sick

iTrader: (1)

Anyone know of a good tire to stretch? I would prefer a summer tire that has overall good grip in dry/wet.

calvin2376

iTrader: (2)

Hey sick, or anyone else: it's interesting I found this thread, because I just discovered something related. I bought my 2007 IS350 back in January with 56k miles on it, and it had the optional 18" ISP wheels installed before delivery which I thought were staggered. But I read on the tires that all 4 tires were the exact same size, so I assumed that meant that the 4 wheels were actually all the same and not staggered. This confused me, but I thought so what.

Then I took my car in for the 60k service and the dealership went to rotate my tires and discovered that in fact they are staggered, with the rear wheels wider than the front, but the tires are all the same size. I had no idea this was possible - I thought one width of tire size fit only that same width of wheel. Apparently when the previous owner got new tires they got all the same size instead of the staggered setup that came stock.

I assume this is what you're referring to when you say stretching a tire. So my question is, why would one do this? Why wouldn't you want to have wider tires in the rear to match the staggered wheels? I'd imagine having wider contact patches, especially on a RWD car, would be a good thing.

I'm sure there are pros and cons, I just don't know much about it. Can you enlighten me?

Also sick - your car looks great, what front lip is that? And did you install HID fogs?

sick

iTrader: (1)

Hey Calvin, Stretching is more a clearance thing, running a wide wheel, low offset basically trying to fit a wheel thats not supposed to be on there. I'm only doing it so i have little to no tire rub. That's the only benifit i know of.

As for your situation. I have no idea why anyone would run such a narrow tire with a narrow wheel. Maybe they found some cheap tires in that size?

Hid fogs are in. Thanks for the links you pm'd me.

j three

I have some Toyo Proxes 4 in 225/35/20 on a 9 inch wide wheel and it stretches nice. It has a big rim protector so it looks less stretched than it is, and they are quiet and cheap too!

scoobystev

falken 512 and toyo tr1

Pete2011

I have no idea why anyone would run such a narrow tire with a narrow wheel.

j three

Stretching is more function than form, but a bit of both for sure. People get low offset rims that push the lip of the rim closer to the fenders. They stretch for clearance. Usually to clear the fender since the rim lip is flush, leaving no room for the tire. My 225/35/20 is on the front and I rubbed with a 245/35/20. I run a 275/30/20 on a 10.5 rear. I see you only have 4 posts, stick around for a while and you will understand eventually

scoobystev

some people just don't get it haha... i feel bad for them

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

You actually kinda have that backwards... people are looking for aesthetics (form) (personally, to me any stretching negates the wheels being flush), but you lose function when you stretch tires... a tire that is on too wide of a wheel has zero flex and will lose traction with the road well before the same tire on a proper size wheel - a tire relies on its elasticity and ability to move laterally under cornering forces...

that is one of the reasons drifters use stretched tires - its way easier to the the rear end loose with them...