235's on to a 7" RIM? Possible?

[The_Hawk]

Reckon you can cram 235/40R17 or 235/45R17's onto a 17x7"?

In short I'm looking at putting some R888's onto a set of stock seattle rims I have sitting here. I might have a set (staggered) 2nd hand jobs on the cheap but am a little concerned about the rears.

The fronts are 215/45R17 so aren't an issue, but the rears are 235's. According to their website this means they are either 235/40R17 or 235/45R17 and want a 8" or 7.5" rim respectively.

Given I want to use them on the track, is this a wise move or should I really be hunting up some other rims to mount them on?

[dylan8]

I cant seeing it being a problem as mk4 came with 17x7 225/45 as standard from the shop.
its only 5mm more each side.

the r888s are slicks though yeah...? might have a stiffer side wall that might not like being under that much pressure

[The_Hawk]

Everything I read says 225 is the max for 7" with 215 being recommended in most places, almost strange that VW chose to put 225's onto their 7" rims as standard rather than the thinner rubber (or better yet a wider rim).

The R888's are semi slick and their website doesn't want you to put them onto the 7" rim.

I've already posted something up looking for some new race rims assuming the answer was going to be "best not to"...

I figure moving from 17x7 ET54 (Seattle) to a 17x8 ET45 should be about right.

[dylan8]

yeah needed the 225/45s to keep up with the other wheel option rolling diameters I think.

yeah id go a bit wider if you have the option. atleast with 8et45 or similar the track will be a bit better too!

[The_Hawk]

well if anyone has anything spare:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f25/5x112-7-5-8-rims-suit-mkvi-golf-84383.html

[The_Hawk]

There is these:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f24/17x7-5-et56-5x112-audi-ronals-5-spoke-spacers-83800.html

17x7.5 ET56.

According to this they *should* fit:
Custom rims, wheel tire packages for your ride - RIMSnTIRES.com



Although I need to check if the tyre I am looking at is 40 or 45 profile since only the 45 is supposed to mount up on a 7.5" rim
Proxes R888 | Toyo Tires

[fred27]

Hi Aaron, I have used R888's. Toyo and other makers provide an approved range, and it is an advantage to fit the tyre on the widest size that is recommended and also fits your car (ie gaurd rolling required, clears brake calipers, etc) In the case of the 235 iirc it works best on a 8.5 or 9 (the wider end of the scale). There is a noticeable difference in performance as it helps straighten the sidewall. This makes the tyre work at it's best. In my case the tyre was a 225/45/16. I went from 16X7 to 16X8. GL with the rim search and track work. Regards, Fred

[dylan8]

There is these:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f24/17x7-5-et56-5x112-audi-ronals-5-spoke-spacers-83800.html

17x7.5 ET56.

According to this they *should* fit:
Custom rims, wheel tire packages for your ride - RIMSnTIRES.com



Although I need to check if the tyre I am looking at is 40 or 45 profile since only the 45 is supposed to mount up on a 7.5" rim
Proxes R888 | Toyo Tires

Id keep to a 45 profile if possible.

That calculator doesn't take into account the extra width of the tyre when it refers to being 8mm closer to the strut...
im not familiar with the R888, but most semis have a wider shoulder then normal road tyres of equal written size. so if its getting that close keep that in mind.

However 8-15mm less clearance then stock wheels generally isnt a problem (on most cars iv looked at anyway)

[Martin]

That calculator doesn't take into account the extra width of the tyre when it refers to being 8mm closer to the strut...

That's a good point
Taking the rim 7mm closer plus 5mm from a wider tyre may get a tad close
My Octavia with stock rims had ~18mm rim to shock clearance so you can get away with it

I can't help feeling that 235 on 7~7.5 rims is not going to get the best out of the tyres
But I know's it can be frustrating to get a semi slick in your size with the required load rating

[The_Hawk]

I've managed to source an alternative set of rims and tyres here:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f24/toyo-r888-225-45-17-semi-slicks-audi-17-5x112-wheels-70037.html

Offset, size and centre bore should all be just about perfect

[Martin]

Winner!