The dash is “flocked”. It’s a process of using billions of small nylon fibers and an adhesive to give it a “suede” feeling. This reduces the glare off the plastic dashboard. Works great

18×9 +50 CE28N Genesis
RE 11 Tires 245-40-18
MXP TBE
Stage 2 Tuned as well.
09 STi DGM

You sound like a very sharp guy. I’m looking to put the largest set of wheels that will fit on my ‘74 Datsun 260Z.

It has mostly stock f/r susp. except for stiffer springs & sway bars.

It also has fiberglass front fenders w/appx 1.5″ flares as well as fiberglass rear arches w/appx 3″ flares.

I now have 70’s style wheels/tires: Western brand 14X7 running fat Gr60/14 McReary radials (yep, they’re old!)

Can I fit a set of 17″ or 18″ wheels with my stock susp/brakes? I’m not looking for super-wide tires, I just want to fill out the wheel wells w/modern wheels/tires.

I’m willing to use spacers & longer studs, but I don’t want the expense of coil-overs!

Thanks for your help,
Bill

you could go with a 235/40/18, it’s a bit of a stretch on the 9″ wheel but you should be rub free at that offset.

double check caliper clearance as well.

Thanks

http://t3hclap.com/archives/40

I’ve long wished for the option to punch in size, offset, and bolt pattern and end up with a list of wheels I want, not a list of wheels that are a “recommended” size.

Surely, the website can accommodate for both methods of searching.

Oh, and I agree.

265/35/18 RE760 Sports for sub $200!

I may wait to do the braces when I do the fender mods for the new 17×10 +38mm Wheels.

If that isn’t a hint I don’t know what is.

I still have 4 weeks waiting on the wheels….FAIL! haha.

just be careful when removing those bolts holding the fender braces on, my roommate had a bunch of hotties come over when i was trying to remove my stock ones, wasn’t paying attention and turned the bolts the wrong way a few dozen times.

ended up saying F it and left them on since i was too lazy to remove the whole fender.

now tell us what wheels you ordered!

My car really belongs in BSP, I wanted to play in STU for awhile to remember what street tires were like.

Regardless can’t wait to see the wheels and the build as it progresses.

I guess we could install shorter springs to raise the spring perch about the tires or we could use some wheel spacers which would probably require changing out the wheel studs which might be easier to do vs changing springs.

He’s been running on Kumho tires and hopes to find a better tire in the next few months. I think Kumho is developing another tire that should work well in STU, otherwise, he will probably go to Dunlops or Bridgestones.

We look forward to keeping up with your site and trading tips to keep the STi competitive. Thanks,

Thanks!

you’re going for negative camber.

Positive and 0 camber are not ideal for performance.

always aim for ZERO toe as well.

If you’re looking for more grip, you need to be sure you’re looking at Extreme Performance Tires. Not some $50 a piece tires.

The BC Racing coilovers will help with the fitment. You’ll want to roll the rear fenders, like we said.

the 235/35/18 may be too tall, initially stick to the 225/35/18 (if you can find any).

the +25mm offset will be harder on the bearings, causing increased wear. Your car will most likely tram line more often.

this isn’t going to be a bolt on setup, you’ll need to do adjustments/modifications to make it fit correctly.

when i go this wide the camber will go postive or negitive..?and if i will have to adjust it..should i put it 0 or a bit negitive..? since i do aggressive cornering..?

i googled..i found a front camber kit..for my lancer..the rear is adjustable..also i will be using BC coilovers they have front camber plates as well..

i could get those and roll the fenders..

do u think i may face any other problems..?

i even thought why dont i go 235/35/18 since the diameter will be simillar to 215/45/17.what do u think.?

too many questions

thanks.

currently running on my car 215/45/17 no rubbing..

so what do suggest how can i work this out..?

thank you

you will most likely also have to add some additional camber on top of the fender mods.

what size tire you looking at running?

my car is 2004 lancer ES..

there is a guy Running 18×7.5
Offset = 38 mm
Width = 7.5″ =190.5 mm
Centerline = 95.25 mm
Backspace = 146 mm = 5.74″
forwardspacing =2.753″ (no fenders mods needed)

everything is fine with this offset in his car which is 2004 lancer ES as well..

i came up with this wider size with different offset..and its my plan…

18×8.5
Offset = 25 mm
Width = 8.5″ = 215.9 mm
Centerline = 107.95 mm
Backspace = 154.65 = 5.73″
Forward spacing = 95.65 = 3.76″ (i can work somthing out for the fenders)

i am doing this because i really need traction..my car has an evo engine(swapped) and its FWD..

so what do you think abt it..is there anything else that i have to worry abt..?

thank you…

t3h_Clap asked what you vehicle’s wheel width is, NOT the tire width which was the ‘235′…seeing as you have a P235/65R17’s, you probably have a 17×7 or 17×7.5…when He also asked about ’stock’, that meant the OEM factory spec….

