in the spring, or sooner, I'm gonna be getting some new wheels. I'm wondering who, if anybody is running 9"wide wheels up front? Currently I'm sitting on stock springs but I'll be on pedders shortly. What are the pros and cons of 9" wide wheels up front? Clearance/rubbing issues? I don't want to go any bigger than 18's either. If anyone has experience I'd appreciate it. Also, what options for wheels would i have? Pics would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks folks.

 

what size tires you planning on runnin

 

on a non coilover setup you'll need to really get the right offset and tire size so you don't rub on the spring mount of the strut. i don't remember what offset and tire size powell is running, but he's the only one i can think of off the top of my head thats on a 9" that isn't running coilovers.

 

Last I remember he had 8.5"s on a 235/40/18

 

i thought he was on 18x9 pf01s?

 

I'm on 18x9 mille miglia wheels running 255/40/18 upfront with minor rubbing. A 35 series tire would be perfect but I got an amazing deal on the 40's. But I'm not sure of the offset since it wasn't marked and I bought the wheels second hand. I'm also on eibach pro kit springs.

 

You might be right.. or 17x9's... I dont remember i DO know that he's on 235's an runnin PF01's in a dif bolt pattern.. Ima see if I can find it..

 

I was planning on running whatever size tire would look Nice and flush with the rim. 255 or maybe 265 even. The other thing is i don't want them to poke out of the fenders. I like the flush look. A little poke is ok, but not much

 

powell is running 18x9.5's with 245/40/18.

 

aHA! the only thing I reeeeeeally remember him postin all the time about tires is that he didn't like 245's cuz he said they walk all over the place lol

 

if you think 245's are bad try 255's. I'm on 255/35/18's with Forgestar 18x8.5's and pedders. I was running -2.4 camber/0 toe in the front and on poor roads it's a handful. I'm running 35mm in the front with no rub issues but with -1 in the front they poke a little. I think 18x9 with 30mm and -1.8 would be perfect in the front. I went with a 50mm in the rear thinking I could always add a spacer if needed but it worked fine with the only rub being slight on the inside under a major bump. I'm a little puzzled with the statement's regarding coilovers and more clearance. Unless the coilover has a camber plate the clearance should be almost the same. the diameter of my strut housings on my cobalt are identical to the Ground Control coilovers on my BMW. Different cars yes but the camber plate is probably more responsible. Could be wrong on this, has anyone actually measured?

 

Heres some pics of the 255/40/18s on my car.
Though due to being a 2.4 I will probably go back to 225/40/18s on my ss/tc wheels and sell these wheels.
Mainly it was just an experiment that i wanted to try.

Heres some pics.


235/40/18s compared to 255/40/18s




Not bad and I actually like the way it drives. it doesnt pull much at all actually and the car has a nice weighted feel to it. But being a 2.4 I can also feel the power fall off from the wheels.