Guest Anonymous Posted December 30, 2001 Share Posted December 30, 2001 What is the largest tire and wheel combo that can be run on a 280Z. I am considering order aset of custom wheels in 15 or 14 inch. Also what is the best wheel size to optimize handeling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 30, 2001 Share Posted December 30, 2001 If you a seriously considering ordering new wheels I would recommend that you move up to 17 inch rims. I run custom Centerline 15X8 in the front and 15x10 in the rear with 225/50/15 rubber up front and 265/50/15 rubber in the rear...only problem is that V rated or better tires are no longer made for my rear wheels in 15 inch. I visited Mike Kelly specifically for this reason in November and his recommendation for 17 inch rims is dead on. Mike also manufactures suspension components that will keep very wide tires very flat on the road. A beautiful setup that you may want to inquire about. Mike and I will be doing this to my Scarab in late March. Good luck!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted December 30, 2001 Share Posted December 30, 2001 I have to agree with only 1 or the 3 messages MacDaddy suggested (he he). I had the option of using the 16" wheels I had (10" & 12"), but the available aspect ratios made them too tall, and IMHO unfit for the handling the suspension was set up for. I opted for 17" wheels instead, and do not regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrayZee Posted December 30, 2001 Share Posted December 30, 2001 quote: Originally posted by MacDaddy: I run custom Centerline 15X8 in the front and 15x10 in the rear with 225/50/15 rubber up front and 265/50/15 rubber in the rear Ok, the front I can understand, but 265's in the rear! and they don't rub?? what year of Z do you have? I had a Z with 245/60/14's once but it also had flared fenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 31, 2001 Share Posted December 31, 2001 Now I am confused... What will it take in money and additional mods to go to 17 in wheels. Are they needed? What will need to be done to go to 16inch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 31, 2001 Share Posted December 31, 2001 possibly that's with coilovers? Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 2, 2002 Share Posted January 2, 2002 I apologize for the multiple posts, the computer was working very slow and I tried to improve the process by using my nonexistant comkputer skills. Take a look at the Chevy V8 Tech Board for a posting I put up last week for MacDaddy's 73 Scarab and you will see what it will take to get this size of tire to fit without ever rubbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted January 3, 2002 Share Posted January 3, 2002 With Coil overs Pete Paraska is running 9 inch wide wheels and 245-45-17s in the rear and NO flares. Jim and I are both running flares... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted January 3, 2002 Share Posted January 3, 2002 I agree with going to 16 or 17 inch wheels. I drive my car daily and wanted more inexpensive tires, so I went with 16" Centerlines and 205 55 16's Dunlop D60 for the best ride. The height is almost same as original and enough sidewall to absorb chuckhole shocks. I do not have coil overs and it is about the biggest tire that will fit with a little clearance (1/4" or so) on either side. I have 16x7 inch wheels with 4" backspacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 3, 2002 Share Posted January 3, 2002 I am running 17X7 on my car w/ the eibach spring which lowers the car approx. 1" have no problems and no rubbing anywhere. I am glad I went w/the bigger wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Baldwin Posted January 10, 2002 Share Posted January 10, 2002 Bubafett and all interested, Despite the current big-wheel trend, I believe fantastic street and track handling can be had with available 16, 15, and 14" tires. I run 225/50-15 Bridgestone S-03 Pole Positions for street and wet track usage, and use 225/50-14 Hoosier R3S03 DOT competition tires for dry to damp track conditions. Don't have any problems outhandling 16, 17, and 18" wheeled cars. 225/50-15s fit without rubbing anywhere on 7" wide zero offset (4" backspace) wheels on my car, which is lowered an inch or so. If you want wider street tires, you have to go to 16" wheels at least. 245/50-15 Hoosiers are available for track work, but no 245 14"ers are available. All else being equal, taller wheels are slightly heavier, and have greater polar moment than shorter wheels of the same width. Greater unsprung and rotational mass. Also, despite lower aspect ratio tires for taller wheels, they usually wind up taller overall. This means the c.g. is higher, overall gearing is taller (reduced acceleration), and braking response is reduced (less braking gs per pound effort at the pedal). If that weren't enough, taller wheels and tires are more expensive, and the tires are recurring costs. Less money for motor stuff! Lastly, it's my personal belief that the current trend in super-tall tires is in an effort to make todays tremendously oversized cars look O.K. Smaller cars (Zs, Miatas, etc.) look like they're on stilts with 17"+ wheels. (note: This is my OPINION only.) Street tire nominal ODs for available sizes: 225/50-15 23.9" 225/45-16 24.0" 225/45-17 25.0" 245/45-16 24.7" 245/40-17 24.7" DOT competition tires: 225/50-14 22.9" 225/45-15 23.0" 225/50-16 24.9" 245/50-15 24.7" 245/45-16 24.7" 245/45-17 25.7" 245/40-17 24.7" An inch increase in tire OD is roughly equivalent to a gear change from 3.70 to 3.54, or 3.90 to 3.70. Worth thinkin' about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrayZee Posted January 10, 2002 Share Posted January 10, 2002 I would like to see that article on the BRE 240z what month was the issue? BTW if you want to scan it and send it to me, I promise I won't tell anyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted January 12, 2002 Share Posted January 12, 2002 quote: Originally posted by Mikelly: With Coil overs Pete Paraska is running 9 inch wide wheels and 245-45-17s in the rear and NO flares. Jim and I are both running flares... Mike Actually, they are 255/45-17s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted January 12, 2002 Share Posted January 12, 2002 WOOOT!!! I'm NOT running flares. My tires are 245 45 17 Nitto 555Rs with coilovers in the back. I'm a C hair away from rubbing on the spring but it doesn't rub at full droop Sitting on the ground it's better but still pretty close. I don't think I could go wider on my wheels. I've got no spacers in the back either right now which is cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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