phoenix96 Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Hi all. I was wondering if anybody had a good suggestion as to which tire size would be optimal for 18x8.5 (+48mm offset) wheels on a Legacy GT with stock suspension. I'm looking at getting a set of Rota G-Forces and I've seen some conflicting information about the tire sizes. Wheeldude's tire guide suggests 235/40 as the best size to fit without rubbing. Is there a better choice for a daily-driver? phoenix96 2006 Legacy GT Ltd · 2011 Outback 3.6R Ltd · 1992 SVX 2006 Outback 3.0R VDC · 2009 Forester 2.5X 2002 Outback VDC · 1996 Outback 2.5L · 1986 GL-10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vduber Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Not that i've seen I will be pulling the trigger on these exact wheels soon in charcoal grey. Looks like im going to be getting the Falken azenis rt-615 in 235/40R18 and have only heard good things about them in the summer because these will be my dedicated summers. Cheers to the G-forces though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix96 Posted April 27, 2009 Author Share Posted April 27, 2009 I'm having a hard time finding any definite information about the fit with 18x8.5" wheels and stock suspension - sounds like I should be more worried about rubbing on the suspension than the fenders. phoenix96 2006 Legacy GT Ltd · 2011 Outback 3.6R Ltd · 1992 SVX 2006 Outback 3.0R VDC · 2009 Forester 2.5X 2002 Outback VDC · 1996 Outback 2.5L · 1986 GL-10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix96 Posted April 27, 2009 Author Share Posted April 27, 2009 I found this: Just follow my first post about tire sizes. Unless you are going to get some aftermarket shocks or coilovers that uses a small diameter spring perch, you wont be able to any larger than: 25.5" overall tire diameter for a GT or 2.5i sedan 25.6" overall tire diameter for the Spec B 27.2" overall tire diameter for the Outbacks According to the 1010tires calculator, 235/40R18 would result in an overall diameter of 25.4" - getting awfully close to Xenonk's limit. It would also result in the speedometer reading 3.2% too slow. 235/35 and 245/35 would be much closer to stock (24.47"/24.75" overall diameter), with the downside of having shorter sidewalls. phoenix96 2006 Legacy GT Ltd · 2011 Outback 3.6R Ltd · 1992 SVX 2006 Outback 3.0R VDC · 2009 Forester 2.5X 2002 Outback VDC · 1996 Outback 2.5L · 1986 GL-10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vduber Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 I highly doubt that 235's will rub on stock ride height considering people that are dropped for the most part don't rub. If you go any wider you will have roll the fenders. 235/35, I have found even less tires in this size compared to 235/40 also I believe that 35's are to thin(not width wise). Like i said im going to be getting g-forces 18X8.5 on 235/40R18 on stock suspension (as long as it doesn't look like a monster truck) and I'll tell you if they rub or not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EL PAALO Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 you should be fine with the 235/40 18, but I used a 245/35 18 since it has more grip and is closer to stock overall diamter. you'll have no suspension clearance issues with the 8.5 +48 (I ran that too). For a daily, get some 18x7.5 or 18x8 with 225/40 18 and call it a day. you don't need the extra grip or weight from the wheels or tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTGT Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 I have 18x8's lowered a decent amount and I run T1R 235/40/18 tires. I only have a very slight RUB when fulling turning the wheel left or right at parking lot speeds. Other than that there is no rubbing unless I have a full car on a bumpy road....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 255/35/18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix96 Posted April 27, 2009 Author Share Posted April 27, 2009 you should be fine with the 235/40 18, but I used a 245/35 18 since it has more grip and is closer to stock overall diamter. you'll have no suspension clearance issues with the 8.5 +48 (I ran that too). On an entirely stock suspension? For a daily, get some 18x7.5 or 18x8 with 225/40 18 and call it a day. you don't need the extra grip or weight from the wheels or tires. Unfortunately, the G-forces are not available in 18x7.5 or 18x8. I wonder how much of a difference the weight will make... Looks like the stock setup is ~42.5lbs for wheel & tire. I can't find any definite weight for the 8.5" wide G-force, but