Wheels
 

I have an 85 GSL with teh 13" wheels. Being new at this I have a few questions concerning wheels and tires:

1. From what I have read there is no issue increasing the wheel size to 14". This certainly increases the tire options. Is there a recommendation on a particular wheel for the GSL? I am looking for something reasonable in price.

2. Does anyone have experience on how this this affects gas milage, handling, even the odo?

Thanks in advance.

Walt

One more question on the use of 14" wheels for a GSL: what is a recommendation regarding tire size? I was hoping to use a 205 width.

Thanks again.

Walt

205, even 215, can be used on stock 13", the 14" you are talking of is the Limited Edition wheel. Most aftermarket wheels are 15".

Go with a 15" wheel, and 205/50-15 tires. This combo is ~3mm overall difference in diameter. Speedo will read as acturate as it currently does, at any speed the car is actually capable of reaching.
Tires in this size are also plentiful. Thankfully, this size is very popular with the Miata and several hondas, so choices abound.

Is there a specific inexpensive wheel that you would recommend with the correct off-set and all that?

Konig offers their "Rewind" wheel in a 15x7 +20mm offset. They fit perfectly. There is a vendor here on the forum selling these wheels for $500/set (if I recall correctly) or $125 each. That's about the best deal going anywhere for wheels that will actually fit this odd bolt pattern (4x110).
Several forum members have bought these wheels, thru the vendor, and have reported nothing but good things about the whole ordeal.

I certainly agree with the Konig Rewinds, which I have on my 82 and love 'em. His car is an 85. Would it still have the 4X110 bolt pattern?

According to his original post:
Then, yes. If it has 13" wheels, it has 4x110 bolt pattern. 13s will not fit over the GSL-SE brakes.

you mean i can put 15 inch wheels on my stock 13's? and it wont fall off the rim?

Dang those Konig Rewinds look great!!! Besides, they are cheaper then the 8-spokes being sold by Black Dragon.

The next logical question is what is the appropriate tire size for such a wheel? 205/50 or perhaps a 225/50?

Thanks again. Rather new at this and I find the info very helpful. Wish someone could comment on my radio probelm - cannot turn teh damn thing off and retract the antennea!!!

205/50-15 is less than 3mm overall diameter difference from the stock 185/70-13, yet add close to 2" additional rubber to the ground.
225's will barely clear on the rear. Forget about it on the front. 215's are hard enough fit up front.

205/50s are the way to go.

I just looked at some Rewinds on Ebay for $90 each plus shipping ($11). Just search 4X110 and it will come up near the bottom.

Scott

I was told that i could put 225/50 on the rewinds without rubbing that what im going to do its only going to be like $950 not too bad for the whole thing and good rubber on them

Without lowering it, you may be able to get them on the front.
My car sits so low, that 205/50-15's on 15x7 +15 offset wheels, my fenders (front and rear) had to be rolled to save the sidewalls. The rewinds are +20 offset, so that would give an extra 5mm clearance to the fender lips, but with 225's, you'll be 5mm further out than mine are.
I have 10+ year old ST springs, that have "settled" just a tad........

Anyone have any sucess with 16" rims

I tried to get 16-17-18's in 110....an adaptor is available from 110 to a more popular sizeing, but it offsets the wheels too wide for my stock gaurds. I thought they might cause extra load on the berrings too. I stuck with my 14's and run 205 60's. 15's are the go i've been told...but i love the look of the big wheels. :dunno:

I have a 1985 GSL and I am planning on getting the Konig Rewind and was wondering if 205/55/15 will fit. I know the 205/50/15 will fit.

Have fun with that. My 205/50/15 rewinds just clear the fenders and I just clear the front RB springs. I used a 1/8" spacer just to be safe.

http://foxed.ca/RX-7/may08/small/DSCN2881.jpg
http://foxed.ca/RX-7/may08/small/DSCN2872.jpg
http://foxed.ca/RX-7/may08/small/DSCN2877.jpg

Going with rims larger than 15" just look out of place, imho. I know some will disagree, but 15s seems to be the best fit and look for a 1st gen. By the time one gets the correct profile on a tire of 16"+, to keep the speedo accurate, the sidewalls are very short, subjecting both the tires and rims to pothole damage. The tire pressures also have to be much higher than a taller profile tire leading to a much rougher ride.