Racin_Jason Posted March 14, 2001 Share Posted March 14, 2001 Hi gang, I've just gona on along trip through the search archives..and Ive ended up in confused-ville. I found LOTs of info on 240z's WITH coilovers..and flares..and both. Yet, I cant find any info on what options there are for STOCK or lowered Z's with STOCK struts. Im assuming a 7" wide wheel is the max. Is 245 series the max also? I want the car to ride decently (for a Z), corner decently to good and HOOK UP decently with a 350. Im looking for the max tire size that will fit both front and back (different sizes is ok) with a good bit of sidewall for a bit of cushion. I like the look of the oldschool roadrace Z's with 14" rims and maybe 60 series tires that tuck into the wells (like ol #10 in the MSA catalog on the rims page). What sizes and brands would give me what Im looking for? Would Nitto drag radials in back be a good idea?..or will they lack in cornering to much? I see some members have had VERY good luck with these at the dragstrip.. I'm open to new ideas and any and all opinions. Just keep in mind that this car has to be done on the CHEAP..I'm just looking for help on getting the best performance for my dollar. Thanks much Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scca Posted March 14, 2001 Share Posted March 14, 2001 14x7" 0 offset and a 225 fits nicely under stock wheelwells.. 245 is a bit big for a 7" rim, it will fit on but squeezin' it. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted March 14, 2001 Share Posted March 14, 2001 Well interesting you should mention this... A friend of my Little brothers wrecked his car over the weekend.... Seems he squeezed to wide a low profile tire on to narrow a rim. Caused him to total loss a 89 Mustang 4 banger... He pulled the tire off the wheel on a high speed sweeper out in the country and the tire flew off the rim and over top of the car.... Before it left the road. Anyway, Check with the tire manufacturers of the tire you want to fit. I ran 225-50-15s in the rear with no problems on a 7 inch wheel. They fit ideal. However, a 245 in a 50 (Or lower profile) series requires an 8 inch wheel according to most of your tire manufacturers. If you have more sidewall, then the tolerance increases, although I've been told by tire experts that the leverage used against each tire contact patch increases as well, causing added stress on the bead of the tire. What all this means is don't do what the kid I mentioned above did... He stuck a 255-45-16 on a 7 inch wheel..... Go out to the manufacturuers web site and check their recommended info under the specs section of the tire... BFG, Goodyear, Pirelli, Dunlop, and Bridgestone all cover this Per tire! Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk [This message has been edited by Mikelly (edited March 14, 2001).] [This message has been edited by Mikelly (edited March 14, 2001).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 14, 2001 Share Posted March 14, 2001 just stepping in here. a BFG 245-60-14 will fit on a 7 inch rim as it being the smallest rim width that BFG recommends. they still make that size tire but it is a H rated tire and with a mild v8 you are looking at little to no traction. not a good rating for running very hard. if you just want the big tire look but don't care about traction and having the best smoke show around then yeh that is a good tire but as far as fitting under a stock wheel well, i don't know. i am doing the coilover because i ran 235-60-14 and there was very little room left. tire would scrub outer fender and i have the 5 slot rims with 7 inch o offset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fast Frog Posted March 14, 2001 Share Posted March 14, 2001 HMMmmmm! Is doing a "coil over" less expensive than just buying the appropriate wider rims?? I believe Jim Cook Racing and others still offer 8" and 10" rims with the stock Datsun Z offset for 15" and 16" wheels for about $150+/- each. I've got a set of Centerlines for about $600+ from JCR-10" rear and 7" front. My rear whls will take a 10" to 12" tread width with no problems. [This message has been edited by Fast Frog (edited March 14, 2001).] [This message has been edited by Fast Frog (edited March 14, 2001).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Shasteen Posted March 14, 2001 Share Posted March 14, 2001 Guys, I appreciate that info as I too have wondered what size Wheel/Tire I could run w/out suspension mod's. Thanks. Kevin, (Yes,Still an Inliner) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno74Z Posted March 14, 2001 Share Posted March 14, 2001 I asked the same question (slightly different) yesterday and have corresponded with several individuals on this very topic. Here is what I've been able to find out and this is the route I'm taking. At this time my Z does not have flares and I choose not to use them or wheel adapters but I want to fit the biggest tires I can within the wheel wells. Like I said the censuses among folks is a 17"x 8" rim with a 245/45 tire will fit provided one uses coilovers and the backspacing is 5" or just a little bit more. In offset terms, for the 8" rim its +12 - +19mm. Too much offset and you will need wheel spacers or adapters and too little the fender becomes an issue. Lots of people use the 16" x 7" Panasports rims (I don't know the offset) with 225 tires and to do minor fender rolling on lowered vehicles. I don't think you can use an 8" rim even with the correct offset without coilovers or flares one has to use one or the other. Tomorrow, I'm ordering my rims with a custom offset of +15 - I hope they fit!!! Danno74Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted March 14, 2001 Share Posted March 14, 2001 On my stock '75, I used 8" X 16" wheels with 245/45ZR16 Comp T/A tires. I had 1/4" on both sides of the tire sidwalls, which was sufficient what with the stiff sidewall on these tires. The wheels were custom made though with (hope my memory is right) 4.440" back spacing on one end, and 4.560" back spacing on the other end. I know this is splitting hairs, but I wanted the max with the OEM spring diameter and stock fenders and quarter panels (and the car was lowered about 1.5"). Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted March 15, 2001 Share Posted March 15, 2001 The centerlines I just sold were 15X8 with a zero offset (4inch backspacing) and no tire overhang on a stock fendered car with 225-50-15s on stock suspension with 1.5 inches of drop. Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racin_Jason Posted March 15, 2001 Author Share Posted March 15, 2001 Thanks for all the great info. 225's seem to be the most common answer for a 'safe' maximum. Now, the 225's are ONLY 24" tall tho. Can someoone suggest another size that would be taller, perform well AND still fit the stock wells, please? Im going to be running a th350 tranny and a 24" tall tire would be like 3400rpm at 70mph! OUCH Also, can we start posting cars with the size of rim and tire listed? I think that would be VERY helpful for anyone trying to choose a rim/tire combo Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racin_Jason Posted March 16, 2001 Author Share Posted March 16, 2001 bump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted March 17, 2001 Share Posted March 17, 2001 jason You will need to take some time to look at the charts at various sites (bfgoodrich/tires, tirerack, performancetires, etc) to see what you want. In general, a 27" tire is easily obtainable which will reduce wheel RPM down to about 780 which is about 2700rpm at the engine, (these charts will give that information usually) and this only comes in 60 and 70 series tires (getting pretty squiggly at this point) depending on the wheel diameter. Beware though, a 27" tire will get close to bodywork, especially up front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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