Another wheel thread

[woobler]

Hello, I've been searching for about a month on wheel size/offset for my 1981 280zx.  I am interested in getting a set of Rota RKR wheels and I've found a staggered set which are 17x8.5 -10mm offset and 17x9.5 -20mm offset.  Does anyone know if these will fit for sure?  I'm planning on running 235's in the front and 255's in the rear, and the car is lowered on Eibachs.  

 

Thanks

[BluDestiny]

The rears will fit fore sure with a 255/40/17 regardless of the suspension. The front is a little different. I have s13 coilvoers and my limiting factor is how close the wheel/tire comes to hitting the spring perches due to width of the tire. On a spring/strut suspension, you will run into hitting the spring perch due to diameter of the tire (I think you can only go up to a 25" tire based off the center of the hub). 

 

The only 235 I know of that is readily available is a 235/45/17 which will have a 25.3" diameter. 

 

This is a 255/40/17 on a 17x10 -20 wheel:

 

This is a 235/45/17 on a 17x9 -28

 

Those pictures are with s13 coilovers. Unfortunately there is no real drop in wheel for the fronts. This is why I am eventually getting custom sized CCW's. 

 

Do you have stock springs and struts or coil overs? 

[woobler]

Stockish springs and struts.  KYB shocks and Eibach springs.

[G-Tech]

i run 17x7 with 225/45/17 and 17x8 with 235/45/17, 0-offset on both. i have 400whp and the rear likes to squat so i actually had to trim the front of the wheel well cause the tire pulls fwd as it squats. i have plenty of traction with only 235"s on the rear. and i like having a 45 side wall cause it gives the tire a lil flex for launching, instead of a real lo profile tire that wont give good traction for taking off. i hear and see of people doing wider rims and tires but i dont know how they are not rubbing when hitting bumps or when the suspension travels alot. 

[woobler]

i run 17x7 with 225/45/17 and 17x8 with 235/45/17, 0-offset on both. i have 400whp and the rear likes to squat so i actually had to trim the front of the wheel well cause the tire pulls fwd as it squats. i have plenty of traction with only 235"s on the rear. and i like having a 45 side wall cause it gives the tire a lil flex for launching, instead of a real lo profile tire that wont give good traction for taking off. i hear and see of people doing wider rims and tires but i dont know how they are not rubbing when hitting bumps or when the suspension travels alot. 

Hmmm, maybe I should consider a setup like yours.  I plan on LS swapping my car as well.  What motor mounts did you use for your swap?

[G-Tech]

im very happy with my setup. no major trimming or mods, or no fender flares.to get a 17in rim, 4 lug with 0-offset is pretty hard. i had mine custom made by Boze wheels. you can go that route, or you could do a 16 in rim with a 50 series side wall (there is some options for 16in rims) or i have seen there is now a 5 lug conversion for s130 (more options for 5 lug 0-offset rims) from techno toy tuning or arizona z car i think has it. if your doing the whole Ls swap i would get stronger stub axles from modern motorsport with the 5 lug. all depends on how crazy you wanna get. a small block chevy is the easiest swap. it will be great at the drag strip but not too great for roadcoarse stuff. if you wanna do the Ls swap, its alot of work but there is a thread i started in the V8,Genlll & lv  section called 280zx's with Ls swaps. that"ll give you an idea on what to do. PM me any other specific questions if you like on the swap. 

Edited May 11, 2017 by G-Tech