sicminded

Hi all, need some help on a decision here. Been in search for some 17s for a while now, and I think I've narrowed it down to these two wheels:

5zigen fn01rc's:
17x8 +43 with a 235/45 tire
17x9 +43 with a 255/40 tire


OR

Racing Sparco nt-r's:
17x9 +45 front and back with a 255/40 tire



Personally I like the 5zigen look better, I'm a fan of 5 thicker spoked wheels. But the offset of the 17x9 (+43) is cutting it close to be used up front. The NT-R's on the other hand have a nice offset of +45, and from what I've read/searched, it is a very nice setup because of the 255/40 tire you can run both front and rear, neutral balance, and also being able to rotate the wheels.

As much as I would like to consider other wheels, these are within my budget. They cost about the same. I think the 5zigen route would be slightly cheaper only because of wheel width and tire size up front.

thanks for taking a look,
chris

limbar85

iTrader: (21)

the sparcos look......rather cheap and quick to fall apart. id go with the 5zigens. and u can get 245s on 8 inchwide tires too

rynberg

Chris,

Buy the 5zigens and run 17x9-255/40 at all four corners. See if there is a problem with catching the fender lip. If not, you're set, if it does, roll the front fenders.

The 5zigens look a lot better to me than the Sparcos....and you'll like the 255/40 symmetrical fitment on the street better.

sicminded

thanks for the responses.

as much as i want to try the 17x9 +43 all around with the 255/40 tire... i want absolutely no rubbing, or minimal atleast. can't believe the difference of 2 in offsets is the difference of chance of rubbing, and near optimal setup.

i'm going to look into fender rolling now. what are the chances the 17x9 +43 will rub with the fenders rolled?

i am also planning on going with some shocks and eibachs, and i don't think it will be helping minimize rubbing with the 17x9 +43.

chris

rynberg

It's possible to catch the fender lip with the stock wheels and tires, given the right conditions....I've done it.

Unless you are lowered more than an inch, I doubt you'll have any issues with catching the fender lip with those 17x9 +43 with 255/40. You will have to be careful in certain situations like entering steep driveways or similar, but in any kind of actual driving situation, I doubt you'd have any issues. If you do, rolling the fenders will completely solve the problem.

emopunk96

5zigens IMO are nicer

sicminded

Thanks all.

I just ordered the 5zigens 17x9 +43 with 255/40 tire all around! I ordered them silver metallic finish. I went with the new falken azenis rt-615's. The tread design doesn't appeal to me, but according to that tire shoout thread posted not too long ago, it did very well. I've also contacted a shop about rolling the front fenders for insurance. Will be getting eibachs with some koni's or tokicos hopefully by the end of the month. Hope everything goes right.

late,
chris

owen is fat

awesome choice with wheels and glad to see you went 255 all round, thats a good idea for an FD.

I had the fno1rc in 17x8 and 17x9 with a 235 front and 255 rear on my FC and it was wonderful.. a little under-tired in front but it had very nimble handling and good grip. now I've moved up to a wider 10'' all around setup on the same wheel model... I love the fno1rc.

I think youre gonna love those new azenis, they are pretty stiff and super grippy. Let us know what you think once you get 'em on!

sicminded

yea, i will definately write up a review. i'm expecting the tires to be sticky. as i mentioned above, it did 4th overall in the tire shoot out sponsored by tirerack. i just realized that this is for the older model! the ones i ordered are the new generation of falken azenis and out performs its predecessor in 6 out of 8 categories (falkentire.com). can't wait...

chris

sevensix

iTrader: (1)

im curious if there's going to be any rubbing with the 255s. can you use the fenderliner with this size rubber? and u're lowering the car as well? this will be interesting

sicminded

yea, i agree it's going to be close.

according to the calculations of the spreadsheet i downloaded on this forum, to maintain a 0.23" of clearance for the front fender with a 17x9, you need a +44 offset.

i've contacted and searched other people's setup, and a 17x9 with a +45 offset is optimal, which gives a 0.27" clearance for the front fender. i know atleast two people on this forum running 17x9 +45 with a 255/40 tire, even lowered, with no rubbing at all. (okay, their maybe no such thing as no rubbing at all, especially with lowering springs.... so maybe 99% no rubbing).

then again, the wheels i ordered are +43 offset. according to the spreadsheet's calculation, i will have a 0.19" of clearance from the front fender. thats a difference of 0.04" compared to the +44 offset, and a difference of .08" compared to the +45 offset. its going to be very close.

i don't know if i'm going to find out if the wheels i ordered will clear the stock fenders without rolling them because i will most likely get my fender rolled even before i get the wheels and tires. i'm not gonna wait until i rub to get my fenders rolled, and i am also rolling them either way for extra insurance.

i've also looked into the rsr race springs as they only lower the car by .4" in the front and back, according to rx7store.net.

if any off my calculations are off, please tell me so.

thanks,
chris

SleepR1

SleepR1 Fitment Rides Again! Chris Regan (CrispyRx7) and I, should have patented this fitment for FD Rx7s--what do you say Crispy--we can go 50/50 on all wheel/tire sales. Should be enough to finance the fix LOL Peace all!

sicminded

LOL --->>> https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/new-wheel-pics-5zigen-fn01r-c-rubbing-443911/

chris

SleepR1

I had no rubbing with my old 9 x 17, +45 offset SSR Integrals with either 255/40-17 Yokohama AVS Intermediates or Pirelli P6000s. The rubbing is minor with some other cars. radkins had this problem with his 5Zigen 9x 17 +43s, and 255/40-17 S03s all around. He switched to 235/40-17 S03s. Problem solved. PM him for more details. Good luck!

sicminded

i may have solved the problem. checked the other thread again.

thanks,
chris