Why does the Toyota MR2 have such draconian backspacing tolerances? (Or, my rims are stopping me from adjusting my ride height)

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu) 07/09/2018 at 20:54 • Filed to: Toyota MR2, Wheel offset, Autocross

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Oppo, riddle me this: I can’t find any aftermarket wheels for my MR2 that’ll actually clear the front suspension. The Konig Backbone wheels are 16x7 ET40, and barely clear the coilovers at stock height.

I’ve been scouring the web for smaller offsets, but to no avail. Discount Tire has limited selection, and TireRack.com thinks an 18x8 ET40 rim will somehow fit on my car.

I want 16x7 or 17x7 (heck, even 15x7 fits too if I can find the right offset) for the front wheels. SCCA Solo rules dictate my max width is 7.5" anyway for STS-class shenanigans, so I’ll presumably find a +1 diameter 17x7.5 rim for the back. Maximum offset of +35 in front . Really +30 or thereabouts would be perfect.

Rear wheel clearance is a non-issue. I have staggered 17x7.5" ET38 Backbone wheels with 215/40R17 tires and they have huge wheel gap in every direction.

As pictured below , my fender clearances are enormous. Suspension clearance, not so much. I could safely lower my center of mass a whole inch if I had less backspacing. What brands should I look at?

I figured out how to use my camber plates this weekend too :P

My current rims reflecting on a cone, for your time.

punkgoose17 > way2blu does a rev update 07/09/2018 at 21:13

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I am not sure what wheels to go with, but you can go with other OEM wheels. 

Berang > way2blu does a rev update 07/09/2018 at 21:21

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I’m not sure what your problem is? Wheels with less backspace (ie. more room between rim and suspension) should be pretty common?

sony1492 > way2blu does a rev update 07/09/2018 at 21:25

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https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?to_desktop=true&gclid=CjwKCAjwj4zaBRABEiwA0xwsP1Zwk6qvmNR8RjNZxzpgdBzvRutuQ2boQ6bBHC_06Fg6BXfmkQ9lQhoCIW8QAvD_BwE&target=runWheelSearch&wheelMake=Kosei&wheelModel=K1+Racing&wheelFinish=Silver+Painted&initialPartNumber=KR21S&GCID=C13674x012-wheel&KEYWORD=wheels_Kosei_K1_Racing_Silver_Painted_Wheels&code=yes&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=Miata+SCCA+STR+Class&autoYear=2005&autoModClar=&checkVehicle=&src=17540115&ci_sku=KR21S&ci_sku=KR21S&ci_src=17588969&s_kwcid=AL!3756!3!72322455733!!!g!128042173453!&ef_id=WjgaEgAAAE-1GnNG:20180710011507:s

Kosei k1 15x7 +25, light, good looking, affordable. That brand in general may be something to look into.

daender > way2blu does a rev update 07/09/2018 at 21:27

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You’ll probably be looking for an ET of 35, 30, or less if you want to clear the coil overs unless you can find smaller-diameter springs. At least you have a lot more options with a 5x114.3 bolt pattern. You might have to start poking around to see if wheels from a Mitsubishi, Ford, Dodge, or other manufacturer (don’t to Subaru, Imprezas have like +55 offset!) for a 16x7.5 wheel.

Have you searched around to see what other SW20s are running for STS?  I imagine worst comes to worst, consider importing a set from Japan since they get all the cool and light stuff.

Anshu Srivastava > way2blu does a rev update 07/10/2018 at 16:23

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It shouldn’t be too hard to find wheels that will fit. I am running XXR 527 wheels on mine. Up front I have 17x7 +35 with 225/45R17 and in the rear I have 17x8.25 +35 with  245/40R17 tires on BC BR coilovers. When I was on stock suspension, I was running the same setup with a slightly skinnier tore up front. My car is slightly lowered in the coilovers so I don’t have to deal with the monster truck fender gap from the stock suspension.

Anshu Srivastava > Anshu Srivastava 07/10/2018 at 16:24

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The rear wheels  also have a +35 offset

Mr2kqql > way2blu does a rev update 07/10/2018 at 18:24

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Go with brands like SSR, WORKS or RAYS. They have a lot of different sizes and offsets. I know this because I drive a 93T  with SSR type c that clears my stock suspension. But after a while I had apexi n1 coilovers that gives me even more clearance than stock.

BoatsBoatsBoats > way2blu does a rev update 07/11/2018 at 12:53

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Ba ck when people used to use the forums for MR2's instead of the social media groups , it was common knowledge that 17x7 front and 17x8 rear, +35 all around, would give you a flush fitment. Slight rolling of the fenders might apply depending on tire size. A staggered setup like this wasn’t generally too hard to find back then.

Using math, if 7.5 is as wide as you can go in the rear, you’d need around a +22 offset to get the same fitment.

I only autox for fun so I don’t run STS class . But I’ve been running a 17x8.5 front with camber plates to tilt the suspension in and camber bolts to pull the wheel back out. That will give you just enough clearance to stuff a wider wheel up there.

In the rear you could probably stuff a 10 (maybe 11) inch wheel in the back and only have to roll your fenders. I’m running 17x 9.5 in the rear with plenty of room left on the inside.