Im looking to get a set of Gram Lights 57F 17x8.5, 40mm offset. My car is lowered on H&R OE Sport springs with Tokico Illuminas. I searched but couldnt find anybody with the setup Im looking at. Anyways, anybody with knowledge and experience please let me know if there are going to be any issues running that wide. Also, tire size would be nice. If I am missing any other information that you guys need please let me know. Thanks!

235/45/17 - easy fit, practical.
245/40/17 - a little harsher ride, a little better performance, protrudes a bit.
245/45/17 - taller, a little more comfort but at the expense of torque, very close fit, protrudes.

You will need rolled fenders with any of these.

Thanks. Is there a way of getting by without rolling the fenders? Maybe a different offset?
I searched about rolling the fenders and a baseball bat was mentioned, where would I start? Any pictures would be helpful? Thanks!

You can start with these and other FAQ's.

If you want to run anything wider than 225's you will want to roll your fender flanges. Until you go up to 255's or wider (which won't tuck anyway) and super-stiff suspension.

Why don't you just get the 17x7.5 Gram Lights 57F wheel? At least you won't have to roll your fender.

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/2469_3050_3053/products_id/10584

wret said:

You can start with these and other FAQ's.

If you want to run anything wider than 225's you will want to roll your fender flanges. Until you go up to 255's or wider (which won't tuck anyway) and super-stiff suspension.

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So with that said, 225's should be safe? In 40 series or 45 series? I wont need to worry about the tires rubbing? And I wont need to worry about the tires/rim sticking out?....just double checking..Thanks!

Flash said:

Why don't you just get the 17x7.5 Gram Lights 57F wheel? At least you won't have to roll your fender.

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/2469_3050_3053/products_id/10584

Click to expand...

Those were my first option, but after searching and reading a few other guys experience, they said they wished they would have gone wider than 7" if they could do it again. So I just dont want to fall into that category, if you know what I mean. Anyways, thanks for the help guys.

With the offset you mentioned and your current setup, you might rub on the inner suspension arm. Change that offset to +38mm, you can run 235/45 without problems, without rolling your fenders and you will have a tad more clearance from that inner susppension arm. I have run 235/45 on Potenza S-03s, Hankook Venturas, and Yokohama A048s with no fender rolling, and no rubbing. This is on a 17x8 wheel.

You do need to take into account the actual tire size (see spec of tire) for overall diameter and with on the rim in question. But most will fit.


Rolling your fender is not dependent on gettin a slimmer width wheel alone. It is a combination off offset and width. It is easier to fit the tires you are talking about on an 8 inch wheel than the smaller wheel.


Tire size is also important, because they do differ between manufacturers even though the profile size may be the same. You will find that some 245/40 and 245/45 tires will also fit without rolling the fenders or rubbing, but you will not be able to pull it off with a +40mm offset.

thisdsm said:

So with that said, 225's should be safe? In 40 series or 45 series? I wont need to worry about the tires rubbing? And I wont need to worry about the tires/rim sticking out?....just double checking..

Click to expand...

You didn’t tell us much about your goals so I have to make some assumptions. Your choice in wheels indicates that you are either serious about performance handling or you have a cash surplus that you need to alleviate. Your choice of wheel dimensions indicates that you either got some good advice, you already did some research, or you got lucky because it is exactly the size I would recommended to anyone wanting to do some autocross on their road wheels.

My advice (like anyone else’s) will have a lot of personal preference mixed in. Using 225’s would assure an easy fit with no rubbing on either side. But why bother with expensive, light wheels if you are not going to maximize their capabilities? I would use the widest tire possible. 245/40/17’s have the advantage of being slightly shorter than stock, which gives you more clearance at the knuckle and more room below the fender. They will also give you a bit more torque.

Disadvantages? 245/40/17’s are a little lower profile than 225/45/17’s meaning a little less comfort. You will need to roll the fender flanges and without a height-adjustable suspension, you may not be able to prevent contact inside the fenders over bumps. Protrusion with 245’s will be very minimal; about ¼ inches with +40mm offset.

Rx3 said:

With the offset you mentioned and your current setup, you might rub on the inner suspension arm. Change that offset to +38mm, you can run 235/45 without problems, without rolling your fenders and you will have a tad more clearance from that inner susppension arm. I have run 235/45 on Potenza S-03s, Hankook Venturas, and Yokohama A048s with no fender rolling, and no rubbing. This is on a 17x8 wheel.

