SA/FB/Old School/4x110 guys help!

[P71]

I want to put a set of 15x8" wheels on my rx-7, they have a +15 offset. What's the stock offset on a GSL? I need to know so I can order up the correct spacers!

[P71]

+38mm offset on the stock "+" wheels. I just went and measured my damn self :P

[85rx-7gsl-se]

Unless you are going with flares, I don't think they will fit without sticking out.

[P71]

Originally Posted by 85rx-7gsl-se

Unless you are going with flares, I don't think they will fit without sticking out.

Oh yes, yes they will. Read my findings:

http://www.rotarycarclub.com/showthread.php?t=2031

[85rx-7gsl-se]

But won't it stick outta the fenders?

[85rx-7gsl-se]

I mean...the stockers stick out only .8" from the hub according to your numbers.

The 15x8s will stick out 2.9" according to your number. An extra 2" inches seems like alot. Plus the adapter is .375" so you have approx. 2.375" of extra width.

Maybe I am just missing something, thats why I ask

[-xlr8planet-]

I used 16x8 in the back.

havent tried that size on the front, but looks like it will stick out...

[85rx-7gsl-se]

^What offset?

[P71]

Re-do your math, you're mixing positives and negatives, I think?

While the 15x8" is 2.5" wider of a wheel, the whole "package" is only 20mm wider, or about 3/4". The 185's "balloon" off of the stock wheels while the 205's and the 8" wheels are the same width.

Look at it like this, the tread width and section width of the tire are the only things to worry about as that's what gets close to the fender lip. The stock 185 tire has a 185mm tread width (give or take, each tire brand/model will be different) which is 7.3". The 205 tire has a tread width of 205mm which is 8". So even with making the backspacing/offset equal, the increase in overall width is only .7" or about 18mm. That's less then 2cm and less then 1". There's a good 1.5" in between where the tire would be and my fender lip. The only real difference is where the wheel itself is in relation to the body, and with most +15 15x8 wheels you will end up with a deep lip so it's only the actual "rim" that will be out the additional amount, and there's plenty of room to grow in that area from the "+" wheel!

I attached some pictures

[-xlr8planet-]

+25 offset

[P71]

Originally Posted by -xlr8planet-

+25 offset

Spacers? What size tire? Will it clear the front strut and fender?

[-xlr8planet-]

no spacers.

108x4 bolt pattern

I never tried them in the front. I was just "testing" them

[P71]

Hopefully you used the "wobbly" lugs...

Without a spacer the outside face is dead even with stock and the inside is 20mm closer to the strut/suspension.

[85rx-7gsl-se]

I guess your tire selection will make it work. I guess I was a little confused because most people upgrading to a 8" wheel do so to gain greater width than they can run stock. I am running 215" on stock 5.5" GSL-SE wheels.

[P71]

205/50/15 is the super-awesome autocross/road race tire size for Miata's and Civic's. So I can get Falken Azenis Rt-615's (basically the closest you can get to an R-Compound without being an R-Compound) for $72 each. Why go to a 215 or a staggered setup when those class of tires in a 205 is more grip then the 12A can even handle? A 205 is still an 11% increase over a 185 on contact patch!

Remember, for hard cornering you want the widest rim you can get the tire to fit on with out "stretching" to have a nice 90* sidewall with no balloon. A 15x8" wheel with a 205 tire is a perfect match for that. And again, the whole $$$ comes into play. If I had serious cash I'd do an FC 5-lug brake conversion and go from there, but sticking with a cheaper class limits me to stock size/style rotors (but they can be slotted/better made) and to whatever I can get to stay on there.