18x9.5, Meaty tires, and Autocross/Track Days

[WC-BRZ]

It seems to be a bit of a hit or miss after going through the "meaty tire" thread. Some say they have rubbing at full lock, others not so much.

Just wanting to check in with 86 owners who have this setup and whether you ran into excessive rubbing/bumping (bumper tabs, inner liner etc.) during autocross and/or track days.

(Note: please let's not turn this into another "but-wider-contact-patch-doesn't-equal-more-lateral-grip, it's-the-tire-compound-that-matters" pissing contest)

Thanks for the feedback.

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by WC-BRZ

It seems to be a bit of a hit or miss after going through the "meaty tire" thread. Some say they have rubbing at full lock, others not so much.

Just wanting to check in with 86 owners who have this setup and whether you ran into excessive rubbing/bumping (bumper tabs, inner liner etc.) during autocross and/or track days.

(Note: please let's not turn this into another "but-wider-contact-patch-doesn't-equal-more-lateral-grip, it's-the-tire-compound-that-matters" pissing contest)

Thanks for the feedback.

If you will rub or not depends on the offset of the wheels, the suspension mods you have, and the tire you choose.


To run 18x9.5 wheels with a higher offset than +38 you will need coilovers. (you may need +35 offset wheels with drop springs)


You will need camber front and rear.


235/40/18 have been known to fit on +38 wheels on stock suspension.



245/35/18 is a great size tire, fits without issues and is OEM diameter.

255/35/18 is the widest that fits normally without rubbing.


265/35/18 fits, but will rub on the bumper tab. (till its gone or till you trim it)




Those are basically the parameters.

[WC-BRZ]

Originally Posted by Leonardo

If you will rub or not depends on the offset of the wheels, the suspension mods you have, and the tire you choose.


To run 18x9.5 wheels with a higher offset than +38 you will need coilovers. (you may need +35 offset wheels with drop springs)


You will need camber front and rear.


235/40/18 have been known to fit on +38 wheels on stock suspension.



245/35/18 is a great size tire, fits without issues and is OEM diameter.

255/35/18 is the widest that fits normally without rubbing.


265/35/18 fits, but will rub on the bumper tab. (till its gone or till you trim it)




Those are basically the parameters.

Thank you.

Yes, 255's would be it as I was already thinking. It's just that in the other "meaty tire" thread it seemed some were saying they have rubbing issues with 255's and I'd imagine - as you also already alluded to - is due to alignment settings and wheel offset.

And, yes, this would happen with a set of coilovers for sure.