265/35R18 on 18x8.5 +45

[dale_gribble]

Couple notes before pics here.

You pretty much have to have the right combo of tire/wheel/offset/roll/pull/camber. Not just any 265 would have cleared, I had to do a spreadsheet of section widths/heights and find a smaller running 265 (Sumitomo HTR Z III). A large running 265 would 100% cause rubbing issues on inside front knuckles and rear fenders.

This setup clears a few mm on the inside knuckle (~3mm) up front and maybe 1-2mm on the back fender with a roll/light pull/-1.5 camber.

Minimum specified wheel width of 265/35 is 9". I did a ton of research on this. A lot of EVO/STi guys that track their setups run 265s on their OEM wheels. They seemed to like it.

This wasn't something I had to do. I was up for tires and wanted to try something different. I got some UHP Sumitomo HTR z III.

Steering feedback is awesome. I instantly noticed a little more wandering on the highway, the setup kind of hunts down the road. I guess the tires must be a little wider than the worn grooves on the highway. I can't wait for a canyon run.

[Mazdazilla6]

Oh. My. Lord.

Yes please. I love how it looks, what is your ride height at? (Center of wheel to fender)

[dale_gribble]

Originally Posted by Mazdazilla6 Oh. My. Lord. Yes please. I love how it looks, what is your ride height at? (Center of wheel to fender)

I'm on H&Rs and Bilsteins. I can take a measurement later.

[phate]

Stuffing a wide tire on a narrow wheel doesn't gain you anything but sloppy sidewalls and decreased response. The higher pressure it requires to keep the sidewalls from rolling over decreases grip.

A 245 wide sticky tire on that wheel would gain you more response and grip than a wider/less grippy tire.

[dale_gribble]

Originally Posted by phate Stuffing a wide tire on a narrow wheel doesn't gain you anything but sloppy sidewalls and decreased response. The higher pressure it requires to keep the sidewalls from rolling over decreases grip. A 245 wide sticky tire on that wheel would gain you more response and grip than a wider/less grippy tire.

Cool, thanks.

[MazdaspeedKills]

Nothing like throwing poop at someone's parade

[JakeMS3]

Looks good dude! What psi are you running on front/rear?

[dale_gribble]

35psi fr/rr. Will dial in when I run them around a bit.

[Code Monkey]

That knuckle clearance is good news, I thought we had to go with 5mm closer max, but your setup is 15mm closer.

[Neverlift]

Originally Posted by dale_gribble I did a ton of research on this. A lot of EVO/STi guys that track their setups run 265s on their OEM wheels. They seemed to like it.

Please stop going to Evo/STi guys for advice or "research." It's the blind leading the blind as evident by running 265's on OEM wheels, and no one is sharp enough to question it.

We are certainly guilty of the same over here @ MSF, so I am not casting any stones I wouldn't otherwise cast this direction.

For DD & such, the setup certainly works, but you have not increased response or lateral grip so don't be disillusioned into thinking you have made improvements in those areas.

[dale_gribble]

Originally Posted by Neverlift Please stop going to Evo/STi guys for advice or "research." It's the blind leading the blind as evident by running 265's on OEM wheels, and no one is sharp enough to question it. For DD & such, the setup certainly works, but you have not increased response or lateral grip so don't be disillusioned into thinking you have made any improvements in those areas.

Fair statement on EVO/STi guys.

Definitely not disillusioned in the least. It was a do it to see if I could since no one else has kind of exercise which is also why I got a cheaper low treadwear UHP setup. Just doing all of the measurements for fitment was fun and seeing it work how I planned.

The setup will be fine for my DD and occasional canyon runs. I'll burn through them in a year and move on, if the car doesn't implode first.

[dale_gribble]

Originally Posted by Code Monkey That knuckle clearance is good news, I thought we had to go with 5mm closer max, but your setup is 15mm closer.

Here's clearance off the knuckle.

[Emew]

Get ouuuuutta here!...I like it

[zenit]

Originally Posted by dale_gribble Here's clearance off the knuckle.

What's the rear clearance look like?


All judgement should have stopped when the OP stated this:

This wasn't something I had to do. I was up for tires and wanted to try something different. I got some UHP Sumitomo HTR z III.

[dale_gribble]

Originally Posted by zenit What's the rear clearance look like?

Inside clearance is fine. Fender clears by 1-2mm or so at full compression. This is with a full rear roll, shaved down rear bumper mounts and a slight pull. As Goldmember would say it's toight, yes, yes, very toight.

I understand where the race guys are coming from. It's isn't necessarily an optimum setup for performance and they wanted to be clear of that. Again, to quote Goldmember-

[connor_cwp]

I fapped. Twice.

Seriously, that looks so fucking mean.

[zenit]

Originally Posted by dale_gribble [rear] Inside clearance is fine.

Meaning, similar to the fronts?

[speedfreak44]

I have those tires and am far from a fan of their straight line performance but honestly when throwing the car around turns they handle surprisingly well. Good choice on a 6 in my opinion. Great bang for the buck

[Neverlift]

Originally Posted by zenit All judgement should have stopped when the OP stated this:

We (I) would judge you the same way if you decided one dick in the ass was not enough, and that you wanted 3 or maybe even 5, simply because you wanted to try something new after researching on the gay midget clown forums. Then say you followed up your experiment with the proclaimation that the prostate feedback was incredible.

It would be an envious judgement, but judgement all the same (which you should embrace).

