Well, since a lot of people have been asking about what fits and how lately, i thought i could make a thread about it. I would like others to contribute, so that in the end, we could have a sort of "wheelguide" for the first gen!

To start of in general with some FAQ`s.

Q: What wheels will fit my 1.st gen?

Answer: due to the uncommon bolt pattern and high offset of the 1.st gen from 79-83, there isn`t a lot of new rims out there. There are however ways to get by this!


Q: Wait, wait, bolt pattern? Offset? Please explain!

Answer: OK, here we go. The RX7 is available with two bolt patterns. The early ones are the most uncommon ones, the late 84-85`s had a more common one. The pattern is 4*110 for the old ones, and 4*114,3 for the latest. So what do you have? Well here is a little picture of how to measure your bolt pattern with a ruler, measuring tape etc.



Measure the length between two opposite holes. The easiest is to do it on the rear axle. Its also easier if the wheel is off the car! The result in mm is your bolt circle. You should be able to measure eiter 110 or 114,3. Then count the number of bolts. There should be 4! If not, you are lacking a bolt or you have a transplant axle from another car! The first gen, as said, was only available with 4 bolts!

Right. You should now have measured your way to the mentioned numbers stated above. This is your bolt pattern.

Q: OK, i got the bolt pattern part, but im not sure of the offset?

Answer: You cant measure the offset without the desired rim. Normally this is inscripted in the rim itself, or any good wheel shop should know what offset the rim is. Here is a pic, hope you understand



See? Basically the offset is the distance from the mounting part of the rim to the imaginary center of the rim. The lower the offset, the longer out the wheel sticks. The early RX7`s require a low offset, especially with large wheels.

Q: Aha, i get it. But what size can i get?

Answer: The RX7 originally had 13`s, and at the end of production it went up to 14`s This said, there is no problem going bigger than this. 15`s are common and probably the easiest and the best comfort/performance option. On the oldest RX`s, 16`s will fit with minimal to no rubbing. The newer ones can with up to 17`s. Of course, this depends on what tire size you choose. A good rule of thumb is not to go more than 5% than the original rolling diameter. (the diameter of the rim/with tire)

Larger rims will also fit, there are people running 18`s on the old SA`s. This will require rolling of the fender lips, and/or modification of the inner/outer fender.

Generally, the bigger the tire, the lesser the comfort. Performance wice, for a road car, i would not recommend anybody going over 16`s. The profile of the tire also has a lot to say.

Q: Profile? 15`s? My tires have 205/60-13 on the side. What does this mean?

Answer: Easy one, but for those of you that dont know: 205 is the width of the tire in mm, hence 205 equals 20,5 centimeters (gotta love the metric system). 60 is the profile of the tire. This means that the height of the tire, measured from the rim out is 60 % of the width! 13 is the size of the rim itself (without tire) and 13 equals 13".

Q: Aha i get it. But now im having a hard time finding rims that fit!

Answer: well, as stated in the beginning, the selection is limited if you just search for 4*110. (The 4*114,3 is more common, no problem finding rims here) There are however some solutions. You can for example:

1. Do a suspension swap from a GLS-SE. Not only does this give you a more common pattern, but you also get rear disc brakes and LSD!
2. Redrill the rims. Some vendors offer this service, usually at a fair price.
3. Use 4*108 rims with "loose head" bolts. This requires the use of bolts that has loose heads that allows you to fit 4*108 (Ford etc.) on your 1.st gen. i myself has ran this option for 3 years now, no problems here. Just make sure the boltheads are steel and not copper. (Copper breaks)
4. Import wheels from Japan or Australia. For example Simmons can deliver, but the price is hefty, plus shipping. not a cheap option, but you get what you pay for.
5. Ebay. Now and then there are wheels in the desired size on auction. Happy hunting!

 

I want to add a note:

Q: I can't find 4 x 114.3 listed in my wheel guide?
A: In some wheel guides, this is also listed as 4 x 4.5" . This is a very common American measurement for a wheel, and this is often listed in inches instead of millimetres. You will never find 4x110mm listed in inches though.

Jon

 

a very good guide.

