I am considering buying a set of wheels, specifically the AME TM-02s. I was looking at the 17x9s to get the Tradition face as opposed to the Flat face, with 235s in the front and 255s in the back. However, I am trying to avoid doing any fender mods as I would like to be able to return the car to stock at some point if I so desire. My question is, is it possible to run 17x9+63 wheels up front with 235/40/17 tires without doing any fender mods? The car is at stock ride height. I understand I'd probably have clearance issues with the front control arm and that steering rack limiters might be needed.

If anyone has photos of a setup like this, that'd be very helpful.

 

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticl...and-Tires.aspx

 

At stock ride height you may be ok. You will still have to be vary careful when exiting driveways or really anytime the wheel is turned and the suspension is compressed. I would check often for any signs of rubbing because once it gets through the fender liner it will grab the fender and mess up the fender and your tire.

 

This exact question seems to come up about once a month, so you could probably search and find out. I will indulge you however. Someone else may be able to confirm but the problem with this fitment is not rubbing the upper control arm, but the large factory coilover. If you had after market coilovers you wouldn't have a problem with running this set up without rubbing. So the alternative is to run a spacer, which is going to compromise your outer fender fitment, which will likely result in needing to roll.

Just for your fitment reference, I run a 10" +58 up front which is 1-2mm away from rubbing the upper control arm at full lock. This set up protrudes inward roughly 7mm more then your theoretical set up would, but again your OEM coilover is the clearance issue.

 

Thanks for the quick responses guys. That link is pretty helpful spdracerut

I did search s2000Junky, I've seen quite a few people running 17x9+63s all around with 255s. I found a couple of threads with people talking about trying 235s in the front with 255s in the rear but I didn't find anybody who actually tried it and came back to post about it. It's not so much the 235 tires themselves, but the stretch they get on the 9-inch wheels necessitating fender rolling that I'm worried about. Thanks for the info on the coilover assembly issues, from what I've read it seems that 17x9+63s generally have problems with the actual wheel rubbing on the control arm whereas +60s do not.

 

Yes its a popular configuration but most are on aftermarket coilovers who run these rims, and your not so the rubbing would potentially be on the coilover as mentioned, not the upper control arm. The 235 tire would improve your tire clearance on the fender not make it worse, but the rim itself is where the clearance is at play, not the tire. I suspect those running 255 with these rims are rubbing the upper control arm from the tire not rim, since its square/bulged on a 9" rim, where as my more aggressive 10" +58 with 255 doesn't rub at all. Alignment and ride height should be factored in some as well. I'm lowered 2". Sometimes this adds clearance over stock in other areas of the suspension/steering components due to its geometry/angles.

All else the same, if I were to put your 9" +63/235 combo on my car, id have tons of room inside and out.

If I were you id probably give it a go, but with the anticipation of needing to run at least a 3-5mm spacer to clear your coilover, and if it still isn't enough then prepare to run more and roll your fenders. You likely will gain clearance by lowering your car as well, even just a 1" spring drop should set your inner rim higher up on the coilover to add room due to its mounting angle. I would get under the car and start inspecting/measuring proposed distances.

 

Thanks for the explanation. Threads like the one below seem to give conflicting information so I appreciate it.
17x9 plus 63 in the fronts

 

Why run a 9" rim upfront if your only going to put a 235 size tire. Run a 8" rim.

Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup

 

I am running a 17x9+63 in the front with a chunky 255 Hankook RS3 lowered 1.25 inches on stock CR dampers with Swift Spec R springs. I do not rub or make contact with my spring/damper. I have never in my life used full steering lock so I dont find it a problem that if I were to use full steering lock I would rub my control arm.

I did trim my fender liners and bend the fender tabs up out of the way. I am running -3.1 front camber with Hardrace camber joints which push the bottom of the wheel out.

If you drive you car hard you will have to do minor fender mods.

 

Technically for what its worth, 9" would be the better performer on that 235 tread width. For the same reason a 255 performs better on a 10". But if all your ever planning on running is a 235, then 8" would be a easier compromise.