8.5" wheels for front and rear with different offsets
 

Because everyone has an opinion about staggering wheels, why couldn't one have the same size tires (lets say 235/35-19) and same size wheels (say 19x8.5). However, have a higher offset for the front like +40 and less on the rear, maybe + 33.

Or how about 9.5" in the rear with a 245 an +40?

I know that it is possible to put let's say 8.5 front and rear with different offsets, but I'm not sure about a +33 offset. That might not be enough room for the brakes. If i were to get wheels though they would be 8.5 front and back with lets say +43 front and +40 back. I can almost guarantee that will fit on the 8.

it's not the width that everyone says causes the problem..it's the offset.

my slant on it is, if you loose a little grip in the rear from a different setup, you gain it back with the wider rubber.

I was mulling over the idea of staggered widths on the 8 while watching the Indy car race yesterday and a thought came to mind; if you look at Indy and F1 cars, their tire sizes are staggered and they don't have trouble with handling. Besides, I tend to think that the suspension on the 8 is way beyond that which any regular street driver/weekend racer can throw at it. My thought is that if whatever you wish to do to your car will not ultimately damage the vehicle go for it and have fun. Therefore, I am putting the widest set-up possible on the rear with a slightly larger front pair. I am confident that will work out well.

Charles.

Not to throw a wet towel on things but have you guys considered tire rotation? Are you going to break your wheels down every 12K to rotate? Or a you talking about a second set for AutoX only.

Good thought, but you didn't continue it far enough. WHY do Indy/F1 cars use staggered tires? Two reasons - weight distribution; they're mid-engined with around 60% of the weight over the back wheels (static); and power output - they need the wider/larger tires in the back to handle the 600-900 hp output for acceleration traction. You can be assured, however, that their spring rates and shock absorber compression/rebound curves are specifically tuned for those tire sizes to come up with balanced handling.

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Therefore, I am putting the widest set-up possible on the rear with a slightly larger front pair. I am confident that will work out well.

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I wouldn't be nearly so confident. The RX-8 has 50/50 weight distribution, and the stock springs and shocks are tuned for balanced handling with the same size tires front and rear. Slightly different offsets, as Dugless asked about in the first post in this thread, will not affect things very much, but a staggered tire setup will make a noticeable (very detrimental) impact on the handling balance. You WILL introduce major understeer, unless you are planning to re-engineer the suspension (specifically, the springs, shocks, and anti-roll bars). Basically, you will be making your car slower and handle worse, and it will be noticeable even if you aren't driving at the limit.

Regards,
Gordon

How did Indy cars get into this thread?

Gord is on the money with this one. Staggered is probably not the way to go on the 8's stock suspension.

mdw33333, what do you think about the original question?