if it's ~21lbs, the G-force with Yokohama S.drive would be about 45.7lbs. 3.2lbs of extra unsprung weight on each corner. phoenix96 2006 Legacy GT Ltd · 2011 Outback 3.6R Ltd · 1992 SVX 2006 Outback 3.0R VDC · 2009 Forester 2.5X 2002 Outback VDC · 1996 Outback 2.5L · 1986 GL-10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jxjjang Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 i was running 18x8.5 SSR professor SP1's on 235/40/18 falken ziex 912's with no rubbing issues at all on stock suspension. it does give it a slight lift on the overall tire height though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fzanetti Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 i was running 18x8.5 SSR professor SP1's on 235/40/18 falken ziex 912's with no rubbing issues at all on stock suspension. it does give it a slight lift on the overall tire height though. Pics??? Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urfsin Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 255/35/18 Baller Slide It Sideways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 ^with rolled fenders and the right suspension parts, that size will fit without rubbing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenonk Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 245/35/18. i have spoken Keefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix96 Posted April 28, 2009 Author Share Posted April 28, 2009 245/35/18. i have spoken And lo, it is decided. http://sc2pod.com/forum//images/smilies/smiley-worship.gif phoenix96 2006 Legacy GT Ltd · 2011 Outback 3.6R Ltd · 1992 SVX 2006 Outback 3.0R VDC · 2009 Forester 2.5X 2002 Outback VDC · 1996 Outback 2.5L · 1986 GL-10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTGT Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I want to run 245/35/18 on my 18x8 next . I learned this from Xenonk years ago. Pretty close to stock diameter and decent rim protection depending on the tire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 ^I run this size. fits fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobySTi07 Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 245/35/18. i have spoken And the Xenonk spake, saying, "245/35/18 shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be 245/35/18." The Ridiculousness is no more But you can have your very own piece of it. **The Ridiculous Part Out.** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jxjjang Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 these are the 18x8.5" SSR professor SP1's on 235/40/18 falken ziex 912's on stock suspension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoRilla Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 FYI...245/40 does not fit. I'm still rolling/pulling. Maryland's Suby friendly Realtor. My favorite suby shop: http://www.IAGPerformance.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix96 Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 Well I got my 18x8.5" +48 wheels and 245/35R18 tires on the car tonight. I haven't gotten a chance to actually drive it (won't til tomorrow). The clearance in the front seemed very tight but they did seem to fit. The bigger question I have is that the front wheels now protrude about 3/8" from the fender. I suppose that might be unavoidable with the wider wheels and +48 offset? phoenix96 2006 Legacy GT Ltd · 2011 Outback 3.6R Ltd · 1992 SVX 2006 Outback 3.0R VDC · 2009 Forester 2.5X 2002 Outback VDC · 1996 Outback 2.5L · 1986 GL-10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyWifezLEGi Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 post pix when u get the chance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKLGT Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 ya, was gonna say, 245 would work great. that's what came on my 08 STI with 18x8.5 rims. Wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle yeah!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix96 Posted May 18, 2009 Author Share Posted May 18, 2009 post pix when u get the chance Here's the front-right wheel seen from above the fender: http://www.smugmug.com/photos/539421692_BN3Pj-L.jpg You can really see how it protrudes. And a couple more: http://www.smugmug.com/photos/539436967_bfhyV-L.jpg http://www.smugmug.com/photos/539436754_VXoW2-L.jpg phoenix96 2006 Legacy GT Ltd · 2011 Outback 3.6R Ltd · 1992 SVX 2006 Outback 3.0R VDC · 2009 Forester 2.5X 2002 Outback VDC · 1996 Outback 2.5L · 1986 GL-10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 time to roll/pull the fender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.