Hey guys I could use some input. I was thinking of putting a set of 19" wheels on my FD, but unsure of what widths of rim and tires to go with especially the front. My Fd setup consist of Eibach springs with tokico illuminas which lowered my FD about 1" on all four corners. I was thinking of putting 19x8.5 fronts with 235/35/19 and 19x9.5 rear with 275/35/19 or 285/30/19. I'm really skeptical about 19" wheels fitting in the front of my FD because my FD is lowered about 1" . I would really appreciate any help with sharring your knowledge or experience with this subject. I would also appreciate any pics anyone might have. Thanks..Tony

 

It's just wrong.

Don't ruin the looks and handling of your car by submitting yourself to this cultural abnormality. Even if it can be done..........:rolleyes

The first time you hit a small pothole and demolish a $500 to $2,000 rim and tire you'll kick yourself in the *** repeatedly.

I've got 18's (even though I still like the way they look) and should have stayed with 17's for best all around performance AND looks. Extra unsprung weight sucks.

Just my opinion.

 

Biggest I would go is 17's.

 

If you like the "lifted truck" look and handling 19s are the way to go, But I wouldn't put them on my car.

 

Like others have said, why add uncecessary (sp?) weight in the name of cosmetics? I mean it might not be a huge difference in weight but FD's are sexy as hell without 19s, id go 17 and use the money you saved toward new brakes or something like that, that way you get looks AND function....just a thought.
-stephen

 

i was a big fan of the 18's until i met donovan. his 17's fit like a glove(not OJ's glove) and look big. im thinking about 17's, but that will be with the rest of the wishes after the car is paid off.
kris

 

depending on what your preferences are I think 19s look awesome on FDs! I used to run 20s on mine but they were a bit too big. I ve got 18s on now but I dont think they fill the guards enough though. If you you want them for street crusing go the 19s for sure!

and for the weight obsessed just to let you know my 20s with tyres were 25kgs each as compared to 23kgs for the 18s. not alot of difference!

 

Thanks for all the input so far. The reason I want 19s is because my 7 is mainly a show car, not a track car. I used to have a Supra, and I've had my time with racing. Now I'm interested in building a complete show FD with a little performance. So please keep on sharing your input. My main concern is will the 19s fit on a Fd thats been lowered 1 inch? And if so with what rim widths and what tire profiles and widths? thanks..Tony

 

Stick with 17's.... Tires are cheap, wheels are getting cheaper too... Buy some CCW 17 x 10's for that and I swear you won't be sorry!

www.ccwheel.com


Brad Apold

 

If that's your main concern than you should go ahead and buy 19's. Lets say you were to go with 17's. People would likely rap them with 245/40/17f and 275/40/17. Those wheel diameters are 24.84"f and 25.8"r. Now lets say you were to go with 19's and want to keep wheel diameter to a minimal. You would want 225/35/19f and 265/30/19r. And those wheel diameters are 25.3"f and 25.36"r. The fronts you would have only lost .23" of lowering space. The rears you would have gained .22" of lowering space. So as you can see, you won't gain or lose that much lowering space. What you probably want to get are a set of coilovers. I used to run 245/40/18f and 285/35/18r. Those diameters are 25.98"f and 25.84"r with no rubbing whatsoever. I had eibach 1" springs with stock base model shocks. I figured I had another .75" if I got coilovers. If I had those sizes without rubbing, you should be able to run 245/35/19f and 285/30/19r with no problems. Of course you would also need the right offsets also.

It's all up to you man. Of course people with hate on you if you get 19's, especially people that don't have them. But then there are people that will love them. You will lose performace but how many times have you been to the track and saw someone race with expensive wheels? Most people switch them out right? And if 19" wheels give out such poor performance, why do Porsche and Ferrari come stock with them?? Aren't they known to be the best handling cars?

 

Those might be a bit tall:

275/40/17's are about 25.6".... the equivalent 19" size will be around 275/30/19

On the front, 235/45/17 is common... 25.3" diameter... some folks try 255/40/17 (25" diameter) or 245/40/17 (24.7") but not with those tall rears. The best 19" size would be a 235/35/19 or 225/35/19 to be a little safer on the front.

 

Because Porsche and Ferrari customers have money. They want the biggest, blingiest wheels/tires that come stock with their cars.

Performance and handling are not the main "drivers" for choosing 19-inch wheel diameters. 19s are all about looks. If you're into that, then, that's fine. It's a free country, and it's YOUR MONEY.

Just keep in mind everyone's comments. They posted their intellegent opinions to help you--not because they have any envy for 19-inch wheels...

 

I was at an event racing a while back and had a bad Hoosier race tire on my rear...My friend let me run both of his 18's off his NSX and the car never handled so good.... kinda like the NSX and Z06 sort of thing with 17's in the front and 18's in the back... Its something I've seriously considered.

anyway.

 

FWIW, it's the next track-only setup I'm considering:

9.5 x 17, 47-mm offset front with 245/40-17; 10.5 x 18, 45-mm offset rear with 285/30-18. Wheels are Volk CE28N. Tires are Hoosier R3S03s.

 

Exactly! that is an awesome setup. I think 275's would be as wide as I could go (91 TII), but the 18's on the back are cool...It looks pretty cool too. I told my buddy that my car handled better with those 18's on back, and he looked at me like I was crazy He had some Toyo garbage on there too and it stuck.... I was happy though!

Its a big investment on wheels though, and then to find out your not dig'n the 17 & 18 thang would be a huge drag......I'd try them on the car first..ya know?



Brad

 

ttt

 

this is my car 1" lowered on 19's. You can see it looks alittle jacked up. My advice if you get 19's is to get coilovers cause the lowest springs for an FD are Tanabe Super Down which claims 2" but only actually lowers 1.5" or less. I'm going to have to lower mine another inch to make it look right

 

Hell, that looks nice with those 19's.... That car will look really cool when its done....

cheers mate!

 

The latest issue of RX-7 Magazine (#16) Has an article about 19"s they recommend 235/35f and 365/30r on 19x8.5 and 19x9.5.

There are photos of Volk GT-C and Rays Victrix Freeger both in 19s (duh) on a R-Magic demo car, looks nice.

If you want 19s who cares what other people think, its just money, I was thinking about 19" TE37's, sure, it defeats the purpose of having a light wheel, but you still have stock rims for the track, right? =)

If I can waste money on 18's for my FC, I'd be disappointing my next FD by not getting something better for it.

btw these are the setups they used:

rays volk gt-c
f: 19x8.5j +27
r: 19x8.5j +24

rays victirx freeger
f: 19x8.5j +33
r: 19x9.5j +37

 

19s make stock FD brake rotors and calipers look really small!

 

I personally wouldn't buy19's because I race my car and tires would put me in the poor house 3 times a year, but 19's, hey they look great, especially on a FD. Ya, the rotors and calipers look a tad bit smaller, but I say if you want 19's go buy them....You gotta be original and Its better than everyone running around with the same wheels..ya know?

Justin, those tire sizes you listed, is that really 365? or should it be 265?? ohhhh can you imagine a 365 on an FD? cool!

Brad

 

Coilovers and a big brake kit are my next upgrades so it's not a problem for me. These 19's do look silly with stock brakes though

 

You're right, it was a typo, I was looking at the page and typing, didn't bother to proofread.

 

I have 18's and I'm thinking of going 19" too. IMO, it's ok to sacrifice a little performance so that the car looks better. Part of having an FD is picking up chicks and taking them for a ride

 

redtt are those gtc's face1 or face 2?