1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

wheel fitment questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 03:35 PM
  #1  
CaptainKRM's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Land o Lakes, FL
wheel fitment questions

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-15X7-40-Offset-4x100-4x114-3-DRAG-DR-44-Gold-Wheels-Rims-/310731961377?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Wheels&hash=item4859117421&vxp=mtr
i have a GSL-SE and was wondering if anyone here had tried this size or something similar, with what size tire and what other feedback?
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 04:42 PM
  #2  
wankel=awesome's Avatar
carb whisperer
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 4
From: Greenfield, Ohio
Originally Posted by CaptainKRM
4 New 15x7 40 Offset 4x100 4x114 3 Drag Dr 44 Gold Wheels Rims | eBay

i have a GSL-SE and was wondering if anyone here had tried this size or something similar, with what size tire and what other feedback?
I ran 15x7 with a +25mm offset and it still rubbed a bit on the front with 205/50/15 kuhmos. My car was an 84 GSLSE.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 06:35 PM
  #3  
Cameron38's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Wheel size, offset and/or bolt pattern alone are not specific enough criteria to ensure an exact fitment.
Other Variables like the brake caliper shape can affect proper clearance and fit. I know that TireRack tests each wheel individually on the vehicle either manually or electronically using the CAD data.
Most sources recommend 205/55's on 15x7 wheels for the 84,85 SE.

Last edited by Cameron38; Oct 16, 2013 at 06:39 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 07:15 PM
  #4  
mustanghammer's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 288
From: Parkville, Mo
That wheel will fit over GSL/SE brakes front and rear. I would be confident in saying that every 15" wheel will fit that brake set up. GSL/SE brakes are not that big. In fact I have seen 13" wheels on RX7's with GSL/SE brakes.

That offset will work on the back. I have test fitted a set of 15x7s that had a 38mm off set on the back of my RX7 race car. Those wheels had 225/45 x15 Goodyear DOT racing tires on them and the fit was good with room to space them out a little. I cannot comment specifically on front fitment because my race car doesn't have OE brakes on the front.

That said, the wheels I was working with were used on an 84 GSL/SE race car front and back and they were running the same 225/45x15 tires all the way around. They did have to roll under the fender lips. But keep in mind that this is on a race car that was lowered quite a bit.

You may have to use some wheel spacers (particularly up front) to get them to clear everything. Also, you would need to have coil overs on front to make this work. As far as tires go, you want a tire that is 23" in diameter or shorter. So a 205/50, 195/50 up to a 225/45 fits that range. Keep in mind that not all tires, regardless of the P metric size, have the same actual measurements. So spend some time looking at actual outer diameter, section width and tread width measurements.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 09:32 PM
  #5  
rwatson5651's Avatar
79 w 13B4port
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 62
From: Alabama
I am running 15 x 7 Drag 19 wheels with a +40 offset on my SA which has an SE suspension. The +40 positive offset is a bit much and the inside of my 205/50-15 Yokohama Aoo8s were very close to the spring seats, not touching, but very, very close. So I am running some 5mm spacers that are hub and wheel centric which produces a net offset of +35, and they are perfect. My fenders are rolled, but I think they would fit fine even without them being rolled.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 11:20 PM
  #6  
CaptainKRM's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Land o Lakes, FL
Originally Posted by rwatson5651
I am running 15 x 7 Drag 19 wheels with a +40 offset on my SA which has an SE suspension. The +40 positive offset is a bit much and the inside of my 205/50-15 Yokohama Aoo8s were very close to the spring seats, not touching, but very, very close. So I am running some 5mm spacers that are hub and wheel centric which produces a net offset of +35, and they are perfect. My fenders are rolled, but I think they would fit fine even without them being rolled.
So with spacers and GSL-SE suspension this wheel would fit fine. What made you decide to use a 5mm spacer vs something smaller?
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2013 | 10:20 PM
  #7  
rwatson5651's Avatar
79 w 13B4port
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 62
From: Alabama
I mounted them on the car, checked how close they came to the spring seat, measured the space between the outside of the tire and the fender to decide the thickness of the spacer. Plus the company that made the spacers said that 5mm was the thinnest they make and still be hub and wheel centric. That was important to me. It prevents any problems with vibrations etc.

Ps I am very happy with these wheels, they are fairly light and very cheap, but still look good, I wanted something that looked like a BBS wheel but the Drag wheels were the only ones I could find in 15 x 7.

BTW there was a guy on the classified section selling a set of Drag 19s in 16 x 7 with nice tires for a good price, he may still have them.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2013 | 10:50 AM
  #8  
CaptainKRM's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Land o Lakes, FL
Originally Posted by rwatson5651
I mounted them on the car, checked how close they came to the spring seat, measured the space between the outside of the tire and the fender to decide the thickness of the spacer. Plus the company that made the spacers said that 5mm was the thinnest they make and still be hub and wheel centric. That was important to me. It prevents any problems with vibrations etc.

Ps I am very happy with these wheels, they are fairly light and very cheap, but still look good, I wanted something that looked like a BBS wheel but the Drag wheels were the only ones I could find in 15 x 7.

BTW there was a guy on the classified section selling a set of Drag 19s in 16 x 7 with nice tires for a good price, he may still have them.
thanks very much, your information is most helpful
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2014 | 04:32 PM
  #9  
CaptainKRM's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Land o Lakes, FL
Originally Posted by rwatson5651
I mounted them on the car, checked how close they came to the spring seat, measured the space between the outside of the tire and the fender to decide the thickness of the spacer. Plus the company that made the spacers said that 5mm was the thinnest they make and still be hub and wheel centric. That was important to me. It prevents any problems with vibrations etc.

Ps I am very happy with these wheels, they are fairly light and very cheap, but still look good, I wanted something that looked like a BBS wheel but the Drag wheels were the only ones I could find in 15 x 7.

BTW there was a guy on the classified section selling a set of Drag 19s in 16 x 7 with nice tires for a good price, he may still have them.
where did you purchase your spacers? thank you
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2014 | 04:47 PM
  #10  
ioTus's Avatar
'84 5-letter
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,219
Likes: 8
From: Washington State
Post some pics - i've been eyeing these in 15x8.25" for quite some time.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
diabolical1
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
30
Jan 30, 2016 05:50 AM
RaY358
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
5
Aug 19, 2015 11:44 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:45 PM.