help with tire size

[m52go]

Hi - I have 8" wide tires I am trying to put on my 1997 Camry 4-cylinder. I have seen people on this forum and otherwise with a wide variety of tire sizes in 18" but I have doubts about my car in particular.

The car is a 4-cylinder and has a ~1.5" drop front and back.

At first, I was going for 225/40. Now I am having doubts that 225/40 would clear the struts, so I am looking at running 215/40. This would most probably work, but 215/40/18 diameter nearly equals 195/70/14 diameter, and I want something slightly larger.

Thus, now I am looking at getting 215/45/18 tires for 18x8 wheels. My question to you is, as a tire expert, is this setup safe? I heard running 215/40 on 18x8 is fine, but that 215/45 is not recommended. Any comments regarding stretch, safety, etc?

Thanks!

[Discount Tire]

Stick with a 215/40R18 and you should be fine. The tolerances on your Camry are tight at stock. With your drop they will be even tighter. The 215/45R18 will, most likely, rub.

Remember also that the 215 has a wider tread width than the 195. the 195 balloons out more in the sidewall than the 215/40R18. You will have a wider footprint with the 215's.

[dipstick97]

Hello Discount Tire,

My friend wants to give me her stock 2007 350Z wheels. I really want to replace this on my camry 97(stock not drop). Id like to ask if Offset will be a big difference. They have same bolt pattern of 5X114.3 but differ on Center Bore and Offset. 97Camry is H and 350Z is H/M (RWD). Please tell me if theres a possibility of rubbing or do I need to use spacers (5mm) on Rear. How bout the Front? I'm not a wheel guy sorry to ask this. Thanks for the reply. I'll wait.

[Discount Tire]

Originally Posted by dipstick97

Hello Discount Tire,

My friend wants to give me her stock 2007 350Z wheels. I really want to replace this on my camry 97(stock not drop). Id like to ask if Offset will be a big difference. They have same bolt pattern of 5X114.3 but differ on Center Bore and Offset. 97Camry is H and 350Z is H/M (RWD). Please tell me if theres a possibility of rubbing or do I need to use spacers (5mm) on Rear. How bout the Front? I'm not a wheel guy sorry to ask this. Thanks for the reply. I'll wait.

Nice friend! I wish I had better news for you but the 350Z wheels are 18x8 and 18x8.5. They have a 30mm offset in the front and a 33mm offset in the rear. These offsets are too low for your vehicle. You may be able to get them to fit but they will stick out beyond the fenders at least 1/2" not counting the tires.

We recommend running an 8" wide wheel at max for the front and the rear with an offset in the range of 38-40mm. Recommended tire size is a 215/40R18 or 225/35R18. You may be able to fit an 8" wheel with a slightly lower offset but it would require test fitting and may also require modifications to fit.

-Travis

[dipstick97]

Thanks for the reply Sir, its a good info learrning, I'll follow your advice...
Say goodbye to free wheels..