You do need to take into account the actual tire size (see spec of tire) for overall diameter and with on the rim in question. But most will fit.


Rolling your fender is not dependent on gettin a slimmer width wheel alone. It is a combination off offset and width. It is easier to fit the tires you are talking about on an 8 inch wheel than the smaller wheel.


Tire size is also important, because they do differ between manufacturers even though the profile size may be the same. You will find that some 245/40 and 245/45 tires will also fit without rolling the fenders or rubbing, but you will not be able to pull it off with a +40mm offset.

Click to expand...

Yes I saw all the different tire sizes thanks to the link Wret provided above. So it seems +38mm seems to be the better choice? Any second opinions on this?

wret said:

You didn’t tell us much about your goals so I have to make some assumptions. Your choice in wheels indicates that you are either serious about performance handling or you have a cash surplus that you need to alleviate. Your choice of wheel dimensions indicates that you either got some good advice, you already did some research, or you got lucky because it is exactly the size I would recommended to anyone wanting to do some autocross on their road wheels.

Click to expand...

Well I dont really know much, but yes, I did my research before posting this thread after reading the many threads in the past and thanks to your many replies to past threads, I want the most performance handling I can get. Not that I have that kind of money to blow, but I wanted to do it once and do it right. I dont autox, but I do drag once in awhile, but I love twisties.

wret said:

My advice (like anyone else’s) will have a lot of personal preference mixed in. Using 225’s would assure an easy fit with no rubbing on either side. But why bother with expensive, light wheels if you are not going to maximize their capabilities? I would use the widest tire possible. 245/40/17’s have the advantage of being slightly shorter than stock, which gives you more clearance at the knuckle and more room below the fender. They will also give you a bit more torque.

Disadvantages? 245/40/17’s are a little lower profile than 225/45/17’s meaning a little less comfort. You will need to roll the fender flanges and without a height-adjustable suspension, you may not be able to prevent contact inside the fenders over bumps. Protrusion with 245’s will be very minimal; about ¼ inches with +40mm offset.

Click to expand...

hmm..about 1/4 inches with +40mm offset. How about what Rx3 said, about going with a +38mm offset with 235/45's? I have seen many cars with rims/tires protruding out and I dont like it that's why Im trying to see if I can get by. Anyways, the information provided has been great so far. Keep them coming, as I am still learning.

thisdsm said:

Yes I saw all the different tire sizes thanks to the link Wret provided above. So it seems +38mm seems to be the better choice? Any second opinions on this?

Click to expand...

I don't think you will find any off-the-shelf wheels that come in +40 and +38, they are too close together. With either I don't think you'll have trouble with 245's and certainly not 235's.

thisdsm said:

I want the most performance handling I can get. Not that I have that kind of money to blow, but I wanted to do it once and do it right. I dont autox, but I do drag once in awhile, but I love twisties.

Click to expand...

Given your conservative goals, you will probably by happy with 235/45/17's.

thisdsm said:

hmm..about 1/4 inches with +40mm offset. How about what Rx3 said, about going with a +38mm offset with 235/45's? I have seen many cars with rims/tires protruding out and I dont like it that's why Im trying to see if I can get by.

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Here's a pic of my car with 245/40/18's. The protrusion is not really noticeable unless you hold a straight edge against the car.

thanks.

wret said:

I don't think you will find any off-the-shelf wheels that come in +40 and +38, they are too close together. With either I don't think you'll have trouble with 245's and certainly not 235's.

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There are a good number of wheels in 38mm offset off the shelf. You just have to look for them. Don't necessarily shop for wheels on sites based on your car type (pull down menu). Call the distributors, and ask for the exact offset, even though in their "database", it may not be listed for your type of car. I've done this with Tirerack and others many times. Just be sure that you did your calculations and that you get the wheels hubcentric (sp?). You will be amazed at the added wheel selection when you don't limit yourself to a pulldown menu that is pre-determined.


If you look at my avatar (or my gallery), there is no protrusion on the 235/45 combo. All the pictures were without height adjustable suspension/coilovers.This is on the 97-99 chassis. The 95-96 have slightly different suspension geometry, and your mileage may vary.

Given your listed goals, I agree with Wret, 235/45 would probably be a good choice for you based on you not wanting to autocross, and using the car as a daily driver w/ limited drag.