rims question from a noob
 

i hate the stock 14" rims that came with my FC luxury trim (i hate them mostly because of the size, but they look good). i dont know much, if anything, about rim sizes but i do know that bolt patterns differ from car to car. whats the um...bolt..measurements? whats it mean when people say 4x114 or something? will any 15" stock FC rim fit my car?

thanks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...55noplates.jpg

This is all answered in the FAQ, stickied at top.

4x114 is the bolt pattern... 4 bolts x the distance in mms.

And uh, there are stock 15" and 16" rims.

Also, you should check the stickies at the top of the 2nd gen forum, such as https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249616 which has this post which talks about what kind of stock rims FCs had.

There are aftermarket 4bolts that are 15", but I dont see the point. All the stock 15" rims are for 5bolt hubs, and its probably a better idea to get some 5bolt hubs, possibly even the good 4pot brakes if youll ever need them, and some stock wheels.

Also, let me be the first to say BIGGER RIMS ISNT ALWAYS BETTER. Bigger diameter reduces sidewall, but adds weight and rotational interta, both of which are *bad*, and too little sidewall is also bad. Generally you should only have wheels just large enough to clear the brakes, if youre looking for performance. If you just want to bling it out, by all means throw on some stupid 20# 17" rims, but if you want to perform Id stick to 16" rims, and only go above that if you need wider tires, and get light rims.

Remember, a 15" and a 17" rim that both weigh the same, the 17" rim will have higher rotational inerta because the radius is bigger. IIRC rotational inerta goes up with the square of the radius, case in point.

That said, sticky tires is often more important than simply big ones. Ive seen people autocross on some sticky yokos at like 225 width on some stock wheels behind a swapped v8 in a 2nd gen that absolutely stomped everything - including the turbo rotary 2nd gens with the bling bling rims. Caveat Emptor.

what's wrong with getting aftermarket 4 bolts? doing a 5 lug conversion on an fc costs a lot doesnt it?

the Swap depends on how much you get the Parts for..and what you will be runnin..Like just the stock rims,or Bigger..True you can get bigger wheels in the 4 bolt pattern,but you would still have the same Brakes..Doin the Swap gives you 4 piston calipers up front..vented rotors in back....So it boils down to what you feel comfortable with,what your plans are with your car,and your Wallet..