S18 RSG 429 Report post Posted August 9, 2015 Hi guys, Finances have changed as of late, and therefore it seems I may be picking up my new wheels sooner than expected (like, next week). Due to this sudden change, I've not really done too much research regarding wheel fitments, so thought I'd ask here (I did read something on the US forum, but wanted a more human response). I'm looking at getting some 18x8.5s for the front, and 18x9.5s for the rear. First question, would 235/40/18 be the ideal tyre size? Or maybe a wider rear tyre? I'm not sure what we can get away with without rubbing. Seconding question, the wheels I'm getting have lots of options for offset, from memory, anything from 30 to 45 is available. Could anyone advise as to the ideal offset for each axle? The car will be lowered around 35-40mm for reference, and I would ideally like to achieve a nice, not too much poke, not too much tuck kind of stance. Thanks in advance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Church 209 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 For this platform best tire setup handling wise is square one, not staggered. I'd also advise to not go for too wide wheels & tires if you are still with NA power, but i guess on that i'm too late. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinA 695 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 The best advice I can offer is to go to an event and look at the various wheels, speak to the owners for info etc.... I have two sets of wheels ( 18×9.5 sq set up ) but knew exactly what I wanted to achieve. If your ever near my location your welcome to pop in and I'll bolt a set on for you to gander at. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 I have 9.5 all around and use a 255/35 tyre which fits really well If it was me, I'd go 235/35 on the 8.5 and 255/35 on the 9.5 As for offset, around 40 is best for the 9.5 so you may want slightly lower (maybe a 35?) for the front All depends on the look you want to achieve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S18 RSG 429 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 I have 9.5 all around and use a 255/35 tyre which fits really well If it was me, I'd go 235/35 on the 8.5 and 255/35 on the 9.5 As for offset, around 40 is best for the 9.5 so you may want slightly lower (maybe a 35?) for the front All depends on the look you want to achieve Cheers Smudge, that's exactly what I was after. I only mentioned 235 all round as I wasn't sure what tyre we can get away with on the rear. I've read that 9.5" on the front causes some issue, but then Kevin proved me wrong on that. Ideally, I want to achieve something along these lines (as these will be the same wheels I'm going for also) although I doubt I will go that low at the back or maybe a little lower at the front. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36325&stc=1&d=1367862361 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinA 695 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 You may want to put some camber bolts on the front with the 9.5. Got a spare set if you want them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S18 RSG 429 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 You may want to put some camber bolts on the front with the 9.5. Got a spare set if you want them. Camber bolts are definitely a top priority when the car gets lowered. I've read camber bolts and rear camber bushes are preferable (don't know if you have any input there). If you have spare then yes, I would like them, thanks PM me details if you could. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 This is a 255/35 on a 9.5J wheel ET40 I'm lowered about 40-50mm with about -2 degrees of camber on the rear and it fits very nicely under the arches front and back Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S18 RSG 429 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 Thanks again Smudge, perfect. From that picture, if I go 255 with slightly less drop (maybe 35mm) and pick up some camber bushes to dial in some negative camber, I should be good with around a 35-40 offset? I guess I could get 40 offset to be on the safe side, and then pick up some 3 or 5mm spacers if necessary. Thanks again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 40 would be my recommendation then as you say you can space out to what you want if neccessary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rob275 1817 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 9.5's won't fit on the front with the stock damper I don't think. My 9" wheels with an offset of 42 rubbed a tad, I couldn't fit a scredit card between the wheel/tyre and the strut. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 9.5's won't fit on the front with the stock damper I don't think. My 9" wheels with an offset of 42 rubbed a tad, I couldn't fit a scredit card between the wheel/tyre and the strut. Good point, nearly forgot about that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S18 RSG 429 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 9.5's won't fit on the front with the stock damper I don't think. My 9" wheels with an offset of 42 rubbed a tad, I couldn't fit a scredit card between the wheel/tyre and the strut. Yeah, I had a feeling that was the case also. I'm thinking it may be best to go 8.5J all round just to be on the safe side. I'll go with a 35 offset, and if I need any more I'll just use spacers. One advantage I didn't think about is the ability to rotate tyres/wheels across axles, which I've done on basically every car I've ever had. Thanks for the advice guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 A square setup is preferred by quite a few of us. Added bonus is the rotation as you say Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinA 695 Report post Posted August 10, 2015 I ran 18x9.5 et 35 with 235/40/18 on the front with stock dampers. It's tight but not everyone's taste. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
