DJCatchem

Is there any place I can get info on proper wheel offsets? I'm wondering what the 3rd Gen can handle (dependant on wheel size, of course.)

I'm wanting to drop a set of 18"s on pretty badly, but I can't find much offset info from Mazda or many wheel sellers...

--->DJ
--->The Camry sold today...my '99 is going to be *very* happy within the next few weeks...=)

Eric F

Check with the Tire Rack. http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp

DJCatchem

Tire Rack relegates me to 16's...that's odd.

I'm sure I can go bigger than that...

--->DJ

Eric F

That's just their recommendation. Call and talk with a sales rep and ask about the offset.

DJCatchem

Springs and shocks come first. I still haven't decided fully on what to go with here...my thought is swaying toward the Mazdaspeed Struts and the GC kit, and from there the wheels.

I really want those 18's. =)

--->DJ

Eric F

DJ, for the cost of MazdaSpeed struts and Ground Control coil-overs, you're awefully close to the cost of AWR's true coil-overs available through Mazda Motorsports. They use a custom shortened strut housing with a specially valved Bilstein strut insert. They aren't adjustable like the MazdaSpeed struts, but since they come with springs designed for the application, that shouldn't be too big of a drawback. If you want to lower the car 2" or more, or plan to use it on the track a lot, that's the only way to go and still maintain good handling and a decent ride. They run $1400, compared to about $1100 for the MazdaSpeed struts and Ground Control coil-overs. For less than 2" of lowering and mixed street and track use, the MazdaSpeed struts and Eibach or H&R springs are an exellent combination, and the best value IMHO. Decide how much you want to lower the car, and where you will realistically be using it, and get the option best for your application.

DJCatchem

Thanks again, Eric. Informative as always. =)

I'm trying to go prety much all out on this thing in an general sense. I'm not really planning on racing it, but rather creating a daily-driver that I could go the show-car route with if I wanted.

I'd like to get a little more performance out of the car all around, and spice it up in a visual sense- Thus my desire for a set of 18's.

I don't know if I want to drop the car too far. I was planning on a 1.5" drop up front, and possibly a little more in the back (The '99 seems to be oversprung in the rear...), so that i could still manage a set of 18s comfortably. I'm nervous that going the true-coil over route at 2+ inches would be too aggressive of a drop for this application, and would make it difficult to drive on a daily basis. (I am in VT, but my driving is all large towns and highway miles.)

I got some good info on offsets, and I think I'm in the clear with the 18's.

--->DJ

Eric F

DJ, I don't know if you were on the ProtegeTech egroup or not, but there is a guy named Joe Jordan that has 18' TSW wheels and the AWR coil-overs on his street car. He is the owner of the Wheelstore and Protomotive which partnered with AWR to produce a Speedvision World Challenge touring Protege. You could look him up on ProtegeTech with a search for his name. I would suggest emailing him to get more specific info about the offset required for 18" rims. The offset will be critical to the wheels fitting without rubbing, so why not ask someone who's done it? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/protegetech

DJCatchem

I did in fact see the pics of his car, and fell in love. =)

I'll try a search to see what I can come up with for contact info for him...

Thanks again. =)

--->DJ

01MP3CLONE

Has anyone put 18" wheels on their 3rd Gen protege or protege5.

I am lookin at some 18x7.5 wheels with a 42mm offset. The offset calculator says The clearance from stut housing to the inside of the wheel will be 15mm LESS, which breaks down to just over a 1\2 inch, well im wondering if this is gonna be too close to the strut tower, and what kind of rubbin i could experience, or should i just save the additional 300 bux and go for 17s

Makaveli

I always personally thought that 17s look just right on Proteges, as well as 16s. 15s are too small, 18s too big

Mac Daddy

Check www.Protege5online.com under lowering, I think the P5 in the picture has 18" wheels. Looks pretty good. I'am going with 18"s myself.

gujustud

Hmmm.. I remember seeing a website with a Reg Pro with 18"'s, it looked pretty shweet...

01MP3CLONE

Does anyone have a answer to the technical part of this question, Im just wonderin if im lookin at damages or possibly the wheel not even fitting right. 17s are alright but, everybody has 17s, my old mustang came stock with 17s, I want something a little different. I know the 17s will fit fine and would be better for ride and so on, but im lookin for a technical answer on the if the wheel or tire might hit the strut assembly

NC_MP3

I had 18x8 inch rims on my MP3. The back tires scrubbed like hell. Had 225/40 tires on it. Dunno about the P5, but the MP3 has a lip up under the rear fenders. This lip was cutting into the tires, so I took them off. 18x7.5 may work. I would try 18x7.5 with like 215/35's on them, maybe that won't scrub.