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215/40 vs 235/40 (again...)

jeffreylyon

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#1
Help me out. I'm using the 949 17x8 +45 wheels with 12.5mm spacers and 2.5? of camber on the front. No spacers, stock camber on the rear. Still on the OEM 205/40 tires. I've got .5" of room between the inside edge of the wheel and the coil over tube. With the front camber angle it looks like a 9" section width (using the 9" outside width of the wheel as a guide) will just tuck inside rolled fenders. It looks like I've got at least enough room for a 9" section width tire in the back, again, using the wheel width as a guide.

The Direzza ZII's in 235/40x17 have a 8.6" section width and are 1" taller than stock. Searching this forum leads me to believe that they aren't going to fit in the back, but I'm not sure if that's due to width or height issues. I can fix width issues with a little pull on the fenders but I can't fix height issues. Moreover, the 225/45's are even taller.

Soooo, I'm either "stuck" with the 215/40 or dice rolling with the 235/40. Any guidance out there?
 


M-Sport fan

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#2
The 215/40 Star Specs are already .5" taller than stock, and are also a FULL 8" tread width (about perfect for an 8" wide wheel), so they are what I plan to use on my 17x8 1.2s when they finally show up late spring.

As much as I'd also love to have the widest gumball possible under this car, I just do not see how that 235/40 is a possibility, given it's height.
 


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jeffreylyon

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Thread Starter #3
How about this - who is running a 215/45x17 on a lowered FiST? How's the fit? What tire are you running?
 


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#5
I will be running a 215/45/17 setup with mountune springs soon. I imagine some small fender mods will be nec. for it but I will take pics and let you guys know after I get them installed over the holiday.

PS Im already running 215/45 and love the way they look but Im not lowered yet.
 


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jeffreylyon

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Thread Starter #6
I will be running a 215/45/17 setup with mountune springs soon. I imagine some small fender mods will be nec. for it but I will take pics and let you guys know after I get them installed over the holiday.

PS Im already running 215/45 and love the way they look but Im not lowered yet.
Cool - please keep us posted! Thanks!
 


CanadianGuy

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#9
I will be running a 215/45/17 setup with mountune springs soon. I imagine some small fender mods will be nec. for it but I will take pics and let you guys know after I get them installed over the holiday.

PS Im already running 215/45 and love the way they look but Im not lowered yet.
The rear wheel well is where rubbing will occur when the suspension is compressed the wheel will rub the fender liner and if more the joint for the bumper/body panel at the 2-3 o'clock position (driver side). I ran 215/45R17 on stock suspension last year and that was the only rub when I hit large bump/pot holes at speeds.
 


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#10
The rear wheel well is where rubbing will occur when the suspension is compressed the wheel will rub the fender liner and if more the joint for the bumper/body panel at the 2-3 o'clock position (driver side). I ran 215/45R17 on stock suspension last year and that was the only rub when I hit large bump/pot holes at speeds.
There seems to be a lot of sag in that rear liner so I am planning to make a few adjustments to that. On the front there are some simple solutions to taking care of the bumper/fender bolt. Im pretty confident I can make it work with minor adjustments. I made a 18x9.5 255/35 combo work perfectly on my FoST, so I'm pretty familiar with getting everything to fit :D.
 


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jeffreylyon

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Thread Starter #13
The rear wheel well is where rubbing will occur when the suspension is compressed the wheel will rub the fender liner and if more the joint for the bumper/body panel at the 2-3 o'clock position (driver side). I ran 215/45R17 on stock suspension last year and that was the only rub when I hit large bump/pot holes at speeds.
That's what I'm gathering. I'm hoping that I can clearance the sheet metal at the rear to give the tires a little more breathing room. I'd really prefer to run the 215/45x17 RE-71Rs but I might chicken out go for the .25" shorter 235/40x17 Star Specs.
 


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#14
So I am running a 215/45/17 Cooper Weathermaster snow on a 17x8 et 42 with Mountune springs. I do rub on the front tabs every once in a while. I am confident with a quick trim that will no longer be an issue. The rear liners sag down, I will be glueing those up to the fender soon and then I should have no issues all around. I really like the look and fit.
 




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