Staggered tire question

[gramicci101]

Good people of the Wheel and Tire section,

It's my turn to ask a stupid question! I did search already, and I've been all over most of the forum by now, I just wanted to nail down a few more things before deciding on staggered vs. square for my car.

First, my driving style. I'd say it's 60% commuting, 35% spirited, and 5% mountain/canyon roads. No autocross, HPDE, or track days. I'm trying to choose between 18x8.5+48f/+40r with 235/40's all around, and 18x8.5+40 with 235/40's on the front and 18x9.5+40 with 265/35's on the back. The car will be lowered on RCE Yellows, so 20mm down.

Now, my question. Aside from looking cool, and it does look cool, are there any benefits to running staggered tire widths?

Are there any cons to running staggered tire widths? Logic suggests that there will be more understeer, but comments from other users have said that there is minimal, if any, additional understeer, and even if there was it could be compensated for by using different swaybars. The car will have more rotational mass, so it'll be a little slower. But I'm not at the track trying to eke out that last tenth of a second, so will it really affect me?

If I've missed something obvious, feel free to point and laugh.

Thanks,
jeff

[FunCon5]

I have staggered tires. 225/45 & 245/40. I am going to go 245 all around here in a few miles. (the fronts are almost done)

I had staggered rims & tires on my S2000 also. The S2000 came staggered, unlike the FR-S.

Here are some of my thoughts...

I would either go 225/40 all around on the 8.5's or 245/35 all around. 235/40 is taller, and a rare size. (OK semi-rare)

Staggered wheels and tires look awesome! I like wider tires on the back. If this is the look you are going for, Do It!

I don't think a stock FR-S (200hp) is going to benefit from being staggered or 265 width tires. (you said no AutoX or anything like that)

A staggered setup is going to lower your mpg and acceleration. The rear wheels and tires are going to be heavier. I have listed a few sizes below of Michelin Pilot Super Sports. As you can see the 265 is 3lbs heavier, the 9.5 is also X-amount lbs heavier. So the rear is, lets say 5lbs heavier, you will notice this compared to a lighter weight wheel and tire combo.

GOOD LUCK!


MPSS tire weights: (per tirerack)

225/40/18 = 22lbs
235/40/18 = 23lbs.
245/35/18 = 23lbs.
265/35/18 = 26lbs.

This tire calculator really helps get the same size (or close enough) outside diameter tires for a staggered set up. Or for plus sizing.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos

tire weight Linky:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

[gramicci101]

The 235/40 is .8 inches greater than stock in diameter. A 235/35 is .2 inches smaller than stock, but they're even harder to find unless I want to spring for Pirelli P Zeros. Interestingly, the 265/35 and 235/40 are .1 inches different.

For 225/40 I'll need to get an 8" front wheel, which isn't a problem. They're about .4 taller than stock. I'd get 255/35 in the back, as they're right about the same overall diameter.

The benefit of doing 245's all around vs. 235/265's would basically be handling?

[FunCon5]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

The 235/40 is .8 inches greater than stock in diameter. A 235/35 is .2 inches smaller than stock, but they're even harder to find unless I want to spring for Pirelli P Zeros. Interestingly, the 265/35 and 235/40 are .1 inches different.

For 225/40 I'll need to get an 8" front wheel, which isn't a problem. They're about .4 taller than stock. I'd get 255/35 in the back, as they're right about the same overall diameter.

The benefit of doing 245's all around vs. 235/265's would basically be handling?

Yeah, forget the 235/35 size. A 225/40 will fit fine on a 8.5. I have run this size tire and wheel on my Acura RL and Acura legend back in the day.

This forum member has a staggered set up with 225/40 255/35 tires on 8.5 and 9.5's. I think the tires fit nicely on the wheels.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58897

What rims are you thinking about?

A 245 all around will enable tire rotation and be lighter weight. The staggered setup is going to be for looks.

And honestly, the difference in handling will be small. I think that it will be imperceptible during casual driving.

Rolling resistance and tire weight does affect MPG. When I went from the 215/45 to a 245/40 my mpg went down about 3mpg. Something to consider...

[gramicci101]

I've looked at that car a fair amount, and most of the other cars on the wheel fitment guide in my range. I've also looked at Shiumai's car, since he's got the same size wheels, tires, and drop I was thinking about. Same car color, too. link

I think I may go with 245s all the way around. I'm looking at bronze rota torques. Staggered would be 18x8.5+40/18x9.5+40, square would be 18x8.5+40 and maybe spacers on the back.

[f0rge]

I've run staggered on my last 2 cars, there's been no real downside.

Since you can't rotate you buy rear tires twice as often, but fronts half as often.

[WolfsFang]

Originally Posted by f0rge

I've run staggered on my last 2 cars, there's been no real downside.

Since you can't rotate you buy rear tires twice as often, but fronts half as often.

Or you can just take off the rear tires and rotate them. As you see on my pic my left side is worn out more so im just going to go to a tire shop and have them switch the tires around, better deal then buying new tires.