Newbie questions about tire replacement
 

Ok, I've never replaced tires before, only rotated them, so forgive me for asking simple questions. I've been reading a lot of posts and am a little confused here:

1) If I replace tires, would it change my spedometer, and if so, how would I fix it.

2) If I change tires, can I still keep the old 18" alloy rims that came with the car? Or would I have to replace everything?

3) Is it possible to change rx-8 tires into 19" or 20" tires with those spinning rims?

4) Is it possible to have custom-made rims? I want rims that look like a rotary engine. Or even better, custom rotary rims that can spin. that'll cost...

5) How do I know which tires are compatible with the RX-8? In other words, make the car perform the way it's supposed to?

And also, I'd only be looking for tires for use in the hot sun or heavy rain in Vegas, provided if my mom lets me buy the car by the end of this year...

Okay, let the answers fly...

Re: Newbie questions about tire replacement
 

Answers:
1. No you don't need to change the speedometer. You just need to size the tires correctly in proportion to the stock size

2. You can keep the same rims or change rims.

3. 19" and 20" wheels both fit on the 8, however I do not recommend 20" wheels for this car. Spinners are genally used on cars with reverse offsets, the 8 has a postive offset. Aside from them looking ridiculous, they are not a good idea for the 8.

4. Custom made rims really aren't an option. Having them made would be outrageously expensive.

5. You must size your new tires according to the stock size and overall rolling diameter

Re: Newbie questions about tire replacement
 

I agree with mdw's answers, and the point is worth emphasizing - it's a sports car, not a bling SUV - for wheels, the most important criteria is light weight. 20" wheels are HEAVY, especially spinners etc. They'll definitely hurt performance, period.

For point 5 - check out www.tirerack.com , and look at the max performance category only.

Regards,
Gordon

Here is a helpful tool, a tire size calculator, where which you can enter in the size of your stock tires, 225/45 18" and any alternative size you might be considering:
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

Put your stock tires in one collumn and alternative sizes in the other collumn. Your result will be a comparison look at the physical measurements of your two selections. e.g. height, width circumference, diameter, etc. This is a great little tool that can give you more of an idea as to physical dimensions rather than trying to figure out the formula related to the numerical sizes. This calculator also tells you what the difference would be in relation to speed differences between sizes if youu choose a slightly different profile.

When looking for rim sizes, you need to look at a couple of other things. Offset and bolt pattern. Your stock rims are offset at 45mm. A lower number pushes them further out but also causes a few problems. One problem could be rub, depending on what other factors such as diameter of the tire or what you do to modify the stock suspension by lowering it if you choose. A second problem may be related to handling. By moving the wheels and tires further out, your handling performance may be significantly reduced since the 8 is equally weight proprotional between the front and back and any major changes in tire stance may effect this. Your bolt pattern is 5 on 114.3mm (4.5 in.)

Gord is good, he sent you to the best place for the best prices for tires that I have found on the Internet. They have a great selection of performance tires to choose from.

All the rest of the info they said above is very sound advice.

Best of luck to ya!

Scaaaareeeeech!

Thanks

Re: Re: Newbie questions about tire replacement
 

Did you see the episode of American Chopper where they were showing custom wheels being made from billet aluminum? The custom wheel shop can make any design into a custom wheel. They also engineer it to minimize weight.

It's his money.

Re: Re: Re: Newbie questions about tire replacement
 

OK, let me refrase that. "Custom rims aren't an option for anyone in their right mind." The whole concept (in my opinion) is a bit silly and simply not practical. However, if he can't find a wheel he likes amongst the thousands on the market, then I guess that would justify spending $10,000 on a set of "custom made" aluminum wheels.