It seems alot of people go with fairly aggressive offsets these days. Probably mainly for looks, but i was wondering if a lower offset affects performance. For example, lets pretend we have two wheels. 18x9 +30 and 18x9 + 15. Does the +30 have more of an advantage over the +15 or vice versa ?? The +15 puts more stress on the bearings right ?? But how much MORE stress ??

What im trying to find out is if going with a lower/ more aggressive offset has any effect on how the car puts out power to the ground (if the tires size are the same for both set ups being compared).

Planning on going FI next year but i will be getting my wheels before i do. I want to know if offset plays a roll in the performance cause i know some people have to be completely slammed for the tires/wheels to fit.

Any input will be appreciated. Thanks

 

For performance, lower offset just allows you to use a larger width wheel, bigger tires = more grip.

Like my +28 wheels can handle 275 or larger without rubbing on the inner wheel well, where a +50 probably wouldn't.

 

not in any noticeable manner unless your offset / wheel is so retarded that you need to run some high negative camber then obviously less of the tires is on the road and you won't have as much performance as you could.

Not on a street car as long as it's not SUPER low which then could have a chain reaction since then you'll be dropped much more, tucked, and possibly running stretch tires which all of that WILL have a direct effect on performance.

short answer: No but everything you do to compensate a very low offset COULD easily have an effect on offset. (in a negative manner)


Have you finally decided on what wheels to get? If not, why are we having this conversation.

 

Kane: Thats what i thought as well. The lower the offset the more problem youll have to fit wide tires, which you want for FI. So i guess it does affect performance in that sense. thanks !!

Jedi: You reminded of my other question Jorge. Does running slightly strechted have any effect on the longevity of the tires. For example runnning 265 or a 9 wide wheel. haha yes i have picked a wheel, but i wont spill the beans just yet. Ive went back and forth on so many wheels in the past year but im set on these ones lmao.


At the end of the day, im looking for setup that provides maximum peformance while looking pretty aggressive as well.

 

Wouldnt it be the other way around ?? The lower the offset, the more the wheel sticks out which makes it harder to fit wider tires. Correct me if im wrong.

 

Suspension, Offset, diameter, tire size, and width all effect fitment and handling. A stretched tire will not handle like it should. My stretched 245/40-18's do not handle anywhere near like they did on a 18 x 8 wheel unstretched (sic). That is why I am stepping up to 265/35-18's.

 

"Stretched" is a very subjective term. Typically, I prefer to stay within manufacturer's recommended specs but to stay on the narrower end.

What a light stretch will do is maximize the contact patch with the ground for any given tire size. This will minimize overall weight while maximizing grip. Also, a light stretch will stiffen up the sidewalls as well for a slightly more responsive feel. A 265 is FAR from stretched on a 9" wide wheel. Depending on track, some race teams will run a slightly narrower tire Vs. a slightly wider tire. For low speed stuff such as Autox, you want as much rubber as possible while for higher speed tracks a slight stretch may be beneficial.

Lower offsets will slightly change the handling dynamics but for 99% of drivers, this change is really negligible. Unless I am seriously competing, I am happy driving my car with a low ride height + low offsets on and off the track.

Jedi answered this one perfectly.

 

Yeah I don't consider my stretch extreme but it's enough to break loose the tires now where it would not on stock wheels. is it a problem? No, not really, you just have to get used to it. But like anything else, each tire will be different. For me, going to a 265/35-18 is partly for looks (subjective I know) and partly for meatier tires.

 

Tilt: this is the only part I still remember from your post.

 

Yeah, different setups will certainly handle differently. With a gripper compound tire, the 245's may be beneficial but for your current tire, 265's may be a good bet. honestly, I would likely run 265's on your setup as well.

It just erks me when individuals speak of aggressive fitments like they are the devil. Trying to avoid this thread from taking that direction.

Jedi:

 

I agree, when I researched spacers I found many people bashing them but few who were bashing the use of them actually ran them. Now they are more common and I still have yet to read a horror story about them. I ran them very hard and really felt no difference in handling and I might even say handling was a bit better when I was running the stock Shinka wheels.

I realize getting properly sized wheels and suspension to achieve great aggressive fitment is ideal but for me I like the idea that I can remove the 10mm spacers if I need too. There is a fine line as to what is street-able from person to person but that is a personal decision.

 

its wierd but i actually googled "aggressive offset performance" and the first 2 links that popped up are both rx8club threads

if you track or are after a specific laptime or are planning to compete, yes it does make a difference,

if you dont do any of the above and are more concerned about looks, no it doesnt.

here is one of the links that popped up, i think georgeH and miketyson8mykids explains best

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/effect-aggressive-offset-performance-194060/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrub_radius

keep in mind the best performance comes from a balanced package, wheel/tire size is one of these parameters if not one of the most important since they have direct contact with the road surface.

 

By no means was I trying to bash aggressive set ups. I actually want to run something fairly aggressive. Iwas just wondering if it affects performance when you are stretched, slammed and hellaflush. But I got my answer lol. Thanks guys

 

Ah, not saying you were. Threads like this just have a history of leaning that direction.

"Hellaflush" implies stretched tires (think 225 on 9.5"), no fender gap, and negative camber to allow the wheels to fit. This will have a significant negative effect on handling.

The thread c0ldf1ame linked is an excellent read.

 

No the +28 pushes it out, which I can fix with a fender roll, if I were rubbing on the inside of the well, it would be much much harder to fix.

 

K so if im understanding correctly. The best setup would be having the widest wheel possible (probably 10 wide), low offset but not too low, slightly stretched, and not tooo much camber (if camber adjustment is needed).

 

depends on purpose of the vehicle, you dont really need tires larger than 245/40 with a stock powered car, if you are going turbo then maybe a wider setup will help you get power to the ground better, again it comes down to what you want out of the car.

the fastest setup is the most optimized setup (least compromises), in terms of wheels the fastest setup would be to get the largest adequate tire size possible on the smallest/lightest rim possible, there is a point where your tire size starts being detrimental (straight line performance, braking, fuel economy etc), Possibly with close to stock offset, not slammed, with the camber dialed in to your specific tire choice. Now this is assuming you will be tracking the car.

If you are building the car for street/show or are just not planning to actually drive it that hard, then you will probably be more concerned about other things such as looks, maybe fuel economy and drivability

 

Thanks guys that answers my question !!

 

tilt, what neg camber were you running with your 18x9.5 +22 setups?

 

with a proper offset you can fit a 10.5" wheel all around and with standard camber settings too, that's just how hella-flush fad following monkey see monkey do some dolts gotta be ... be sure to hang up some more Fast & Furious posters in your bedroom while you're at it ...