Originally posted by Troll Pete:
Originally posted by Mod-Deth:
Originally posted by Troll Pete:
Also, by reducing the overall tire size, you increase the overall wheel gaps.

225-40/18 is the look Goonz is looking for.

See this thread for many pics

1. fills the wheel wells perfectly
2. perfect width - both visually and to protect wheels
3. perfect height - no rubberband or 4x4 look


That looks really nice!

How is the ride compared to 17"? In comparison, I'm running 215/45/17 on ATS Comp Lites (17x7.5)


I would venture to say that I've had more wheel and tire combos than anyone on CEG. I've had 15s, 16s, 17s, 18s and 19s on the SVT.

I wont break down each, but here's a quick review:
=15s, 16s=
no need for review

=17s=
215/45-17
- If you looked at the tread of the wheel, it was a slightly / \ with the tire.
- Slight "rubber band" look
- Wheel well gap was increased in comparison to E1s due to smaller sidewall
- Reduced wheel protection due to reduced width and sidewall

225/45-17
Much, much better. All of the above concerns I had were taken care of. The wider tire slightly increased sidewall height..
- view of tread tire was now more | | than / \
- more wheel protection
- reduced overall wheel well gap
- no more rubber band look on a 17 (not a good look at all IMO)

Another reason I would avoid a 215:
Originally posted by RogerB:
Originally posted by Rara:
Vehicle load capacity. Every car requires each tire to carry a certain amount of weight, which is carried by the cushion of air inside the tire. When you increase diameter, you typically decrease the tire section height, which in turn decreases the air cushion size, decreases its load capacity. The less load capacity you have in your tires, you run a much greater risk of damaging the wheel or even suspension components over time.


And that's why you need to go wider when you go to lo-pro. (The load capacity is based on the total volume of air inside the tire.) You can compensate, to a point...



=18s=
225/40-18
IMHO, the perfect wheel and tire size. Going from 225/40-18 to the 17" FSVT wheels, the car felt like complete trash - body roll, cornering, etc. etc. Anyone who says that 17s handle just as well as 18s is wrong. I think stepping down a wheel size is when you REALLY feel the difference - especially on a car that has a good amount of suspension work done. Obviously the drawback is a slightly bumpier ride, but I didn't mind it.

=19s=
The ride was just too harsh for me - especially on GCs and Konis.



Excellent Pete...just what I was looking for. Thorough yet concise. I too have run a myriad of wheel/tire combinations, and am still looking for that right combo.

Question: Are the OZ 18" you're running 7.5, 8, or 8.5 wide?