 

I was looking at some wheels and I the chart they had was something like this

Holes Size PCD ET
10 17x7 5X100/114.3 42mm
8 17x7 4X100/114.3 42mm
8 17x7 4X100/108 42mm

And I saw this and got confuesd .....some one please explain....lol, thanks


-Nil

 

they have both sized holes...the four lugs actually have eight holes(like alot of hondas I see rolling around)

 

mortenf- a really great informative post. I have added it to my RX-& file but it should really go to the forum archives as the same basic questions keep coming up.

Congratulations

 

You can also special order rims from the manufacturer in almost any bolt pattern and offset.

 

Even though I have an GSL-SE this is really good stuff!

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Excellent post, this should be included in the FAQ!

 

Just alittle correction on bolt pattern size. 79-85 all 12a vehicles in the US have a 4x110mm bolt pattern. The Gsl-Se started in 84-85 and has the 4X114.3.

 

so what is the correct offset to have in order to have a wheel with a lip to it BUT not to stick out pass the body line? Like Panasports.
I have heard from +15mm to +20mm offset or a 4 1/2 " backspacing. Can anyone confim the correct info for offset/backspacing?
L8R

 

Do a search under wheel fitment or wheel offset, i'm sure you'll find the answer there.

 

Also, what can you get away w/ in means of width of the tire? With the proper off set can you for example, put 15x7 215s @ all four corners and not have it rub/stick out of the body lines of the car?

Ryan

BTW--> If this is going to be a 'guide' thread, then you cannot just respond w/ the same old "go search that, you'll get all the answers you'll ever need and more!" B/c that does not always happen.

 

Also, what bolt pattern is the 1985 12as, 4x110 or 4x114.3???

 

Ryan, i did not start the thread. I went to it trying to get another answer for a fellow member and found the discrepency and put a note to correct it.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by BridgePorted12A
Ryan

BTW--> If this is going to be a 'guide' thread, then you cannot just respond w/ the same old "go search that, you'll get all the answers you'll ever need and more!" B/c that does not always happen.

+1

 

That's what i just posted up to correct the original thread. 79-85 12a = 4x110 84-85 13b =4x114.3.

 

Sorry Newbie. Now i get what you guys are saying. All the reponses should be related answers to the questions asked.

Now with that said if no one answers, go do a search.

 

Newbie? You're so lame dude. Give me a break. Who do you think you're talking to?? Just b/c you have 2,000 post probably of your smart *** saying somthing along the lines of: "FTW!!, +1, BS, Repost, and word I am the rx-7 dotor," and you happened to have $1500 to buy a 1st gen just like everyone else, doesn't make you extraordinary.

 

I guess i'm talking to someone with NO sense of humor. And all new members are Newbies by the way it's nothing personal just an initiation. And by the way, you can do a search on my posts and see how many times i have helped and no i'm not extraordinary. Just a guy that has alot of experience with these cars and shares it with fellow members when i am able to.

So you can either re-read the post and see that i'm just foolin with you and calm down or not, it's your choice.

And i'm not sure what FTW!!,+1,Bs,repost means by the way. Am i missing something?

 

I'm with you, Doc. The quality of your posts far outwiegh the quantity.
Besides, anyone who has to ask what the bolt pattern is on a 12a car, is a newbie, regardless of number of posts...... LOL

 

Does anyone have photo of loose fitting lug nuts on a 108mm pattern? or has anyone used an drill the holes out +.03 to get the lugs to fit? How do you account for the tuner style lug tapers? Are the 1st gens lug or hub centric. Thanks. The reason I ask is my car had ford mustang wheels on it the owner had drilled out +03. I sold off everything but the rear axle, and now don't see how he made it work. They are 110mm with wheel stud conversion. I see so many lightweight wheels 15x6.5 and 17x7 with 4x108mm for $250-400 a set of 4 (rota).

 

Yea, I'm going to have to come to the defense of rx7doctor on this one. I've received unmeasurable help from A.J. He's always been very helpful, and willing to go out of his way to provide information for whoever wants/needs it. While he DOES know a great deal about these cars, I've never felt like he thought he was extraordinary or above everyone else...just another one of the guys.

Just my $0.02.

Rich

 

^Sorry Rx7Dotor, I did get pretty offended when I guess I shouldn't have. I kinda went a little over board on that last post, calling you out and all. I have to admit, I was pretty surprised that you didn't lash back at me on your last post, shows the maturity on your side. Yes I did re-read the post and you guys are right....I guess I was just not in that great of mood and took it out on you, my apologies

Ryan