question about going lower with smaller tire diameter

[sonni_kuba]

hello all,

well the old saying is sooo true, "once you go lower, you wanna go EVEN lower"

2011 picked up the car and drove it stock for 1 year
2012 dropped it 1.2/0.8 F/R and drove it for another year
2013 dropped with coilovers to finger gap; F 24.5" R 24.7"R fender height
2014 ... I am aiming for <24 fender height

Seeing how this has become a warm weather hobby car, I am prepared to make further sacrifices to ground clearance

Here's my question, currently I am running

225/40/18 -> 25.1" diameter

I am planning to switch to

215/35/18 -> 23.9" diamater

Now, if I just swap the tires and not change adjust the coilovers, I would be 0.6" lower to the ground, but also have a 0.6" bigger tire/fender gap, correct?

If, I swap the tires, and adjust the coilovers back to a single finger tire/fender gap, then i will be 1.2" lower, correct ???

I'm sorry if this is self-evident, but just want to make sure my reasoning is logical.

Thanks

 

[Chris Vu]

I don't see a problem with that logic .. But why not keep your tire size, and lower it that 1.2" instead ?

 

[agginline86]

as long as you avoid tucking those wheels
the slammed look is so ricey. bleh.
your car is so perfect!

but yeah that sounds right with the measurements
wont be exactly that as it varies slightly between brands of tires

 

[sonni_kuba]

I don't see a problem with that logic .. But why not keep your tire size, and lower it that 1.2" instead ?

I am already rubbing a bit, so going to 215 vs 225 has another benefit

 

[sonni_kuba]

as long as you avoid tucking those wheels
the slammed look is so ricey. bleh.
your car is so perfect!

thanks! Funny thing is that when I first dropped it on springs I thought it's perfect too. then, when I dropped it on coilovers I thought I am not going any lower again .... oh well, it's an addiction

 

[Valet]

Yeah the smaller will just make it lower anyways.

I'm at 23" all the way around and it doesn't even look that low to me anymore

 

[RedRyder]

Going with a narrower section width should be enough to give you the stretch you need to avoid rubbing, but I wouldn't go with a 35 profile.

 

[sonni_kuba]

Going with a narrower section width should be enough to give you the stretch you need to avoid rubbing, but I wouldn't go with a 35 profile.

why not 35, harsh ride ???

 

[RedRyder]

Eh more looks, no matter how low a 6GA is a 35 profile still looks small on an 18" rim. If you can make your fitment work just by stretching the section width and leaving the profile at 40 I'd go that route. But if you cannot achieve what you want without going lower profile, then I guess that's a logical choice. If you do this, I'd look for some tires that run a little fat so the tire doesn't end up looking quite as anemic. i.e. Cooper RS3's etc.

But I think people can usually achieve what they want by just stretching the section width more.

 

[Brad2274]

^this deserves rep.
i think your car looks good at your height, it's got a sporty look, stancing it might change that a bit but im not sure. kinda reminds me of an rc car(in a good way)lol.
also remember, 1.2" lower means you'll probably scrape a lot more