Bigger tyres on alloys to fill wheel arch gap?

[s_purs]

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody had any pictures of a standard height LC or LCR that has bigger than standard tyres on it? Surely this would help fill the wheel arches out more and reduce the need to lower the car?

For example I was looking for a set of 18" alloys to replace my 17" starfishes, but a lot seem to come with a 225/40 tire on them as standard rather than the 225/45 I have on my 17s. I was thinking about 225/45 or 225/55 on an 18" wheel to help fill out the arches as I dont want to lower my car. Would this work the way I am imagining?

Are there any down sides?

Cheers

 

[dtmwelburn]

theyre a lower aspect ratio to compensate for the difference in rolling circumference of the wheel with each tyre, so your speedo is right, otherwise youll have to have your speedo adjusted for the new wheelsize to put it easier, when you put your 18" wheel against your 17" they should be the same overall size or your speedo will be incorrect and im sure you dont want any speeding fines when you dont know your speeding.

Hope this helps

Dan

 

[s_purs]

how much would it cost to get a speedo adjusted? could still be worth it over the price and hassle of lowering? plus i dont want to lower my car at all

 

[dtmwelburn]

I suppose its all down to personal preference, im not sure of price of the adjustment mate as ive never had it done, would have to have a word with dealer i suppose or maybe one of the guys on here may be able to recommend a few places,

Dan

 

[LEE69]

how much would it cost to get a speedo adjusted? could still be worth it over the price and hassle of lowering? plus i dont want to lower my car at all

Just use a sat nav to give you key speeds ie 30 50 70 130 (lol) then remember where on the dash it was

 

[Murdered LCR]

Cut the springs lol

 

[romeo]

I definately dont recommend cutting the springs please whatever you do dont cut the springs! The could end up in you being in a big and dangerous accident which you might not be able to control or prevent as the whole handling aspect and driving and car weight is on the springs and by cutting the structure of it you are not helping anything! Even i was wondering about putting 55 on the side wall compared to 45 that i have now but i have 17s and not 18s. This is what i think if you put 55 side wall with 18s you might have problem with clearance under the arch specially when you are turning and not forgettingas you would be on standard springs you will have standard bounce which is meant to accompany the tyre which is on now but by putting 55 on18s you might have the tyre hitting the arch again if car bounces for instance pot holes, speed bumps, etc. before you do anything check with someone who guranttees enough clearance! Cos i myself was thinking about putting 205/55/17 compare to my standard 225/45/17!

 

[Fl@pper]

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

usually helps a lot to see and measure the differences

 

[romeo]

Or try this http://www.alloywheels.com/tyrecalc.asp its a tyre calculator you can try different tyre sizes with different tyre widths! hope this helps

 

[Murdered LCR]

I was joking with cutting springs haha

 

[Murdered LCR]

On a serious note by the time you have brought new tires say 300-400 for all four depending on what make you may as well get coilovers APs are £410 then it will look like this

 

[s_purs]

I don't want to lower my car though, its not about money to do it. I live in the country so loads of bumpy roads and pot holes- so going lower could mean is wreck my front bumper. Also for the insurance, I can't afford to pay insurance for mods.

That's why I'm trying to look at other cheaper alternatives. I will have a look at those tyre size websites today. If it doesn't work that's cool, it was just an idea I had when looking at tyre sizes and wondered if anybody had done it and had pictures- it may look awful too lol

 

[mookster]

Also remember that increasing your tyre size will also raise the car off the ground as well as fill the wheel arch. Will look a little wierd IMO.