Staggered Vs Non-Staggered Set ups
 

I know im going to get different opinions about this but i just want to hear different views on this topic. Obviously, staggered looks a lot better but does it have any advantages. However, apparently staggered will make a huge difference (in a negative way) for the handling of the car. Been reading here and there about both set ups, the good and the bad and Here is what i concluded:

Staggered

Advantages:

• Looks better
• More traction on the road (very good for FI)

Disadvantages:

• No tire rotations
• More expensive
• Lose handling
  

Non-Staggered

Advantages:

• Tire Rotations
• Keep handling of the car

Disadvantages:

• Looks "square"

*Please add anything that i missed*

Im trying to decide what set up to go with. It seems most people go staggered. Is this mostly for looks and they dont mind sacrificing the handling a bit ??

For my purpose (street driving and sometimes tracking) what would be a better set up for me ?? Im leaning towards non staggered since the wheels i want will not allow me to run 10.5 wheels at the back without serious fender modifications.

Thanks for the input

run staggered wheels and i autocross and gymkhana. handling is superb.

I run a staggered setup and i too autox. Every person is different when it comes to how they like their car to handle, so some prefer a little bit of understeer for the look ;)

^ Do you mind not being able to rotate tires lol ?? I dont mind a bit of understeer.

Did you see the sticky on this very topic at the top of this section?

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/so-you-think-staggered-tires-wheels-great-idea-50607/

^ Read the whole thing. But what i find weird is that many people still go staggered. And they even post in that same thread saying they went staggered LOL.

I would have to disagree; depends on who you ask. A staggered setup looks terrible with concave wheels (fronts are less concave than rear).

You can (probably) make a staggered setup handle reasonably well if you have the knowledge & the patience.

However, in the end you are just adding more rotating weight, which will slow you down a bit.

And, you can make the car push consistently without resorting to a staggered setup.

But, it's your car - if you value looks over neutral handling, and don't mind giving up a little straight line acceleration, then go for it. Nothing wrong with that.

^ That was my next thought. HOw much tire would actually slow down the 8 instead of benefiting it?? Alot of people are putting 265s and 275s on the rear.

[QUOTE=Rotary-RX8;3905322HOw much tire would actually slow down the 8 instead of benefiting it?? QUOTE]

This is an excellent question, one that we autocrossers struggle with on a regular basis.

It's a tough question to answer, because a wider tire (if properly supported by a wider rim) will, in general, increase grip and therefore increase corner-exit speed, but then that wider tire & rim will slow you down in the straights, due to weight, rolling resistance, and wind resistance.

A wider tire that has a smaller diameter will give you the best of both worlds - it will give high grip and accelerate better, at least at lower speeds, but most of us don't like the way that looks.

For racing, it boils down to the venue & who you are competing against, along with the ruleset you are working in.

For the street, it boils down to which kind of fun you want more (and looks). Personally, I think 245s on 8.5" or 9" rims gives a good compromise on grip & performance, which is my street setup (18x8.5 w/245-40 Goodyear F1s). But I autocross on super light 18x9 rims and 265/35-18 tires and, due to the smaller rolling radius of the tire, I feel the pick up in acceleration every time I bolt them on (again, at lower speeds). And. I'm thinking of going to 255/35-18s to get a little more acceleration.

So, it just depends. In general, I will say that it's easier to notice & take advantage of better acceleration on the street than incrementally better grip.

[edit] I should also say that the wider the tire, the more critical it is to get a setup that properly utilizes that tire, in terms of proper negative camber and spring rates. If you are not willing to run an aggresive setup, then going to 275s is not going to pay off as much as you might think it will.

I am thinking about going 265/30 r19 all around with this size wheel.
Offset: 45mm
Backspacing: 7.08"
Bolt Pattern: 5-114
Rec. Tire Size:255/35-19
Weight: 29.5lbs
Would this give me the pros of staggered without the cons. I think it will look better also. I don't like the look of the smaller lip on the front. I like the matching look. Also, I want to be able to rotate.

^ im considering that all well. But depending on what offset i go with. I might have to go with 245 :(. I want really wide tires. Seee the way i figured it out is like this. You cant have both, either wide tires with higher offset or narrow tires with lower offset :wallbash:

say what now ross?
http://www.speedheads.de/artikelbild...97_gt3_rs1.jpg
lol jkjk it depends from car to car imo, the rx-8 looks bad when it has staggered concave wheels

Sounds like you already know what you want (wide) and the reasons for/against. My advice: before making a final decision consider this....

"Moderation in all things has many benefits."

Going big can be a slippery slope work and expense wise. Big wheels ($$$$), offset problems (fenders), wear problems (alignment/camber), mounting/replacement issues, noise and ride deficits.

With the RX-8 it's hip to be square. My best recommended solution for street & track 245/255s on 9". What 9's? Your choice for street 18", 19", 20" whatever, any differences will be minor from the drivers seat....except for ride quality, which gets noticeably worse with bigger (heavier) wheels, thinner sidewalls. For track 17" is best from almost all perspectives.

Something here is all wrong.

non staggered and not wider than 245\40 on 9" rims :)
You don't really need wide tyres on a momentum car.

^hey if he wants to put boat anchors on all four corners, wheel 29.5lbs + tire maybe ~25lbs .. so 55lbs combo ... whoa! :dunno: ... talk about rotational inertia! :rolleyes:

Been on the other topics of wheel fitment and im thinking about going staggered but you say concave rims say xxr 522 (cheap i know, college kids budget) will look dumb if i go 18x8.5/245 +20 front and 18x9.5/255 +35

What is your question? If you think the XXR 552's will look dumb staggered?

This is a very subjective question.

Also, you will be modifying fenders with those sizes. What suspension will you be using?