Newbie with question on wheels and tires!
03-08-05, 04:36 PM
#1
Newbie with question on wheels and tires!
Since I am relatively new to the 7 and this forum, I need to ask for help and guidance from those more knowledgeable. My '93 is low in mileage and has a few reliability mods already, so I have decided to start the "process" with wheels and tires. I know others before have asked this question, but since I am learning, I would like to get a response tailored to me.
To give you a starting point, the original wheels and tires are still on the car, and I have decided to go with Volk's SF-Winning, and NITTO's NT-555 as replacements. I am sure there are more economical or lighter wheels out there, but these are what I like.
So the question is, what do I need to know, concerning wheel height, width, offset etc. before purchasing these two products? I know this is probably a rookie question to ask, but since I care about my car's reliability and appearance, I want to go into this with the most informed decision as possible. Thanks for your time and responses.
Mike
To give you a starting point, the original wheels and tires are still on the car, and I have decided to go with Volk's SF-Winning, and NITTO's NT-555 as replacements. I am sure there are more economical or lighter wheels out there, but these are what I like.
So the question is, what do I need to know, concerning wheel height, width, offset etc. before purchasing these two products? I know this is probably a rookie question to ask, but since I care about my car's reliability and appearance, I want to go into this with the most informed decision as possible. Thanks for your time and responses.
Mike
03-08-05, 05:01 PM
#2
Mike, a lot of ppl here will prob jump on you for going for heavier wheels. The stockers are super light, it's pretty hard to beat them. So if you're gonna go heavier, make sure it's worthwhile, and go a lot wider than stock. 17" wheels are great, 18s are as large as I'd go w/o making your handling go kaput.
As for sizes, it really depends on a lot of things, like if you're on stock suspension or not, cuz that's going to determine what you can clear. Also, you gotta see if you want equal sizes all around or a staggard setup (causing slight understeer). You can easily do 17s w/ 255s all around, on a 9.5" wheel. Another popular choice is 255 fronts and 275 rears, on either 17s or 18s. Fronts are usually 8.5s or 9s, rears are usually 9.5s or 10s. Offset again depends on the size of the wheel you're going w/. See this thread (my newbie thread lol) for more info regarding offsets: https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/need-just-lil-help-plz-232425/ but ideally, you'd like offsets as close to stock as possible (which is 50 all around)
Oh and for tire heights, I'd run a 35 or 40 profile on a thinner tire (245 or 255 fronts), and a 30 or 35 profile on a wider tire (30 or 35). I currently have 245/35/18s in the front, and 285/30/18s in the rear, on a stock suspension, no probs whatsoever. 285 is generally the widest you can go in the back w/o rubbing, and ditto w/ 255s in the front, assuming stock suspension. Some ppl have fit 285s in the front and 315s in the rear, but w/ some suspension work. Hope that helps some
As for sizes, it really depends on a lot of things, like if you're on stock suspension or not, cuz that's going to determine what you can clear. Also, you gotta see if you want equal sizes all around or a staggard setup (causing slight understeer). You can easily do 17s w/ 255s all around, on a 9.5" wheel. Another popular choice is 255 fronts and 275 rears, on either 17s or 18s. Fronts are usually 8.5s or 9s, rears are usually 9.5s or 10s. Offset again depends on the size of the wheel you're going w/. See this thread (my newbie thread lol) for more info regarding offsets: https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/need-just-lil-help-plz-232425/ but ideally, you'd like offsets as close to stock as possible (which is 50 all around)
Oh and for tire heights, I'd run a 35 or 40 profile on a thinner tire (245 or 255 fronts), and a 30 or 35 profile on a wider tire (30 or 35). I currently have 245/35/18s in the front, and 285/30/18s in the rear, on a stock suspension, no probs whatsoever. 285 is generally the widest you can go in the back w/o rubbing, and ditto w/ 255s in the front, assuming stock suspension. Some ppl have fit 285s in the front and 315s in the rear, but w/ some suspension work. Hope that helps some
Last edited by FDNewbie; 03-08-05 at 05:03 PM.