I actually like my stock GXL wheels an don't really want to change them, but I would like to put fatter tires on it like 245's. My plan is to get the wheels widend so I can keep the stock look and have bigger tires.
The questions are:
A: is it a good idea?
B: how much wider must the wheels be?
C: Widest tire size for front and back without major mods?

 

if anyone can answer the above, im in about the same boat. i have a set of 5 spoke 91 coupe rims, 91 bss vert rims, and my stock 86 GXL 5 lug rims. are the widest that i can go for the gxl & coupe rims 215? 225? how is it for the vert rims since its 6.5 and not 6 like the other two?

 

I doubt it would be worth it. 1-piece wheels CAN be widened by welding extra "rim", but to the inside only. They will be weakened somewhat, on the order of 25-35%. Depending on clearances of the wheels, you'd likely have to also use some hub spacers. Between the cost of the two, just buy yourself some properly-sized aftermarket wheels.

 

i already have the rims in my possession, just wondering what i could fit on them. i guess its just 215s then eh.

 

sorry, double post.

 

i wouldn't go any larger than 215's on them...

 

The shop says they can do all 4 for the price of one aftermarket wheel of the same size

 

Generally the cost is around 250 per wheel. There is about an inch of room to the inside on an FC to be gained (~6" backspace max). For ~750.00 you can buy 17x8s from TSW(and many others) I would run 17x8 witha 235-40-17 all around. That should fit without a problem. You can go wider in the back, but that's about max in the front without body mods. Carl

 

FC NA's are faster on stock wheels due to tire diameter and rotating mass. I lost roughly .05g in first gear when I changed from 91 coupe wheels with 205 Potenzas to 300zx wheels with 225/50 Comp T/A's.

I wish I could widen my 91 coupe wheels a little . . but you can fit 225/50 tires on the convertible bbs wheels. Autocrossers do it all the time, and 225 maxes out the front fender well anyhow.

 

You could do 225s on the stock 7" wheels, but you'd probably want to make sure you got a tire with a stiff sidewall.