Wheel Directory: SSR Competition 17x8.0 +38

[Enigmus]

Bought a used set of SSR Competitions at a deal I couldn't pass up despite the previous owner not knowing if the offset is +39 or +40 (japanese label). Either way I knew it would poke out just enough. Gunmetal with polished lip at 14lbs a pop!
**Confirmed to be +38 used on VW Corrados**








I chose Sumitomo HTR Z III 235/45r17 because I'm still new to autocross and couldn't justify burning through a set of RS3, Kumho XS or Dunlop Star
specs just yet. I saw a set of 255/40r17 star specs on 17x8 rpf1 and it looked pinched. I doubt a car as light as the frs would really need all that much surface space to handle autocross duties well at least from a casual autoXer's viewpoint. Still waiting on getting a set of BC BR coilovers so until then my friends will relentlessly call it the 4x4 GT86

Will update with better photos during the day later! Maybe a photoshop of a drop!

7/15/12 Found out the actual offset. Thanks schtebie!
Some quick daytime photos:

[Enigmus]

Photoshopped. Too much of a drop?

[jeebus]

why didn't you go with a 235/40/17? That would be much closer to stock rolling diameter.

[ChrisOkc8]

Looks good. Love those wheels.

[DarrenDriven]

Hmmm... SSR website shows that the 17x8.0 with 5x100 is only available in +49 offset.

http://www.ssr-wheels.com/wheels/typec_171819.asp

[Enigmus]

Originally Posted by jeebus

why didn't you go with a 235/40/17? That would be much closer to stock rolling diameter.

I assumed that the stock Michelins were 215/45/17 that it wouldn't change in overall size with 235/45/17. Plus 235/40/17 were more expensive because of limited tire selections.

Originally Posted by ChrisOkc8

Looks good. Love those wheels.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by DarrenDriven

Hmmm... SSR website shows that the 17x8.0 with 5x100 is only available in +49 offset.

http://www.ssr-wheels.com/wheels/typec_171819.asp

Exactly! I was pretty skeptical about the offset after seeing that chart. The previous owner didn't know the exact offset since it came with a VW Corrado he bought. But I don't see any Type-C rims in gunmetal just the older competition models so i figured it was a discontinued name/offset/color. From the poke I doubt it's really +49 which leads me to believe it could be closer to +38 to +40. I can't be sure until I get someone to measure it.

I checked for any inner barrel labels and none of them have them. Just some random Japanese patent and production number label on the other barrels. They're also 14.5 lbs which are almost a pound lighter than today's Type-C models. Even the center caps are different. Really would hope someone could enlighten us on the comp/type c rims. Either way I'm glad they fit!

[schtebie]

Originally Posted by Enigmus

I assumed that the stock Michelins were 215/45/17 that it wouldn't change in overall size with 235/45/17. Plus 235/40/17 were more expensive because of limited tire selections.

Thanks!

Exactly! I was pretty skeptical about the offset after seeing that chart. The previous owner didn't know the exact offset since it came with a VW Corrado he bought. But I don't see any Type-C rims in gunmetal just the older competition models so i figured it was a discontinued name/offset/color. From the poke I doubt it's really +49 which leads me to believe it could be closer to +38 to +40. I can't be sure until I get someone to measure it.

I checked for any inner barrel labels and none of them have them. Just some random Japanese patent and production number label on the other barrels. They're also 14.5 lbs which are almost a pound lighter than today's Type-C models. Even the center caps are different. Really would hope someone could enlighten us on the comp/type c rims. Either way I'm glad they fit!

They look to be the 17x8 SSR Competitions that TireRack used to carry once upon a time. If that's the case, the offset should be +38 I believe. They were really popular with the VW crowd when they were available.

[Enigmus]

Originally Posted by schtebie

They look to be the 17x8 SSR Competitions that TireRack used to carry once upon a time. If that's the case, the offset should be +38 I believe. They were really popular with the VW crowd when they were available.

Thanks for the info! I'll update it now!

[DarrenDriven]

Yeah, I didn't think they looked like +49s either. We'll go with +38.

[armythug]

Very nice wheels OP they look great on your car. I used to live in Metairie so I'm familiar with the high driveway curbs there. How low are you planning to go? And be careful of the pot holes in the rain!!! lol. :happy0180:

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by Enigmus

I assumed that the stock Michelins were 215/45/17 that it wouldn't change in overall size with 235/45/17. Plus 235/40/17 were more expensive because of limited tire selections.

ah, just FYI you assumed incorrectly. the "45" portion of the tire size is not a direct indication of sidewall height. "45" actually indicates that the sidewall is 45% as tall as the tires are wide. So if the tire is 215mm wide, the sidewall is 215 x .45 = 96.75mm (3.8in) tall. By stepping up to a 235/45, you are now running a sidewall that is 235 x .45 = 105.75mm (4.2in) tall. Since there are technically two sidewalls in a circle (the bottom and the top), you multiply the sidewall height by 2, so 8.4in now vs 7.6in before.

Effectively, you increased the overall diameter by .8in. You may or may not care about the effects of said change, but it will throw the speedometer off by ~ 3%, and change your effective final drive ratio (making it taller), therefore reducing torque output to the ground by a bit.

[FT86R]

looks great lowerd man good job rims are sexy

[Enigmus]

Originally Posted by armythug

Very nice wheels OP they look great on your car. I used to live in Metairie so I'm familiar with the high driveway curbs there. How low are you planning to go? And be careful of the pot holes in the rain!!! lol. :happy0180:

thanks! since my tires raised my height by .5 inches as calculated above by jeebus i'm thinking about a 1.4 inch drop give or take. yes living here in the new orleans metro area you have to memorize every pothole and sunken patches of road like the back of your hand! then again i drive rather slow and only push it at the autocross!

Originally Posted by jeebus

ah, just FYI you assumed incorrectly. the "45" portion of the tire size is not a direct indication of sidewall height. "45" actually indicates that the sidewall is 45% as tall as the tires are wide. So if the tire is 215mm wide, the sidewall is 215 x .45 = 96.75mm (3.8in) tall. By stepping up to a 235/45, you are now running a sidewall that is 235 x .45 = 105.75mm (4.2in) tall. Since there are technically two sidewalls in a circle (the bottom and the top), you multiply the sidewall height by 2, so 8.4in now vs 7.6in before.

Effectively, you increased the overall diameter by .8in. You may or may not care about the effects of said change, but it will throw the speedometer off by ~ 3%, and change your effective final drive ratio (making it taller), therefore reducing torque output to the ground by a bit.

Thanks for clearing it up for me! I'll get a set of 235/40 next time or maybe try 225/45 star specs once i tear through these current ones. I learn something new everyday!

Originally Posted by FT86R

looks great lowerd man good job rims are sexy

thanks! if it could only make me sandwich....

[giraffee]

Originally Posted by Enigmus

Photoshopped. Too much of a drop?

Have you gotten around to lowering it yet? (if you were going to) Just wondering about clearance/rubbing issues now & after
Wheels looks great btw, very much what I'm after