Need tire help. Rubbing frame on 8.5 Contour w/ 12mm spacer with a 245/40

[RandomHero27]

cross posting from the wheel/tire forum because i havent received any responses.


So, i use my 328is E36 as a drift car. I bought 2 8.5 contours wrapped in 245/40/17 g force comp 2 tires that were brand new for $200. i had to use a 12mm spacer (only spacers i had) in order for the tires to clear my Tein coilovers. Went out for my first event this season and the tires are rubbing the frame at full lock.

Currently im looking to get some Federal RS-R to replace them. This was the original plan untill the Contour deal popped up. the problem is when i look at the dimensions to what i currently have, to what the Federals are. i would like to get the Federals in 225/45 but im not sure if ill run into the same rubbing issue or not .

G Force Comp 2 - 245/40

• Section Width - 9.8"
• Overall Diameter - 24.7"

Federal RS-R -225/45

• Section Width - 9.1"
• Overall Diameter - 24.9"

Federal RS-R - 235/40

• Section Width - 9.4"
• Overall Diameter - 24.4"

Federal RS-R - 215/40

• Section Width - 8.7"
• Overall Diameter - 23.7"

i hear that the Federals run wide, so im not sure if those specs are correct, but they are what is listed on their website. With all this info, would it be better to get the 235s? i know for sure the 215s would fit, but i would like the 225s or 235s since i need as much grip up front as i can get.


Any help from the wheel tire gurus?

[jalopi]

do you have an angle kit? when i got into the 60* range with 245's up front, i wound up needing this much poke to clear the frame/body/ect

[url=https://postimg.org/image/ngu2dbwv3/]

this is my effective offset vs your effective offset (i think, provided the contours you have are 41mm offset)



either get a different set of wheels (narrower wheel/tire) or get a 1.5"/1.75" spacer, but be ready for some crazy fender action

[Piner]

I'd go with a narrower wheel and tire. I good grippy compound 215/45 on an 8 inch wide wheel will give you way more clearance and honestly as long as your alignment specs are right you shouldn't have much if any understeer.

[RandomHero27]

Thanks for the input guys. No angle kit for me, yet.

[tptrsn]

as long as your alignment specs are right you shouldn't have much if any understeer.

Are you willing to elaborate on this a bit to say what you like for your front end alignment?

[RandomHero27]

I should add my alignment is all sorts of messed up. Driver side pokes, passanger tucks. I took it for an alignment once snd tie rods were seized. I have everything to do it now. Gonna have a long shop day with the friends soon and install everything.

[Novablue454]

I use a 245/40r17 on a 8" wheel, but I have to run a 30mm spacer to clear stuff. I also ran federal 595s on the front and they ran way wide. They rubbed the frame hard at lock, yet my RS3 don't touch it.

[Press22]

I run my contours up front with a 225/45, E46 LCAs, 20mm spacer. All good for me at lock. I'll be running a 245/40 soon though.