Been looking around and I dont think it's ever been stated, apart from finding the diameter of tires already in use; but is there a known number for max tire diameter (before getting too close to the spring cup)? Or getting too friendly with the max turn radius?
More simply put:
~25.9"-27" overall diameter a go, or no go? And all the caveats that might come with that?
I'm looking at 18x8 et35 wheels (Vors SP1 or the VR8).... and am playing around with getting 225/45 or even maybeee 225/50 tires.... I dont care about the speedo being off.... but I do care about unexpected rub (doesn't everybody?)....
full disclosure: I'm planning on ZZP springs, just seeing if I can close fender gap on a 1.25" drop while at the same time minimizing decreased ground clearance.... I like seeing the gaps people have gotten dropped 1.5" on 235/40 18×8.5 and ultimately want to mimmick that. I will get 5mm hubcentric spacers if I have to, but if my understanding is correct it shouldn't be necessary. willtheyfit.com is amazing.
Edit: I now have a bone stock 2014 sonic RS +new tint (25% all round and 50% up front) that I just traded an already partially modified 2014 LT hatch for, same color and everything... been a strange experience lol, downgrading and upgrading considerably at the same time.... I found out I had actually fallen in love with the 1.8, not gonna lie.
RS models are ~10mm lower than others? I think this was the only info that kinda came at me out of left field.... apart from that I absolutely love how everything looks... hard to really even do justice with photos.... overall drop in stance is freakin massive....
Biggest decision as well was tire size.... I ended up getting railroaded into 225/40's (they have them listed as "225/40ZR18")
.... but I'm grateful.... I don't think I would've like the other sizes near as much as I do these.... I WAS going after 225/45 or 235/40.... with an 8" wide rim these wheels came out absolutely perfect, thank God, lol... the tiniest bit of stretch... gorgeous... and the handling is superb. I can't imagine the extra "mush" I would've gotten with the
other sizes given the 225/40.. (I do know tire quality effects this though)... I feel these wheels had a super high risk of looking really bad/small depending on the tires they were wrapped with. I really wanted the "polished" lips on these wheels to look like they WERE the tires...
Also, my OEM RS rims/wheels with 205/50r17's were already sitting at the same lvl as the lip of the fender..... I'm not sure 235/40r18's would've fit on an RS with ZZP lowering springs.... 'twas not a gamble I was looking to waste the cost of a tire on... That's gotta be average (someone who doesn't have dedicated track days) person's #1 reason for coil-overs... being flexible on tire fitment.
VORS vr8 - 5x105 18x8 et35 (+35mm)
225/40/18 Velozza ZXV4
:banana::banana::banana:
Personally the deeper lip and drastic change in offset has me satisfied.... would I like to push them out another 5mm with spacers?... *meh* gotta admit, after having had my hands intimately on all the suspension parts and getting a deep feel for handling changes since stock, I really don't know if I'd enjoy rocking any less threads
Huge shout out to "Alexbright" on FocusST.org "alexmbright" on reddit (r/FocusST) for being literally the only person to have informative posts of these wheels (on car) that I could find online.
Here's some bonus photos.... trading in an LT 1.8 for an RS of the same year.