smaller wheels

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hondansxr
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smaller wheels

Post by hondansxr »

so i got the 8 running well (omp replaced from rx specialist in coventry , nice guy )
the wheels were crap so were the front tyres (autoguard) so i put my spare winter set on there 17" with winter tyres wow what a diff , noise ride and roadholding . Has anyone else gone down to 17" ...if so any pics
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by warpc0il »

Mazda offered 17" wheels specifically for fitting winter tyres.
wheels.jpg
The higher sidewall complies better over snow and 17" winter tyres are much cheaper and more available than 18".
Has the added benefit of being slightly less likely to damage the rims by kerbing.

With the correct 225/50R17 tyres fitted, the rolling diameter is almost identical to 225/45R18, at least close enough to keep the speedo and gearing happy, though you can't mix front/rear without upsetting ABS/TCS/DSC .
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by xamtex »

my mazda 3 has 17 inch rims as std with the same pcd as rx8 rims,not sure on width though...they have 205/50 17s on as std.
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by Paul_13 »

Have a look at MX5 NC also.

If the rolling circumference changes, you can reprogram the PCM to the new value with Forscan.

And yes you cannot mix front and rear sizes. Even having different brand tyres front to rear was upsetting my DSC.
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by MARKTHOMASBRAND »

xamtex wrote:
Fri Oct 25, 2019 11:44 am
my mazda 3 has 17 inch rims as std with the same pcd as rx8 rims,not sure on width though...they have 205/50 17s on as std.
Those will have a smaller rolling radius than the standard RX8 tyres & will likely only be 7J on the width :p

You also need to look @ offset as well as PCD when considering swapping wheels over :)

If you gave some more details on your Mazda 3 (age/model) it would help :idea:
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by xamtex »

its a 2005 mazda 3 sport with the twin cam 16valve 2.0 litre 150 bhp engine.
im not sure of the offset but my pz rims fit perfectly on it.
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by xamtex »

just looked in the manual... 61/2 j rims. not really wide enough for the 8.
i wonder what rims went on the turbo version like carl the manc has?
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by MARKTHOMASBRAND »

xamtex wrote:
Sat Oct 26, 2019 2:24 am
i wonder what rims went on the turbo version like carl the manc has?
The following I think...

Wheel

7Jx18 ET50


Tyre

215/45ZR18 91W
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by xamtex »

ah i see
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by MARKTHOMASBRAND »

Carl (TheManc) doesn't get on here much these days but Nigel had a 2011 Mazda 3 MPS & would be able to confirm :thumleft:
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by mi60o0 »

I have set of 17 with winter tyres I won't use.
All 4 tyres are superb wheel could do with refurb but perfectly straight.
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by Lemon »

my track wheels are 17" 17x8 front and 17x9 rear running a 235/45 17 all round.
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by TheManc »

MARKTHOMASBRAND wrote:
Sat Oct 26, 2019 2:08 pm
Carl (TheManc) doesn't get on here much these days but Nigel had a 2011 Mazda 3 MPS & would be able to confirm :thumleft:
Mix and match I have my PZ alloys on the car 225 40 18 on the front and 224 45 18 at the rear.The fronts aren't the correct tyre but more or less the same radius
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by Django91 »

So with reference to design 34 in the image, does that mean those wheels had a staggered setup front to rear tyre size wise.
Or did you just have the option of 235/40r18 on that wheel?

Thanks in advance
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by warpc0il »

Staggered doesn't work on the 8.
Must be the same all round.

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Re: smaller wheels

Post by Dr. FrankenRex »

warpc0il wrote:
Thu Oct 31, 2019 1:07 pm
Staggered doesn't work on the 8.
Must be the same all round.

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sweeping statement is sweeping.

I've run staggered on an 8 and it works just fine, ta. You have to be careful in choosing the tyres so that the rolling diameter isn't a problem, but to say "It doesn't work" would be a bit over board.

The only other point that is worth taking note of is the suspension geometry of the 8. As standard it was designed for a square tyre setup, so you may find that putting wider boots on the rear may unbalance the handling, cause a little more understeer etc. etc. - as long as you are aware of this, and either accept it or make other changes to facilitate it, then crack on. I've tracked an 8 with staggered tyres a few times, I didn't like it, but as always others mileage will vary.
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by Honkytonk »

Dan, out of interest what did you mix? I'm toying with the idea of trying out the replacement of one pair of OEM size (225/40) with 235/45, with a second pair to follow later on (essentially as a partial upgrade to spread the cost on my poor wallet).

I'd be interested to hear if you did similar - Bearing in mind I'm on the PZ geometry (or at least should be barring what the local potholes have to say about it), so your findings may not be as applicable if you were on coilovers at the time etc., but I'd be interested nevertheless.
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by Conan »

Go 235 x 40 all round
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by Dr. FrankenRex »

I used 245/35R19 and 225/40R19. Something like a 0.4% difference so practically negligible in terms of rolling diameter and caused no issues for the TCS etc., but it did make the car want to understeer a little which wasn't to my taste.

Now I'm running 255/35R19s all round - because they were cheaper to buy and offer some rim protection - and find the turn in better and the balance mid-corner to be very good. I can tweak it with a bit of left foot braking and can also pivot on the throttle a bit too.

It is worth noting that the suspension on my car isn't standard, neither are the ARBs which will of course affect the balance of the car at the limit. I'm running standard R3 shocks, Eibach lowering springs and Racing Beat ARBs - although at the time of the test I was running stock ARBs.
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by Eddie_r32 »

warpc0il wrote:
Thu Oct 31, 2019 1:07 pm
Staggered doesn't work on the 8.
Must be the same all round.

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Staggered were fine on mine and on many others cars, 245 35 and 255 35 18. Not one issues, didn't try and kill me or destroy the handling of the car.
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Re: smaller wheels

Post by warpc0il »

Let me clarify "Must be the same rolling diameter all around"
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