the price.

Ben that BE you are talking about is that a legacy or an outback?

that was a legacy, and they were racing slicks... 225 are plenty for the street, the only difference you may notice is worse gas mileage and possibly more hydroplaning with the 245's. Youre balancing maximum contact patch (ie grip) with the responsiveness of the tire (wider tire on the same rims = a little softer turn-in). But you can mitigate the grip by picking a stickier compound, for example.

As a point of reference, 05+ STI's came with 225 width tires and they had 8" wide rims...

[dodik]

thanks Ben, looking at the price tag of 245/50/17 i think ill stick to 235s or 225s