Wheel & tire questions for 2014 GT PRHT
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 7:30 am
I am new to the MX-5 club, having recently purchased a 2014 PRHT GT.
It has the LSD and Bilsteins according to the original order sheet.
Roughtly 44k on the odometer.
I am looking at wheels & tires, as I am not in love w/ the chrome American Racing wheels and Bridgestone runflats it has on.
I have been trying to read up on the ins & outs and I think I may know just enough to ask some dumb questions.
Of course, I am "ignoring" the advice that recommends doing the suspension first, but I have my (bad) reasons.
A bit of backstory - I bought the MX-5 after coming to a "parting of the ways" with my 2004 STi which I owned from 2005 until last summer when it spit out its built motor. While I got a LOT of enjoyment out of that car, an honest assessment would include the admission that I bought and installed a LOT of parts I didn't really need, but I thought I *might* need them, and I really wanted them. So, over time, enough money was shoveled down a Subaru shaped hole to pay for my MX-5. And likely a large number of future mods on it.
So, this time around, instead of just saying "of course! the answer is Ohlins!" and popping $2,100+ right out of the gate, I thought I would start by replacing the wheels and tires that I do not like. Once I am on some decent shoes, I can decide if further suspension work is needed/desired. For reference, the car is a daily driver. No AX, no track.
I am already concerned that an MX-5 shaped hole could hold a considerable amount of cash.
The Bose head unit has already been replaced, and Smart Top, Moroso coolant & Power steering tanks are on their way . . .
Because I am thinking "more tire = more grip" I find myself looking at Brian's advice (17x8 max for street) and thinking "but . . ."
(I own a fender roller . . .)
So, the overkill brain says:
17x9 Enkei PF01 +48mm and 255/40/17
(there appears to be no RPF1 17x9 +45 in silver??)
the less stupid part says:
17x8 Enkei RPF1 +45mm and 235/40/17 or maybe(?) 245/40/17 ? (see, he won't stop!)
this would save a bit over 2 pounds a wheel and the benefit of that might be greater than a tire that is .4" or .8" wider ?
I guess I am wondering - is the "max" choice too big to fit w/ stock suspension and fender rolling?
Or would the tires stick out to the point where it would need flares or "look bad" ?
I have seen some that looked fine, but not many from the right angles.
There is more I could say or ask, but this post is already tl;dr
I appreciate the input from people w/ experience w/ these cars.
thanks.
It has the LSD and Bilsteins according to the original order sheet.
Roughtly 44k on the odometer.
I am looking at wheels & tires, as I am not in love w/ the chrome American Racing wheels and Bridgestone runflats it has on.
I have been trying to read up on the ins & outs and I think I may know just enough to ask some dumb questions.
Of course, I am "ignoring" the advice that recommends doing the suspension first, but I have my (bad) reasons.
A bit of backstory - I bought the MX-5 after coming to a "parting of the ways" with my 2004 STi which I owned from 2005 until last summer when it spit out its built motor. While I got a LOT of enjoyment out of that car, an honest assessment would include the admission that I bought and installed a LOT of parts I didn't really need, but I thought I *might* need them, and I really wanted them. So, over time, enough money was shoveled down a Subaru shaped hole to pay for my MX-5. And likely a large number of future mods on it.
So, this time around, instead of just saying "of course! the answer is Ohlins!" and popping $2,100+ right out of the gate, I thought I would start by replacing the wheels and tires that I do not like. Once I am on some decent shoes, I can decide if further suspension work is needed/desired. For reference, the car is a daily driver. No AX, no track.
I am already concerned that an MX-5 shaped hole could hold a considerable amount of cash.
The Bose head unit has already been replaced, and Smart Top, Moroso coolant & Power steering tanks are on their way . . .
Because I am thinking "more tire = more grip" I find myself looking at Brian's advice (17x8 max for street) and thinking "but . . ."
(I own a fender roller . . .)
So, the overkill brain says:
17x9 Enkei PF01 +48mm and 255/40/17
(there appears to be no RPF1 17x9 +45 in silver??)
the less stupid part says:
17x8 Enkei RPF1 +45mm and 235/40/17 or maybe(?) 245/40/17 ? (see, he won't stop!)
this would save a bit over 2 pounds a wheel and the benefit of that might be greater than a tire that is .4" or .8" wider ?
I guess I am wondering - is the "max" choice too big to fit w/ stock suspension and fender rolling?
Or would the tires stick out to the point where it would need flares or "look bad" ?
I have seen some that looked fine, but not many from the right angles.
There is more I could say or ask, but this post is already tl;dr
I appreciate the input from people w/ experience w/ these cars.
thanks.