Tire size questions...HELP!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Location: at the right hand of Satan in Hell
Tire size questions...HELP!
Okay, I just bought my "jump on the bandwagon" 17x8, 4 inch backspacing, (regular trailing arms) TTIIs, and it is time to order tires.
Question 1: What sidewall height means that I do not have to recalibrate my speedometer 45 or 50?
Question 2: What is the fattest tire width that I can get on my rear wheels without a problem and without modification?
Question 3: What is the fattest tire width that I can get on the front wheels and not have a rub when I turn (without any modification)?
Question 4: Someone once mentioned to me a long time ago that the factory used to shave a little of the wheel well out to get fatter tires on the front in some models...is this true? If I am willing to give my wheel wells a little trim, how wide can I go then?
Thanks guys,
Bryan
Question 1: What sidewall height means that I do not have to recalibrate my speedometer 45 or 50?
Question 2: What is the fattest tire width that I can get on my rear wheels without a problem and without modification?
Question 3: What is the fattest tire width that I can get on the front wheels and not have a rub when I turn (without any modification)?
Question 4: Someone once mentioned to me a long time ago that the factory used to shave a little of the wheel well out to get fatter tires on the front in some models...is this true? If I am willing to give my wheel wells a little trim, how wide can I go then?
Thanks guys,
Bryan
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 384
Likes: 8
From: Alberta
if all my rims were the same width, and at 8 inches wide you can't go with that wide of tire! i would recommend going with 255/45's all the way around! if you went with a 50 series tire it would be closer to your origonal tire height.
Ryan.
PS- nice choose on wheels. the TT2's are classic!
Ryan.
PS- nice choose on wheels. the TT2's are classic!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
Likes: 27
From: Norwalk Ct
On 17 x 8's the closest to the original rolling radius is a 255/50/17 (27").
Issues with that size is that a) theres not THAT many choices in that size and if you ever decide to go to larger in the rear there isnt a wider tire (say 285/40) that would be the same rolling radius. b) 255/50's can rub on full lock.
On mine I am using 255/45/17's on the front, they are closer to 26" rolling radius and you may have to lower the car to reduce the tire to fender gap.
Its basically upto those 2 sizes.
Nick.
Issues with that size is that a) theres not THAT many choices in that size and if you ever decide to go to larger in the rear there isnt a wider tire (say 285/40) that would be the same rolling radius. b) 255/50's can rub on full lock.
On mine I am using 255/45/17's on the front, they are closer to 26" rolling radius and you may have to lower the car to reduce the tire to fender gap.
Its basically upto those 2 sizes.
Nick.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
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From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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There have been one or two here who said 50s rubbed, so I went with 255/45/17 all around. 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Try this site. You can plug in different sizes and compare them.
Try this site. You can plug in different sizes and compare them.
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