Are aftermarket steel 14"'s that I can get from anywhere going to clear the ft calipers? I'm pretty sure the drums are small enough, but please let me know.

Also is a +30 or +25 going to stick out farther than the stock +35? I can never remember which way it goes.

Thanks,
J-

 

If you get 14's that were from a late 90's Corolla and even earlier Celicas they will fit fine. I traded my stock 15's for 14's from a friends 99 Corolla. Then I went with ICW Wheels, 14x7 +38 and new tires. Works great and improves the ride a lot.

Walt

 

Thanks, that's just what I was looking for. There is a place on-line that sells new 14"s for $40-/ea. and that's probably where I'll go.

But does the +38 make the outside edge of the rim closer to the frame or does it push it out? I get the +/- thing mixed up.

 

The +38 is stock so the wheels would be exactly where they are now. Not absolutely sure but I believe a larger number pushes the tire further out and a smaller number closer in. The "rub" comes in at the front where a smaller offset would probably contact the caliper eventually as the offset becomes smaller.
As far as cost, I was offered used ones at a junkyard for 15.00 each. These are a very popular wheel configuration for Toyota and others so finding them should be a piece of cake.
Someone please correct me if this is wrong or backwards.

Walt

 

smaller number = pushed out farther. i have a low (proper ) +25 offset and look how far out the tire is:



the higher offset you get the closer to the inside of the car or "sunken in" the wheels will be. anything over +40 is pushing it as it will start to rub the inner side of your wheel against suspension parts. if you can help it dont go under +38 unless you are sure they will not rub.

also, the rub will be when you turn your front wheels full lock and on the rear theres a small welded bolt that sticks out from the suspension arm. those are the 2 main rubbing spots you'll have a problem with of you dont run the proper offset/size wheel and tire

 

Thanks. I guess I had a 50/50 chance on that one

Walt

 

don't feel bad wheel math isn't totally intuitive i only recently got a grasp on it researching my wheels. +25 up front is perfect and for the rear it would be a +15 for a 7" wide wheel. it makes it "superflush" with the body of the car.

 

You could even look for a echo owner would want to do a even swap for your 15" wheels

 

Thanks everybody, very helpful. Plus I think I finally have a grasp on the offset lingo.

I'm going for a van look these days with some Goodyear 205/70-14's.

Anay suggestions for hubcaps or an east coast chromer.

 

Are you sure that those tires will fit the wheel well? I was told that they were too tall and big in diameter....what is your take on that?

 

I am a big believer in 14's in theory - for the taller sidewall which produces a better ride.....rubber band tires are crazy I think....look cool and lose your kidneys.....tres hip!!

 

I hear ya. Riding on condoms is great in smooth corners, but here in Mass it's not fun to worry about denting a rim every half-mile.
That size will fit in the back fine, but the front is going to take a bit of work. The width is all right at the top by the shock, but there are two bulges in the chassis in the back of the wheel well that require a small ammount of grinding so that the edge of the tire won't rub when you're fully turned. No big deal and I might just see if I can hammer them in the 0.4" I need.

Anyone want to buy some 18" Chrome Kazera KZ-R rims w/ Pirreli 215/40-18's?
Only 7K miles on'em and lookin' fine! I paid 1600 and I'll let'em go for 800.

 

Post some pics of the old school van after you do it.....

 

As to the 205/70x14's fitting. if you go to this site and plug in the numbers you will see that the 14 is only .78" taller than the 15 stock.
http://gs.tolan-hoechst.com/tirecalc.htm
I don't think that would be a problem. The 196/65x14's that I am running have bookuu room left. The 205's will make the speedo about 1 or 2 mph off (read slow) and the odo will be 5 to 7 percent low, but the ride will definitely be much nicer!

Walt

 

so...as I understand it....ride is affected by;

a) side wall height AND more importantly...

b) volume of air - wider stance tires have more air than narrower tires so...

it is the combination of height and width that produce a smoother softer ride - not just sidewall height, correct?

 

you got it saicow,
a little from column A and a little from column B. However the word ride implies an overall evaluation. We're just talking about bump absorbtion and making my xB look like a little van. Not a mini-van, a little van as they prefer to be called. Cornering, braking and tracking are better with wider tires with less side-wall. To a point of course. 18/35's are just not enough rubber in my opinion unless they're 225+. I've got 18/40-215's right now which I think are perfect for getting good performance and style out of the box. (yes, the pun was intended).


Don't fight the wagon. Remember the hippo.

I'll post some before and afters once I get this done.

Anyone want to speed up the process by buying my wheels????

 

Thanks to Walt,
There's also a wheel size calculator set up by mazda I think which I've been using. You can google: wheel size calculator to find it.
Walt, what are you using to dress up your 14's? Or are they Al+?

 

I'm running ICW Tuner Aluminum. I don't know if they are alloy, cast, forged, or what. I used to call them mag wheels but everyone on here thinks that is so 1960!!!
I love them as the lighter weight has made a noticable "feel" improvement all around.

Walt

 

Tirerack has tire diameter info. Remember that JDM cars come with 185/65R15 tires, and there is a little room to grow from there. If you keep the diameter within an inch of stock you won't have any clearance issues.

I really doubt that there will be any brake caliper clearance issues at all. The brakes are really tiny and you could probably go to 13s and still have plenty of space.