Opinion on rims for stock tyres
 

Hi guys,

I am eagerly awaiting my White GTS early next year and am thinking of replacing the stock rims with some matt black rims, specifically Work wheels Emotion Kawami.

I would like to use the stock tyres to keep the handling the same as stock at this point (keep the ride quality/ handling balance).

17 inch

17x7 +38 / +47 / +53
17x8 +35 / +47 (Mid concave)
17x9 +17 / +28 / +38 (Deep concave)

Which of the sizes would be best?

Where would be the best place to obtain these in melbourne?

http://work-wheels.com.au/Products/31/Emotion-CR-Kiwami

Cheers!

Personally I wouldn't waste your money as the OE wheels are already attractive & the size you want ! I know the GTS doesn't have the ultimate look/stance but it does ride & handle really well imo. The Kiwamis are nice but even nicer 18" & lowered. There are ppl who have gone 18" with coilovers who have reported far improved handling & as good if not better ride.

I agree with above. If you're looking to keep the tyres the same, then changing wheels seems a little wasteful. I reckon that eventually you'll want to change wheels and rubber, the stock tyres are intentionally slippery. The sweet spot for a good ride, handling and still being able to easily break traction seems to be 225/40x18. maybe look around at 18x8 or 18x8.5 wheels and 225/40 combinations.


BUT in answering your question directly:

the 215/45 tyres that are on the factory wheels already have a very mild stretch, so if you went to a wider rim (the 8" or 9") you will stretch the tyre even more. I think the 9" wide one is out of the question.

If you are going to do this I would recommend the 17x7 +38 wheel; This will keep tyre fitment much the same but will push those skinny wheels further out, filling the factory guards a little more.

17x8 may work well with the tyre depending on what look you are going for, but will stretch the tyre more than what it is already. The +35 offset here will give you the most aggressive fitment/look and i would go for that myself over the +47.

The 17x9 combo, really only leaves you with one option, the 2 lower offsets of +17 and +28 will poke out past the guards and may cause problems, so you'd have to go for the +38 offest there, but keep in mind that 9" is roughly 230mm and the factory tyre is only 215mm so thats a whopping stretch and probably not a good idea.

Have you considered having the factory wheels painted/powder coated if you just want a different look? Powder coated black or bronze and add some coloured wheel nuts and it will make a big difference.

Thanks guys. Made me rethink what I wanted to do. Perhaps powder coating them is the way to go if I am keeping stock tyres, and when they are due for replacement I will upgrade. Coilovers will need to go in then.

I just did not want to worsen the performance there is an article/ magazine that tried laptimes with default wheels and then swapped to 18 inch which resulted in slower track times and terminal velocity. Obviously lots of variables involved and no coilovers used.

Anyone know where in Melbourne I could powder coat them? How much would it cost?

When you change wheel/tyre package try to keep as close as possible to the stock rolling diameter as a big deviation will show up in car speed. Eg: stock GTS = 625.3mm, the size Dan mentioned above = 637.2mm so a greater OD of 12mm which is OK but anything greater than this such as 20mm or more will throw gearing out slightly & you will lose the safe 3kmh buffer in your speedo.

I would also imagine that sticker rubber would achieve faster lap times if simply just replaced with same size.

I have seen some factory GTS wheels powder coated and they look great. Really changes the look of the wheels and is a pretty cheap upgrade if you are keeping the factory tyres.

When you want performance tyres then look at better offsets and widths.

Do you have pics? What did it cost you if you dont mind me asking?

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...ht=painted+oem

Here is a good thread on painted OEM wheels. They really do transform the look.

I know the Kiwami isn't available in this size, but my wheels are 17x8 +42 fitted on stock tyres. They do stretch a little, but nothing too silly. Having said that, 8" wide rims would be the max you should go if using stock tyres. Anything more and you need to go 235.

Between the choices you have (for using with stock tyres), here are my opinions:
1) 17x7 +38: Second choice. Pushes wheels outwards by 10mm
2) 17x7 +47: Stock appearance. Does nothing to fill wheel arch.
3) 17x7 +53: Avoid. Retracts wheels inwards by 5mm.
4) 17x8 +35: Pushes wheels outwards by 26mm. Might be too much?
5) 17x8 +47: First choice. Pushes wheels outwards by 14mm.
6) 17x9 (any offset): Out of question if using stock tyres.

I've purchased wheels from www.jdmconcept.com.au and would recommend them. Getting your stock wheels power coated properly isn't exactly cheap and you're not doing anything to fill up the wheel arches. Perhaps you could get some plastidip and spray your factory wheels first to see whether you like it. If you don't, at least you can just peel the colour off.