Also, adding a wheel spacer is just gonna make your tire stick out by a good 2 inch, rubbing against the fenders and the wheel well.

…not good for looks, not good on your suspension…knowing BMW’s have tight suspension, you might have to spend for a ‘lift kit’ if you REALLY want THOSE nice-18mm-offset RIMS…which defeats the whole purpose of a BMW…

Also you might want to measure your OEM backspacing to find out how much room you have for aftermarket rims, so they don’t RUB against your suspension parts…measure from the rim’s mounting pad up to just before the lip of the rim, not to the edge of the tire

So overall, you might for a rim that has a medium to high offset…limit it to 25mm if you have to, and don’t go over 40mm….

you OEM rim is probably a

…17(size)x7.5(width), P.C.D.(pitch circle diameter or bolt pattern)is 5(bolt)x120mm(or 5×4.72 inches), wheel stud size is a 12(mm)x1.5b(tread pitch), center hub bore is 72.56…

Big props for doing it big for the GD’s. Great feature!

-Raul (RFFG)

Thanks, Kevin

i would do a 14.25 front 14 rear ride height.

I’d dial back the rear camber a little to -1.7 or so.

Front camber looks good for autox/track days maybe a little less depending on the course lay outs.

do you plan on having a street alignment and a track/autox alignment (only difference being the front camber plates slammed in for autox)?

That being said, due to financial cionstraints, and my desire to get more than 1 season on a set of tires, I have decided to stay on street tires for now.

I am looking to get some 255/40/r17 dunlop star specs mounted on my 17×9 5zigens +43 if I remember correctly. On my t2’s, I should have no rubbing issues with that setup, correct?

I have adjustable plates front and rear and Am considering 14″f & 14.25″r ride hieght along with a -3 camber in front and a -2 in rear with a possible toe adjustment front. Any recommendations/considerations? Car is not my daily driver. OH, almost forgot, I swapped out springs on my t2’s to a 550 front spring and a 500 rear. Gonna give that a try.

As usual, any help u can give in the way of recommendations/suggestions/confirmations of my thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I like your pages, I can read passion and love for cars and wheels.

^_^

Thank you again.

the concave face for the 19s start at 19×9.5 +43mm which does clear and you’ll need to modify the rear fenders and have a stiff suspension.

to fit a 9.5″ read this.

http://t3hclap.com/archives/11

It’s a great size.

I don’t have any pics of the 18×8.5 versions, there is no point when 18×9 fits as nice as this does.

Another request, do you have somo photo of GRB with SSR 18 8.5 +48/+52?
I found only official SSR photos, and wheels have aggressive offset.

Thank you

Depending on your alignment and ride height you could go to a wider wheel with the 18×9 +45mm.

if you’ve got more questions don’t hesitate to email me.

17×9.5 +38mm RPF1 fitment.

http://t3hclap.com/archives/57

needs a 5mm spacer to clear brembos.

here is the 18×10 on an 08.

http://t3hclap.com/archives/51

you will need to modify the fenders, run camber and run coilovers to make it all work.

So if I want that kinda look for my 2006 STI, what size, offset and tire size would I need? Love the 19′ TE37 on GT-R and Z33! (19×9.5) but I would be happier if I can get 18′ that looks like that or 19×8.5 is the only answer so I dont need to roll fenders?

FYI, still on stock Brembo brakes and am using Tein SS coilovers.

Many thanks!

Is fender rolling still necessary ?

Joe,
The reason I don’t suggest a 255 is it is a little wide for an 8″ wheel. the 245 is a better match. Although you can run a 255 on the stock 17×8s with most lowering spring setups. You could run into issues if you had coilovers.

Alex,
with the buddy club coilovers you may run into issues with any tire wider than a 245. the high offset of the stock wheels can cause issues when going wider.

Ricky, as long as you’re on stock wheels you should be fine.

After getting spacers/wheel studs you wont have fender issues if you roll the rear fenders, but that’s mainly b/c the Prodrives don’t lower the car much and you’re going with a skinny tire.

you’ll most likely need to shoot for -3.0 front and -2.0 rear camber.

Personally I’d stay away from **** but that’s me, and a topic for a different article.

ive heard from a few places this can be, done, i just thought id see what you had to say.

thanks

The camber.. scares me.

there are negatives.

It really pays to do it right the first time.

Getting extended studs with a quality spacer pays off in the long run.

you don’t need spacers to clear the rear brembos.

the issue is with the fender.

to run this setup you’d have to do extensive fender mods.

http://t3hclap.com/archives/49

even after that you may have rubbing issues due to the softness/ride height of the RCE Yellows.

there are guys with higher offset 9″ wheels and 235s rubbing with the RCE yellows.

a 9″ +45mm with a 235/40/18 doesn’t rub with the right camber on the RCE Yellows.

you can get away with the +35mm on a 9″ wheel with a 235/40/18 if you run more camber and do some fender mods.