Anyone using 245/35ZR17 tires in the front??

[MvM]

I have been reading that the 235/40ZR17 tires are about the largest tires you can run on a 17" wheel in the front. This however with the disadvantage of rubbing when taking a turn.
The obvious remedy for the rubbing would be changing the tires to a lower 235/35 measurement, but this tiresize does not exist.

However, there ARE tires in the size 245/35ZR17. These are much lower than the 235/40 size AND, by calculation, this tire-size has EXACTLY the same height as the 215/40ZR17-tires that everyone seems to be using by default.

So, my question is, has anyone ever tried this tiresize in the front?
And also, how wide does your rims have to be to run this tire?
At the moment I am running 17x7" on the front and it seems that most 17" front wheels are somewhere between 6.5" and 7.5" wide.

 

[nsxtasy]

I haven't tried it. But remember, rubbing is a function of outer diameter and treadwidth. It's quite possible that size will rub, due to the treadwidth, even though (as you point out) the outer diameter is the same as 215/40-17.

Tires that size are usually approved only for use on wheels 8.0-9.5 inches wide, so I would not recommend using them on your 17x7 or 17x7.5 rims in any case.

 

[docjohn]

I think you would have to get an exact custom offset wheel to try and fit that wide a tire in a oem ride height car.The difference of only a few mm might make the difference between inner fender clearence and outer lip clearence.If the car is lowered forgetaboutit.http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86179&highlight=widest+front+tire http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103732&highlight=widest+front+tire http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81325&highlight=widest+front+tire

 

[nsxtasy]

I really don't think there's much point in going that wide, anyway. Not with so many street tires available in 215/40-17 (and track tires in 235/40-17).

 

[angus]

I ran these , they are really wide for the front of an nsx - minimal rubbing at full lock, but no real point since the tires available in this size mostly suck!

 

[fullracehonda]

you dont want to stuff a 245 35 17 onto your 7" wide rim, best size for that tire would probably be 17x9, or else it would have excessive body roll plus your extra oversteer,


rubbing is due to diameter, width, offset, and height of the car, people have rubbing issues with 235 40 17 on stock fenders so you would most likely be no exception

 

[asylum]

I think it is possible to make these tires fit with minimal (if no) rubbing.

I run 240/610/17 race tires which are almost as wide but taller than 245/35/17. I had a little rubbing at full lock (on the right wheel when I turned right, on the left wheel when I turned left). This came from the rear of the tire touching the plastic splash guard just where just behind there is a welding line of the chassis. I cut the splash guard at this place to gain 2 mm and now there is no rubbing at all (even with hard track driving).

I have ~1.5 - 2.0 inches drop, ~2.3° camber, ~9 - 9.5° caster and 17' x 8' ET=40 wheels.

 

[CarCrazed4Life]

As you can see in the links attached I've done it with no rubbing.

I did however do it on a 17x8 ET38 and only tried the Falken 452s. I know Goodyear Eagle F1 GS D3s are available in that size, and they also have a 285/30/18. This would be the most ideal setup if you wish to maintain the 40-50mm stagger in widths that is done OEM, it would also be the most ideal street tire as you can't do much better then the Goodyears.

Downfall is everything comes into play. I have a non adjustable suspension, and my alignments specs are OEM as well. I use Bilstein Shocks on the heighest perch setting, and Eibach Progressive Springs, with NSX-R anti sway Bar up front, and NSX-S/Zanardi anti sways in the rear. I have the NSX-R chassis bars up front, and the DR chassis brace in the rear.

IMO, if you can do it with out rubbing, it would be a awesome setup. I tried it with crappy Flken 452s and the Goodyears would be a nite and day difference. Also, doing a 245/35/17 front and 285/30/18 rear would be almost identical in size to a 215/40/17 front and 255/40/17 rear.

Only draw back, is that the 245 on a 17x8 ET38 showed a lil PonyBoys:

If you can live with that look, you'll love that setup. I cant say you will or won't rubbed, but if you have the ability to tune your suspension around your wheels and tires, then go for it.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

the falken 452, if I remember right, is one of those tires have a round shoulder, not all tires are created the same, EVEN in same size.

and that, may or may not gives you more rubbing. be it the inside fender, the fender lip, or the fender liner.

 

[CarCrazed4Life]

the falken 452, if I remember right, is one of those tires have a round shoulder, not all tires are created the same, EVEN in same size.

and that, may or may not gives you more rubbing. be it the inside fender, the fender lip, or the fender liner.

Agreed, that said the tread width of the Falken 452 is actually wider then the Eagles...

Falken 452:
215/40/17 - 7.2" Tread Width, 8.4" Section Width
245/35/17 - 8.8" Tread Width, 9.6" Section Width

Goodyear Eagle F1 GS D3:
215/40/17 - 7.2" Tread Width, 8.5" Section Width
245/35/17 - 8.3" Tread Width, 9.7" Section Width

 

[stuntman]

235/40-17 on a 8" wide wheel only rubs at FULL LOCK. So unless you're that good at drifting, or spun out, its not an issue (assuming you are not "slammed"). The rubbing at full lock making u+turns is also not an issue imo, if you hear rubbing when making a u-turn, back off the wheel a few degrees and no problem.

I wouldn't recommend 235/40-17 on anything narrower than a 8" wide wheel either.

Although not yet bald, I'm taking these 452s off my car asap as I really don't like them.

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