Welcome to MSF

265 on 8.5 is a bat signal for my opinion

[dale_gribble]

FWIW, I hugged along a few turns and highway interchanges yesterday at faster speeds and more confidently than the 235/40 nittos. The sidewalls felt more solid and traction was plentiful. The ride is a little rougher commensurate with the enhanced cornering experience.

I won't say that is just from tire size, but the Sumitomo's must run a stiffer sidewall. I didn't give anything up from previous setup.

[anavrinIV]

Originally Posted by dale_gribble FWIW, I hugged along a few turns and highway interchanges yesterday at faster speeds and more confidently than the 235/40 nittos. The sidewalls felt more solid and traction was plentiful. The ride is a little rougher commensurate with the enhanced cornering experience. I won't say that is just from tire size, but the Sumitomo's must run a stiffer sidewall. I didn't give anything up from previous setup.

Which nittos?

[dale_gribble]

Neo Gens.

[anavrinIV]

Okay...so those are completely different types of tires. I've had 2 sets of nittos that I loved (invos and NT05s) and a current pair of motivos that I hate. But the ZIIIs and Neogens are pretty far apart on the grip spectrum I believe

[dale_gribble]

280AA Treadwear for Nittos, 300AA for Sumitomos, both UHP summer Y rated. I would say they are comparable.

[anavrinIV]

Neogens are all seasons according to nitto

[dale_gribble]

Oh. Pretty sticky tho. I like them. Motivos are passenger car tires at best. I had them on for like two weeks and returned them. They were like driving on marshmallows.

[anavrinIV]

I didn't pick them out they came with the car. Fine for daily tires...I have a second set of wheels with nt05s when I need that kind of grip.

[Finchee]

What are the benefits from a daily driving perspective with tires as wide as these? You've already mentioned it corners better. How are the 60-100 times affected? I am assuming the wider tires will increase drag at higher speeds and possibly affect MPG?

[dale_gribble]

There are no benefits from daily driving this wide of tire. 60-100mph times probably will be the same, mileage will probably suffer.

[WetzMS3]

Originally Posted by Neverlift We (I) would judge you the same way if you decided one dick in the ass was not enough, and that you wanted 3 or maybe even 5, simply because you wanted to try something new after researching on the gay midget clown forums. Then say you followed up your experiment with the proclaimation that the prostate feedback was incredible. It would be an envious judgement, but judgement all the same (which you should embrace). Welcome to MSF 265 on 8.5 is a bat signal for my opinion

I don't think @zenit; was trying to be judgmental. He may not have taken 5 dicks in experimentation like @dale_gribble;, but he's gotten up to 3 if not 4 with his 10" autox wheels wrapped in 255. I can't find a picture in any of his threads now, but I seent it with my own two eyes.

[impossible]

Sumitomo's definitely run small which is why that 265/35 barely bulges on your 8.5", I ran 265 595 RS-R's on a 18x9" +38 wheel on my Gen1 and they bulge

[dale_gribble]

The Sumitomo is basically a slightly taller 255/35. It runs about .25" narrower than others. That was a part of my research stuff for the fit. I compared a lot of tires, but what I remember is that BFGs run stupid wide. They are like .25" in the other direction.

Who would have thought stuffing some meats would be as polarizing as running a 225 on a 10" wide rim?

[impossible]

I want to try 255/35 Toyo R888's next, now those run stupid wide!

[aviator79]

Props for fitting them but with PSSs running about the same installed for 245s seems silly to go with HTR Z IIIs unless for drifting. Or maybe you got them for super cheap.

[speedfreak44]

Htrz III are wayyyyy cheaper than pss. I swapped to them from my pss because they were almost half the cost. I paid $500 for my htrz and the pss were 900

[aviator79]

$500 installed? That would be pretty good but I have never run them so IDK. I almost did and know they are a good tire for the money but so are PSSs.

I looked on tire rack and the HTRZs are ~$600 shipped for 265s. Assume $100 to install so $700. 245 HTRZs are $70 less but I would still be looking at $600 installed. I got my 245 PSSs for $776 installed at costco. Same price now. For that small difference and with costco warranty PSS worth it IMO.

[speedfreak44]

I paid $518 installed for 245/45-17 at my local shop and they carry an awesome warranty. I ran the pss and these back to back so I can vouch that these are equally as good as the pss on dry cornering traction but pss beats these in the wet. Also the htrz are really lacking in straight line department. I am able to break these loose with a 3rd gear roll on with my k04

[aviator79]

Ya thats a good a pretty good deal.

And the straight line traction could be fixed other ways...

also:

I like the look of the wider tire but the fact that the HTRZs are narrower might also be a reason they handle good as probably a better fit on 8.5" wide rim in terms of sidewall but thats above my pay grade.

And as someone posted before there doesn't seem to be much bulge on the 265s.

[ericrapp0507@gmail.com]

i got no problem with Dale trying some new shit.
I am all about rotational mass meself. and superior traction in my little speed 3.
no one notices the wheels and tires at 160

except me.
looking good Gribble !

[Quigs]

Originally Posted by dale_gribble 280AA Treadwear for Nittos, 300AA for Sumitomos, both UHP summer Y rated. I would say they are comparable.

Treadwear ratings don't translate the same across tire brands, so the two tires could potentially not be as close as you think. For example, a 300 treadwear rating for Nitto is not the same as a 300 treadwear rating for Sumitomo. Treadwear is not a standardized measurement in the tire industry.

Either way, I think the car looks good if nothing else. I've run the Sumitomos before on other cars and they are a pretty decent cheaper tire. Props for doing all the math and trying something just to see if it will work. Performance gain or not, it's still cool to see.