15" or 16" tires and staggered wheels

[Guest jjohart]

Hmmm...spring's coming, and I've been searching for a long time for a set of wheels. My first choice was a 16" set with 215 front/225 rears..but there are very few wheels with four bolt patterns, much less availability in varying front/rear widths.

My question is, is it a safe assumption to make that, on a 83 280ZXT, which uses the SAME stock suspension as a non turbo, that the 205 60 15 and 15" wheel set up is the best one for street only handling and comfort?

I was also wondering if anyone running 16's, staggered or not, could attest to how much of a comfort loss they get over crummy roads (Massachusetts doesn't have anything else in roadway!).

Thanks

John

[fl327]

16s and a good tire will give you a good ride, but you may hear the road a little more, but it wont be bad at all. 225/50-16 all around rides really good in a zx, ive run 225/45/17 in my zxt before and loved it, but yes I did hear the road a little more but that was to be expected. Handling was good with the 17s as well. I ran 205/55-16 on the back of my z and it was great too, didnt notice much if any difference driving wise on the 16s vs 205-60-15 that is on the car now, I personally like 215/60-15 on the stock zxt wheels, rides good enough for me, but im not a guy for the turns as much as I love a straightaway.

[Brad-ManQ45]

I have Eibachs and Illuminas on my ZXT. Was running 205/60/15's on stock rims (Michelin MXV4's), then got 16X7" w/205/55's on front and 225/50's on rear (GSC's).

 

Noisier, but ride wasn't bad - didn't last long though.

 

Bought F1 Steels (same sizes) and ride did get a little worse - much stiffer sidewalls.

 

I DEFINITELY would not put 17" on either of my Z's.

 

For drag, I'd like a 14X8 to put some DR's on the rear....

 

For street/autocross, 15 or 16 inches.