Pseudo Nim

Hi all,

I was running a set of Federal 225/40-18 and 265/35-18 on my Enkei NT03+M 18x10-60 and 18x8.5-50. I'm lowered on PSS9s. I'm thinking the tires were a little bit narrow, and I'm wondering if I can go to something like 245 and 285, but I'm not sure whether I have clearance or not. I ran 10mm spacers on the rears and they were fine, and my mechanic told me I should be able to use a 10mm spacer in the front just fine as well.

I didn't like the Federals (came with the wheels), so I'm looking to go back to Nitto NT05s. If my memory serves me right, these tend to run a little bit wide, so maybe I should be careful?

Any thoughts welcome!

Ratchet1025

Howdy,
I had a similar situation as yours with my 99 C2, and went with my friends recommendation to go +10 on both Fr and Rr tires. I have Hankook RS3s, so 235 Front and 275 Rear. The rears are perfect without spacers (my rear flanges are not rolled though). The Fronts could use a 5mm spacer, and I will install them in the spring.

Pseudo Nim

Ooh. Good info, thanks. Are your wheel offsets similar to mine?

Ratchet1025

I knew you were going to ask that...I am currently on a business trip, but will check when I get back and let you know.

Pseudo Nim

Awesome. Thanks!

Slakker

245/285 will be fine. You shouldn't need a spacer on the rear but it won't hurt anything. The front is where you may have to adjust your caster and or add a spacer to prevent rubbing the wheel wells due to Nittos on an 8.5. The 245 NT01s on 8.5 I had measured over 260.

JTT

285s on 10" wheel was standard on Mk2 cars, so should be fine at the rear anyway. I understand they can easy take 295s (which I'm considering next set)

Pseudo Nim

Gotcha. On what offset, though?

JTT

Stock, which is 65 rear.

Pseudo Nim

So if my current wheels are 60... (sorry, I'm bad at offsets). Am I going to be too deep in, meaning I need a 5mm spacer, or am I 5mm too wide no matter what?

JTT

If your current wheels are 60s, then your outer edge is actually 5mm farther out and you have 5mm more clearance on the inside. 5mm spacers on 65 offset rims would be equivalent to where you are now. Does that make sense?

I struggle with the offset thing too. THIS site might help get your head around it all.

Pseudo Nim

Ahh perfect, thanks. So in this case... I guess the only way I'd know if it works would be if someone that has stock 65mm wheels on a 5mm spacer. I'm somewhat suspicious this would work though... I don't seem to recall Mk2's having wheels that are significantly inset, which would mean that throwing a spacer on would probably rub on the fender, no?

Slakker

No. I've 12" rears with 315 tires on an et65 and not had any problems. A 285 on an et60 will be fine.

Pseudo Nim

Oh, cool. I feel like I've read somewhere that the Mk2 has more clearance than the Mk1 in the wheel wells, though. Is this the case?

JTT

Yes, apparently the Mk2 had fenders rolled (or similar added clearance) at factory. If Slakker says it works, I'd bank on it