[Spartarus]

Well, it's about that time... I'm going to stop putting tires on the stock wheels.

It's time to replace them.

There are all kinds of guides for fitment, dimensions, and a whole directory of wheels, but there's no definitive information on what's going to rub and where.

Does anybody know the offset limit where the a wheel/tire of stock size and width will rub at full compression, full lock, or both? Here's a little more information:

I hate the way the stock wheels are hiding way back there in the wheel wells. It looks like garbage. I'm staying with 17x7's, and the stock 215/45 size, but I'd like to pull them further out toward the fenders. Thinking of picking up Motegi Racing MR221 2-piece in a custom offset. I like the weight and the design.

I know this will initially alter the wheel rate for the same spring rate, and it will change the scrub radius. I will be replacing the entire suspension with an adjustable setup, but I want to be free to make adjustments based on performance and handling, not to tuck in wheels that don't fit properly.

I'm an engine guy, not a suspension guy. I'm new to most of this. If nobody knows the answer, I will do the only thing I know how to do: measure for myself. I will put the car on a lift, pull the stock suspension, find full travel for all 4 dampers. I will then crack them open, remove the springs, reinstall them, and bolt the wheels up. I will then use a floor jack to compress each corner of the suspension and do my own measuring.

I know it's not realistic to expect nothing to rub anywhere ever, and if you're worried about full lock and compression at the same time, you're probably a passenger at that point anyway. Some advice there from people who know about that would be helpful. Again, I do engines, not suspension. I can tell you all about valve springs, but nobody has ever suggested "lowering springs" for those.

Also, If I've overlooked something, tell me. If I'm going to DQ from most competitions by changing the offset, I'm going to be sad. If altering the offset can't be properly compensated by spring, damping, and alignment alterations, explain why.