wheels and tires for 93 legacy

[MP]

I am interested in putting some late model WRX wheels 6.5 x 16 and tires
205/50/16 on my 93 legacy sedan. I know that the bolt pattern and
overall diameter is identical to the OEM wheels.

Does anyone know if I can fit larger tires like 215/55 or even 225/55 on
the WRX wheels without hitting the wheel wells. I don't think I want to
alter the stock suspension at this time unless it is the only way.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[S]

Hi MP!

I am interested in putting some late model WRX wheels 6.5 x 16 and tires
205/50/16 on my 93 legacy sedan. I know that the bolt pattern and
overall diameter is identical to the OEM wheels.

Does anyone know if I can fit larger tires like 215/55 or even 225/55 on
the WRX wheels without hitting the wheel wells. I don't think I want to
alter the stock suspension at this time unless it is the only way.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Lessee, the OEM tires are 195/60/15 aren't they? That is a diameter of
around 24.5 inches, with an overall width of ~7 inches. The 205/55/16
RE92 supplied on the WRX is 25" X ~8" and should work just fine. The
215/55 will be just a bit larger, and will probably also fit w/o
problems. The 225/55 will be an inch larger in both dimensions, and
might have issues.
Best bet will be to either borrow a WRX wheel/tire, or buy the set
you're interested in, and mount both front and back. Feel around
between the strut and tire, and between the fender/wheelwell and tire
to see how much room you have (work steering lock to lock also).
Then visit Tirerack and do some research; their tire specs are pretty
complete. I'd say put on a 225/50 if there's room for the additional
width.
Handy calculator available here:
<http://www.geocities.com/gmfwd/pages/tirecalc.html>

ByeBye! S

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[MP]

Thanks Steve for the reply!

The stock wheels are 185/70/14 and the WRX are 205/50/16
I was hoping to use the Bridestone Potenza RE 750 (rave reviews on Tire
Racks site) in size 225/50/16 as this tire is made in this size.
Seems like you agree. Thanks. I could also use the 205/55/16 or even the
205/55/16 for still more ground clearance if they would fit.

Tire Rack seems to be conservative and stick with the stock sizes.

Unfortunately I have no way of trying either as I don't have them yet.
I would not mind getting slightly more ground clearance from a taller
tire and was hoping that someone had already crossed this bridge.

 

[S]

Hi Again, MP!

Unfortunately I have no way of trying either as I don't have them yet.
I would not mind getting slightly more ground clearance from a taller
tire and was hoping that someone had already crossed this bridge.

Well, I don't know where you are, but a polite request here, and
perhaps on i-club would probably find some kind soul near you who
would be willing to let you borrow a wheel off of a rex long enuf to
check things out.
I'm in Palmer Lake CO; if you're anywhere nearby you're certainly
welcome to stop in and demo a wheel. The RE92s are long gone, but I
have a set of Kumho V700s on the stock 16 inch WRX alloys that are
225/50.
We _had_ a '93 Legacy sedan in the back yard; I'd put one on for you
and report back, but we just sold it the other day. It had 195/60/15s
on Subaru alloy wheels, which I thought was the OEM sizing. Maybe a
dealer upgrade? Anyway, good luck; report back when you determine if
the 225/50 is a go/no-go.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[dzzrt]

you will likely run into tire to strut clearance problems with anything over a 205 width unless you change offsets or run spacers.. & for sure you won't be able to chain up. I had to quit at 205/60/15 on my '96 any bigger & I couldn't fit chains nor cables