RA rims upgrade

RalliStone04 · Feb 16, 2009, 07:22 AM

Ive heard way too many conflicting stories, hopefully the air will be cleared now. 2004 RA have a wheel offset of 42-45...and a stock wheel width of 8J...so if I wanted to go to a larger wheel like 17 or even 18s without mods, i should go to a thinner rims like 7.5 or 7? And perhaps lower my wheel ration to 45ish? Some sites are saying that 17's or 18's that are 7 or 7.5 will fit an 04 RA with NO MODs. Before I start spending money i want to be 100% sure I will have no problems with this. Thanks for anyone who helps me solve my mystery and i hope someone else can use this.

edbighead · Feb 16, 2009, 06:32 PM

i put 18's on my wife's car they were 18x7 and the tire is a 215/35/r18 so if that helps, by the way no mods to make them fit.

sway311 · Feb 17, 2009, 12:32 AM

check this website out, might give u an idea:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

they say the magic numbers are:

17x7 42offset 215/40/17
18x7.5 42offset 215/35/18

i think even with an offset of 45 it should be fine.
if ur not lowered, u can get a bit thicker tires like for 17... u can use 215/45/17 and for 18... i guess u can use 215/40/18.

right now im lowered on Tein's with 17x7 42offset 215/40/17 with no rubbing.

hope this might help u a bit