o'malley_808

Hey guys. Been out of the s2k game for awhile but back again with a 02 that I want to turn into a track dedicated car. Currently installing the Spoon front and rear fenders. Rear quarters are already cut.

Which wheel/tire combo should I go with for best traction and tire choice? 17x9? 18x9? Square? Staggered?

I've heard the 17x9 tire choice is kind of limited? Can you guys throw some wheel size/offsets that would best fit this setup? Going to be NA for now so not making a ton of jam but will eventually supercharge it.

Bullwings

If you're going to run aero, then run square. Without aero, it's a debate - most still run square.
For width, minimally run 9.5 since you have extra room. You should consider running 10-11" wide since you have the fender room to accommodate both the wheel and tire.
Offsets - 38 to 55 depending on width of wheel.

If you want to run 18s. Then you can run:
18x11 +52 and run tire widths up to 285 square and possibly wider. The caution is whether or not you can get the tires up to operating temperature.

https://www.apexraceparts.com/wheels...ang-wheel.html
This wheel is actually really popular with the bmw m3 crowd - the equivalent of RPF-1s on s2000s, but with BBK clearance.

If you want to run 17s, you have lots of options for 17x9.5 / 10 / 10.5. You can run tire widths of 255 square or possibly 275 with 10.5 width.
SA72R - has bbk clearance and the correct offsets.
Reasonably priced cast wheel that is stronger than most other cast wheels (anecdotally stronger than enkei RPF1s and 949 racing).
https://www.evasivemotorsports.com//..._By=disp_order

If you have a bigger budget and are looking at forged wheels, Volk and CCW give excellent options.

o'malley_808

Thanks Bullwings!

Like you mentioned getting enough heat in the tire is another thing and will be just NA for awhile most likely. How about a 9.5 wide with a +35 offset (in and around) square setup running 255s? Is there better tire selection for 18s vs 17s or what would be better?

afzan

Pretty limited selection of 17's that are wider than 255.. if you're staying NA (or even low boost SC) then I think 255/40/17 is the sweet spot for weight/performance/price/tire selection

s2000Junky

Getting heat in the tire isn't really an issue if its a summer car mainly and running a street tire, max or extreme summer. I ran 315/35/17 in the rear NA and it works great. Tire width isn't about strait line traction as much as is lateral grip anyway, and if you don't want to run R comps or hoosiers on the street, its a good option. Just run less camber to get more even heat across the tire. The issue is the front though, 315 isn't going to fit with a spoon front fender. So if you have to go square, that's going to be your limit on width. Sounds like this is going to be a track car primarily though, so everything I just said is moot on not getting enough heat into the tire. Go as wide a tire you can fit on the car, no matter the compound or if you are NA or boosted, doesn't matter. You will see a benefit in lap times in most courses. Tire size options in the compounds you want and room are the two biggest factors in dictating your choice, not what's the best performing.

o'malley_808

I found a set of WedsSport TC105N 18x9.5 +35 locally. Square setup. What are your thoughts on this application for spoon front/rear fenders?

s2000Junky

Considering the cost of tires in 18" and without you getting any benefit of added rubber that you couldn't get out of a 17" (aka 255 width) and the fact your running a wide body, id say that wheel spec would be near the bottom of my list.

o'malley_808

Hmm alright shoot me some ideal wheel sizes & offsets so I can get an idea both in 17 & 18

s2000Junky

Since you can fit more tire in the rear vs front, I would stagger the tires for more total grip, but sounds like that option is off the table? In a 17" you could do 255 or 275 up front, mated to a 315 rear. Or if 18" could do a 275-285 up front mated to 285-295 or 315 rear.

Next you will decide Wheel widths, and they would be compatible/coincide with what ever tire width choice you decided to run ie 255/9.5-10" 275-285/10.5" 295/11" 315/11.5-12.5" . Next you will shop for the proper offset for that wheel width to accommodate the room you have, this will be a compromise in some manner, so you will likely have to double back/come full circle to examine available wheel width/offset options, and possibly then may have to compromise//change your preferred tire width to coincide. But in an ideal world this is what you do, decide tire widths, then rim width and then offset. Custom size wheels will give you more opportunity to do this.

Bullwings

SA-72R
17x10.5 +44

Apex EC-7
18x11 +52

Those would be my choices if I had your fender clearance.