235 stuffed on 17x7?

ctompkins5 · Post by **ctompkins5** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:48 am

Brian, can I fit/stuff a 235/40/17 T1R on the stock 17x7 inch NC wheel? I'm looking to do this because I want to run them in the winter to keep all the winter crud off of my Enkei GTC01s. The T1Rs do fine in the weather I get here, but I'm always worried about my wheels. I am lowered on the Eibach Pro/Bilstein and cambered about 1.2 degrees.

Thanks

v67gsr · Post by **v67gsr** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:03 am

It will fit but it is not the ideal size.

You will experience less responsive steering input and feedback.

AFAIK, T1R has relatively soft side wall to start with. You may experience even less response and feedback.

Post by **Brian** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:35 am

As noted above, you can do it...though it will feel sloppy.

ctompkins5 · Post by **ctompkins5** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:16 pm

Thanks Guys. So is 215 or 225 about the widest you would recommend on a 7 inch rim?

rmbx5 · Post by **rmbx5** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:51 pm

the 225 is a good size for a 17x7 rim.

sloopercat · Post by **sloopercat** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:33 pm

I put 225/45's on the 6.5 inch 16 inch rims, they were horribly sloppy. Bumping up the pressure did not help and made grip worse. Same tires on 8 inch rims are perfect at 28psi.

My experience with the T-1R is to put the narrowest tire size that is recommended for that rim size for the best handling. The 225/45/16 was spec'd for a 8 inch rim max. Also look at the load rating, there are various load ratings available in some sizes too. The higher load rating is the stiffer tire. I have 93W reinforced tires. Same size was available in a 87W rating.

I would go with the 215's on a 7 inch rim. More go, less show.

Post by **Brian** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:42 pm

I agree, 215s on that 17x7

Mark Hirt · Post by **Mark Hirt** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:50 am

All that said.. The 235/40-17 Bridgestone RE-01R fits great and does NOT make the car "sloppy"

I found the best pressure to be 28 on either my MS-R or my old 06 Sport

sloopercat · Post by **sloopercat** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:47 pm

T-1R is a different tire, rim size matters. Mark your tires have a much stiffer sidewall. But I bet they would feel much better on a 9 inch rim.

Mark Hirt · Post by **Mark Hirt** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:21 pm

Yes a much different (and slower) tire. I'm pretty sure the stones would work better on a 8 or 9" rim but even when I run m street tires SCCA rules force me to use a 7" rim, not that there is anything wrong with that