I just noticed on Toyo's website that they have RA1's in 275/35/18 and 305/35/18!

Anyone running these tire sizes on their 350Z?
Will they fit on my Track Ed. Z (with Brembos)?
What wheel size and offsets would I need?
Would I need to run negative camber front & back just to get them to clear?
Would I need to cut or roll the fenders?

Thanks!
Tom

 

My setup is close, but barely fits. I am running 285/30/18 and 315/30/18 on 18"x9.5" Nismos with +30 offset. My guess is that they will work with the same wheels and offset, but the only thing I am not sure about is the 35 profile. I know that if I ran 35 profile on my tires, they would not work. Needless to say, it can be done. The optimum setup for these tires I think would be a 18"x9.5" front wheel and 18"x10" rear both with +30 offset. I would be very curious to see if these work as I would like to try out some RA1s after my Michelin Pilot Sport Cups are gone.

 

Oh, I just noticed your sig. I don't think you should go with that wide a tire unless you have some serious power to back it up. Too much tire could slow you down.

 

Well I'm not drag racing, so I'll give up a few mph on the straight aways (top end) to be able to carry significantly more speed through the turns! "Serious power" is in the future plans...

Bottomline, I have a Track Ed. 2003 350Z running the stock 18" wheels & tires. I want to run R-Compound tires in a size/setup that is close ratio-wise to my stock setup so my speedo, VDC, etc. are not off/messed up. I noticed these RA1's and a 275/35/18 front is only 1.5% off (when speedo says 60mph, I am actually traveling 59.1mph) and 305/35/18 rear is only 1% off (so when speedo says 60mph, I am actually traveling 59.4mph). If my Z was a dedicated track car then I wouldn't worry about this, but it is also my DD. And yes I understand that I would not be running these RA1 as my daily tire, but I still have to get to/from the track and I don't have a trailer.

What is the best size (17" or 18") wheels and R-Compound tires I can run that will keep me close size ratio-wise to stock and that will clear my Brembos?

 

Well, you have to make sure that you have the power and speed to keep those huge meats hot and sticky. I also wouldn't let less than 1mph accuracy on the speedo play the major factor in deciding on track wheels/tires, but thats just me. Also, if big power plans are in your future I would go with 18s so you can add the bigger brakes when those Brembos aren't enough anymore. Otherwise, I would go 17s for cheaper tires. Nismo LMGT4s are super strong, lightweight, look good, and clear the Brembos.

 

if you have stock Track rims, you can run their 225/245 setup.. i dont think you should go any wider unless you get wider wheels-



i'm interested to see if i can run their 275/35 on my 9.5wide LMGT4s... ;P

 

I bought my car used with 245/275 tires on the stock track rims.

 

I would definately get wider wheels than my stock track ed. wheels. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that. I like the CCW Classic race wheel, which they will make in 17" or 18" with custom width and offsets. I just need to know what I would need to run those RA1s and if they would clear or not. Sounds like according to 350ZNV that it would be extremely close.

I like the Volk TE37 MAGs (1" wider than the normal TE37's with 9.5" front and 10.5" rear I believe) in black to go with my LeMans Sunset Z. What size R-Compound cold I run with them?

 

It will be close, but my setup is without rolled fenders so if your setup rubs a little, rolling the fenders should fix it.

 

275's up front fit no problem? If I have to roll the rear fenders to get 305's to fit I can do that.

 

I think the 275s will be ok. Its all about the wheel offset.

EDIT: Let me re-phrase that. I know 275s will fit, but I don't know about 275/35/18. I don't see that it would make that much of a difference between the 285/30/18 that I am running.

 

Tom, before you make a wheel/tire choice, take a look at the highlighted wheel widths in the "Rim Width Range" on the RA-1 spec sheet. To run a 305 tire you should be looking at at least an 11" rim. A smaller tire on a larger rim is better than a huge tire on a narrow rim. Most, if not all 17" wheels clear OEM Brembo's.

