Hi. I have a 1984 GSL-SE that is mostly original with the stock 205-60-14 tires and what I would describe as the 4-lug "pie pan" factory wheels. I may need to replace the tires soon and I am coming up short. Tire Rack, Coker Tires and Cooper Tires have nothing in my size. Does anyone have the lug pattern/size? Also, any suggestions as far as a wheel/tire combinations? If I have to change I would want to go with a 16 inch wheel to kind of "future-proof" any necessary tire changes down the road. I would probably want a lower profile tire so that my diameter stays roughly the same for speedo/odometer reasons. Is there a formula to help make this calculation? Thanks in advance for any suggestions that you might have.

 

i think the good upgrade is a 15x7 wheel with about a 32 offset (you should do a little searching and double check), tire should be a 205/50/15, which is easy to find

the Mazda tire thing thinks 205/60/14 is not even a valid tire size!

 

i usually do a google search when i need tire to see who actually has them.
https://www.google.com/search?q=205/...w=1600&bih=738

as for wheels, as j9fd3s mentioned, the 15x7 is the usual choice but some here have gone with 16s. searching the forum should result in quite a few threads on the subject. with the SE, u already have the more common 4x114.3(4.5) pattern. unlike those of us with the 4x110.

here's a couple old threads:
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...our-fb-803729/

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...r-one-1140492/

 

Ebay has a s'=%t load of them...


https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-Force....m46890.l49286

You just need to look....🤷‍♂️

 

For an -SE you want 15x7 with about 32 offset as said above,, in the 4x114.3 bolt pattern. Enkei and other companies sell several classic styles in 38 offset, which looks better with a thin spacer (5-8mm) As you look at what other RX7 owners are using be aware the -SE cars have a different offset and bolt pattern than 12A powered non GSL-SE cars, so do your research. Willtheyfit.com is a great site to compare the offset of rims and different tires against your stockers before you buy.

 

I put 215-60-14 BF Goodrich Radial TA on the stock wheels....Does rub on the bigger Racing Beat Sway bar when turning tight....Bought them at America's Tires/ Discount Tires during three day holiday sale and got back 150 in gift cards...

 

If you have any thought of running high performance tires at some point don’t go 16. That diameter has been completely ignored by the high-performance tire manufacturers, they make lots of 15’s and 17’s but skip 16 altogether. If you just want general replacement tires you can still get them in 16, but even then, the low-profile options are lacking, so installing 16-inch wheels would have the opposite effect of future proofing your car.



Like everyone else has said 15 inch is the way to go. 23 inch tall tires are optimal for so many enthusiast cars that they will continue to be around for a long time. In fact they keep developing new tires in this size range, used to be that 205-50 was the deal, then 225-45 came out, those are mostly being replaced by 245-40 nowadays, with 275-35 on the horizon.

 

its also worth mentioning that if the GSL-SE came out today it would either have wider wheels, or smaller tires. Mazda has a tire to wheel size guideline, and 205 tire would go on a 7" wheel, 225 on an 8, etc.

so 195/60/14 would actually be more inline with what Mazda would spec now

 

I ran 195s on my original GSLSE wheels for years and they looked fine and handled fine. I think that’s your best bet if you keep OEM wheels. A few years back I was able to get reputable tires in that size.

Ive since gone to 16s, 215/45/16 and the overall diameter is basically unchanged due to the lower tire profile. Depending on your preference though 15s may look better.

 

for 205/R14


And I agree with the previous post, 195 x 14's work just fine.


For 195 R14

I have Falken Azenis RT615K+ 195/60R14 86H on my 1983 Limited Edition.