Why excessive wheel width may decrease handling performance!

[Mikie13]

[rocklizzard91]

Could you go over what stock/mostly stock Subaru's limits are then?
I've got an 02 that I'm trying to pick wheels for and was thinking 17x8 with an undecided tire size because "wider is moar grip" but I didn't want too wide due to weight.

What size wheel widths, tire sizes and offsets are Subaru friendly before.scrub radius and other issues you mentioned start to appear?

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[EJ257]

Could you go over what stock/mostly stock Subaru's limits are then?
I've got an 02 that I'm trying to pick wheels for and was thinking 17x8 with an undecided tire size because "wider is moar grip" but I didn't want too wide due to weight.

What size wheel widths, tire sizes and offsets are Subaru friendly before.scrub radius and other issues you mentioned start to appear?

17x8 is a great size wheel for your car. 225-245 series tires, with appropriate A/R to keep your speedo in line is usually where you want to be; depending on if the car is lowered and wheel offset, you may be required to do fender mods (e.g., rolling) to prevent rubbing with larger series tires.

[zax]

Could you go over what stock/mostly stock Subaru's limits are then?
I've got an 02 that I'm trying to pick wheels for and was thinking 17x8 with an undecided tire size because "wider is moar grip" but I didn't want too wide due to weight.

What size wheel widths, tire sizes and offsets are Subaru friendly before.scrub radius and other issues you mentioned start to appear?

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From the info I've compiled, it's generally inadvisable to go larger than 17x8.5 (245 tire) on GG (2002-2007 wagon), 17x9 (255 tire) on the GD, and 17x9.5 (265 tire) on the GR/GV/GP. However, as SD has pointed out, there are a million factors that contribute to the shape of the contact patch, most notable being the brand and type of tire. I use a 17" wheel in this example as I feel it is the best blend of performance and handling.

One item to note is the multi link rear suspension on the GR/GV/GP, which due to the different suspension geometry could theoretically maintain contact patch on a wider wheel. However, since staggered fitment is not allowed on these cars, the MacPherson fronts become the limiting factor.

Also worth noting is that this writeup is intended primarily for the GR/GV/GP and GD STi Crowd. Simply put, GG and GD owners run into fender clearance issues before the wheel width tends to become an issue.

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[rocklizzard91]

From the info I've compiled, it's generally inadvisable to go larger than 17x8.5 (245 tire) on GG (2002-2007 wagon), 17x9 (255 tire) on the GD, and 17x9.5 (265 tire) on the GR/GV/GP. However, as SD has pointed out, there are a million factors that contribute to the shape of the contact patch, most notable being the brand and type of tire. I use a 17" wheel in this example as I feel it is the best blend of performance and handling.

Also worth noting is that this writeup is intended primarily for the GR/GV/GP and GD STi Crowd. Simply put, GG and GD owners run into fender clearance issues before the wheel width tends to become an issue.

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So buying the same wheel/tire, would there be any reason why I would pick a 17x9 over a 17x8? And other than weight or fitment to not go with the "max" 255 you mentioned? I'm not building a racecar or anything, but I'd really like to get into auto-x and some track days, and I've always opted to spend more initially for a nice setup vs buying one setup then changing my mind and having to sell and re-buy
I'll PM you if you don't want to clutter your thread :P

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[zax]

A 235 width tire on a 17x8 wheel will have a similar contact patch to a 235 width tire on a 17x9 wheel, albeit with the added weight of the wider wheel.

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[T0rque]

you are all wrong

[rocklizzard91]

you are all wrong

Care to elaborate?

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[EJ257]

you are all wrong

You're a towel...

[T0rque]

The wider the rim and the narrower the tire, combined with the most aggressive camber known to man will surely pop a tit out of a bra if exceeding the recommended corner speed by atleast 10mph. Plus the extra coefficient of the wheel lip protruding from the actual bead of the tire will help keep the cops off your tail from throwing sparks. That makes it dangerous for them to get to close. Also the fact that you get massive street cred and published in all the online magazines

[zax]

[michaelwfox]

The wider the rim and the narrower the tire, combined with the most aggressive camber known to man will surely pop a tit out of a bra if exceeding the recommended corner speed by atleast 10mph. Plus the extra coefficient of the wheel lip protruding from the actual bead of the tire will help keep the cops off your tail from throwing sparks. That makes it dangerous for them to get to close. Also the fact that you get massive street cred and published in all the online magazines

Bewbs win

[Calvinball]

The wider the rim and the narrower the tire, combined with the most aggressive camber known to man will surely pop a tit out of a bra if exceeding the recommended corner speed by atleast 10mph. Plus the extra coefficient of the wheel lip protruding from the actual bead of the tire will help keep the cops off your tail from throwing sparks. That makes it dangerous for them to get to close. Also the fact that you get massive street cred and published in all the online magazines

I award you honorary rep, because apparently I am way too rep-monogamous since clubdub always tells me I need to spread my rep around more.