ZG flares and wheels

[911r]

tWhat’s up guys?   I’m coming out of another car scene and have fallen in love with my 78 280z.    It’s in fair condition as is but does have a little rust under the lips of the rear fenders.    Instead of repairing it and trying to match the paint I’m going to flare it.  

With that said i also need wheels and tires That will fill the arches and give a slightly stretched tire look.    So what size wheel and tire size combo do you recommend.    Im coming out of the 911 scene and we only have Fuchs wheels and mini lites to choose from, we never had to considered offset.  
 

I can’t imagine that I’d need more than a 225/50r15 tire because I might have 130 hp in the original engine.   
 

if I were to go with work equip40 15x8 what type of offset would give me a flush look.     The wheels are 4-6 months out and I really don’t want to get the offset wrong.   
 

any help would be appreciated 

 

thanks.

 

 

Edited December 18, 2021 by 911r
Photos upside down

[madkaw]

There’s endless threads on this topic . I think you will want wider than 8” wheels to fill the ZG flares . 

[walkerbk]

My 3in flairs have 295s in the back on 11.5x15s and I still have room (maybe 315s).

 

The front I have 2in flairs and have 275s on 10.5x15s.

Edited December 18, 2021 by walkerbk

[911r]

That’s an enormous tire.  Any idea what your offset is?   I bet it sits nicely.   Currently I have 195s all the way around and the steering effort is already pretty high.     

[walkerbk]

Don't know the offset off the top of my head but its 4.25in back spacing so somewhere in the negative 30-40 range.

[280Z-LS3]

Below is a wheel offset guide I found on HybridZ

 

Under stock fenders you can fit 15x9 with a 0 to -15 offset.
Regular zg flares you can fit 15x10 front 0 to -15 offset Rear 15x10 0 to -35
Wide zg flares 15x10.5 -15 to -35 Rear 15x11.5 -20 to -35

 

Coilovers allow for more positive offset.

 

I suggest at least a 10" rim to run 275 tires.

 

My current build is getting 10"x18" rim/275 tire for front and 11.5"x18" rim/315 tire for rear.  The offsets are -12mm both front and rear (5" bs front and 5.75" bs rear) which should give flush fitment with extra wide rear and standard front Marugen Shoukai flares by my measurements.  Wheels are being made now so will know in a few weeks if I nailed fitment.  I am using 2015 Mustang hubs so my fitment most likely is slightly different than stock/oem Datsun

[280Z-LS3]

Also, it's best to have the flares on car (taped on would suffice) so you can accurately measure offset because flares brand/models differ in size.  You can always go conservative with more positive offset then dial fitment in with wheel spacers.

 

You will find that the Japanese made flares fit better than knock offs.