I just got my 17x9 & 17x10 rims to mount 255/40 & 275/40 RA-1's.

 

I have 275/35R18 on 9.5x18 +30 and they fit the front fine.

Chris

 

Here is a question - RA1 suggest that you run around a -3 degree camber. With the stock Z not having Camber adjustment - wounldn't it be better to stick with smaller tires?
As far as wheels - you will have to make the choice. But, I agree with 350znv, if you get more power - you need bigger brakes. Look at the brake kits available - choose one, then make sure your track wheels will fit around these. That way when you eventually upgrade the brakes, you can keep the wheels. The only thing else to look at wheels is: strong, light, and open (for brake cooling). The last things I would worry about is price and looks!

 

Pics?

 

I wish I had the budget to be able to say the last things I would worry about is price and looks, but I hear you on the planning ahead for future BBK. That is actually the whole reason for this thread and me trying to do my homework, understand things and trying to plan ahead. My budget can barely afford to do it the first time around, if you know what I mean...

 

Here is my input.

The best track setup you can get for the Z is to do a 275/35 (or similar) square setup all the way around. That way you tend to have a more neutral and balanced car on the track and can use suspension and air pressure adjustments to fine to tune the car. This also allows you to make each tire last longer with rotations. Maybe with massive power (i.e., 500 whp) you may need to go bigger in the rear -- but a staggered setup for track purposes is usually not the preferred setup. I know for a fact that 18 x 9.5 +30et NISMO rear wheels w/ 275/35 RA1s works as a track setup all the way around. As Mike said -- going too big on tire could actually hurt you as you may not be able to get enough heat into the tires to get them up to temp.

Next question -- 18" vereus 17" (which Mike mentioned). I believe that the 13" Stoptech kit (with the two piston rear kit) is plenty of brake for our cars. The fact that the Grand Am guys are using the 13" kit tells me it's plenty for them (which means it's plenty for me) and it allows you up to run 17" wheels which will save you a ton of $$$ in tire money. Now what do i have on my Z -- I have the 14" Stoptech kit all around. It's one of the few things I have done to the Z that I regret (and Jeff and Stoptech tried to talk me out of it). I really wish I had gone with the 13" kit. The 14" kit is not necessary.

Now with your stock track wheels -- I don't think 275/35 will fit. You will need to get some wider wheels. Again though -- I would look at getting wider 17's (that will clear your Brembros) and saving money on tires in the long run.

Or do what I did -- make your Z a garage queen and get a dedicated track/race car (mine uses 15" RA1s -- which are nice and cheap).

 

Well, I got my Z to drive it. I already have a 993C2S garage queen. I don't need two. I got my Z to have something light and nimble and feels like my 9, but it a lot cheaper to maintain and upgrade.

Will 275's at all 4 corners mess up my VDC?
The 13" StopTech kit is that rotors or calipers too?

Right now, other than needing to get more cooling to the front rotors, I am pretty pleased with the Brembos and CARBOTECH pads I am using.

I would love to get a dedicated track/race car, but if I ever did something like that it would be something open wheel I think. But until I get the "infrastructure" in place (tow vehicle and trailer), I'll run my Z-girl and enjoy that. Which my first gig with it was Easter weekend at Summit Point and I had a blast! I really enjoyed it and had a great time.

Pocono in May...

 

I have a bunch here.
http://www.hypersprite.com/auto/picture-z-017

My setup is 275/35~275/40 on Nismo 9.5x18 +30 all the way around. This setup is fine for TCS/VDC but can't be rotated without dismounting the tires.

Chris

 

I am running 275/35/18 RA1s at all 4 corners on 9.5" Volk CE28N W +28 offsets. I have not cut or rolled the fenders but there is very very slight evidence that they are rubbing on the front fenders, it seems to be only in the turns. My camber is set at about -2.7 front & -2.1 rear I need to find my spec sheet to be sure.